University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow has been educating students since 1451. It ranks firmly in the top 100 universities globally, coming 79th in the QS World University Rankings (2026) and 87th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2025). In 2024, it was named Scottish University of the Year by The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide.

The University of Glasgow is a truly international organisation, home to around 43,000 students from over 140 countries, supported by a community of over 9,000 staff. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities and a founding member of Universitas 21, a network of global research-focused institutions.

Undergraduate students can choose from around 100 single-honours degrees and more than 600 joint-honours combinations. Furthermore, the university offers over 300 postgraduate taught programmes and a wide range of PhD opportunities.

The University of Glasgow ranks among the UK's top 20 for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022), meaning students can be confident their degree will prepare them for life after graduation. The university provides hundreds of internships each year through its Internship Hub, and its strong student support services assist with academic, lifestyle and financial matters.

The city of Glasgow is the third largest in the UK and is regarded as one of the world's top student cities for friendliness and culture. Known as Scotland's cultural capital, it boasts leading museums, galleries and architecture. Glasgow was the UK's first UNESCO City of Music, and with over 90 parks and gardens plus strong transport links and two international airports, it offers an ideal environment for study and travel.

Learning and teaching at the University of Glasgow is developed in a research-focused environment.

The university's diverse community of passionate learners and teachers work together to shape skilled and highly competitive graduates who have the confidence to make positive changes in their society. The curricula offered to students are supported by professional teaching practices and outstanding facilities.

The University of Glasgow's teaching community is a diverse group of individuals from a broad geographical and socio-economic background, who enter the university based on aptitude and potential. As a result, students benefit from globally relevant curricula and challenging course content.

Students will also be offered English language skills development, if required, to help them make the most of the international opportunities available to them.

The University of Glasgow has several notable alumni, from Joseph Lister who introduced the world to antiseptic, all the way to Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland. It even welcomed Albert Einstein in 1933 to give a lecture on the theory of relativity.

The University of Glasgow has four colleges, each bringing together the research and teaching expertise of a number of schools and institutes. Every college has a graduate school.

The College of Arts

The College of Arts has been at the forefront of delivering world-leading teaching, learning and research in the arts and humanities since the university's inception. The University of Glasgow is in the world's top 70 universities for arts and humanities (2019 QS Faculty World Rankings).

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences

The College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences was established in 2010 and is made up of globally renowned academic experts who work in ultra-modern facilities, to enhance health around the globe. The college has a reputation for excellent research-led teaching, and it works hard to prepare students for a range of careers in the professional world.

The College of Science and Engineering

Its world-leading research and its impact on the global economy make the College of Science and Engineering an exciting and stimulating environment to study in. The college conducts research across seven academic disciplines, ranging from foundational discoveries to emerging technologies and dealing with pressing new societal challenges.

The College of Social Sciences

The College of Social Sciences enjoys an international reputation for its research contributions and heads the university's ambitions to grow international recruitment for taught postgraduate programmes. Within the college is the Adam Smith Business School which has gained triple accreditation, meaning it's part of a small and elite group of less than one per cent of business schools worldwide.

Specific international entry requirements at the University of Glasgow vary between courses. General requirements can be found on the university website and can be filtered by students' home country or region.

International students for whom English is not a first language must usually also evidence their English language proficiency. The required level of English varies between subjects and the level of study. A range of English language tests are accepted by the university.

USA

Exact entry requirements differ depending on the study programme, but as an example, the minimum entry requirements for students from the USA are as follows:

Undergraduate Level

• SAT/AP:
  • Method 1:
    • Sat: 1280 or ACT: 27
    • Plus, in relevant subjects: 2 x AP examinations: 4+ or 2 x SAT subject test: 600+
  • Method 2:
    • In relevant subjects 3 x AP examinations: 4+ or 3 x SAT subject test: 600+
• A Levels: BBB – AAB
• International Baccalaureate: 32 – 36 points with specific subjects at higher level
• High School Diploma: Usually not accepted for entry – see entry to foundation.

Foundation: Glasgow International College

Successful completion of a High School Diploma. On completion of a Foundation Certificate, with the minimum required scores, students will progress directly to year two of the bachelor's degree at the university of Glasgow.

Postgraduate Taught

Successful completion of bachelor's degree from a recognised university or college with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. Scores below this can be considered for a pre-master's programme at Glasgow International College.

Postgraduate Research

Successful completion of a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or college with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0. Some PhD programmes will also require completion of a masters.

Students at the University of Glasgow benefit from the university's state-of-the-art laboratories and facilities for research and study, numerous recreational areas for fitness, and on-campus residential options for a fulfilling student experience.

Electronic Facilities

• High-performance computing facilities for design and simulation
• Design/simulation software like Cadence, Lumerical, Tempest, Agilent ADS and Synopsys
• The Glasgow Laboratory for Advanced Detector Development (GLADD) – an electronic device fabrication and test facility

Learning Facilities

• One of Europe's largest libraries with 24/7 online access. Spanning 12 Wi-fi enabled floors the library is home to more than 2.5 million books and journals and over 30,000 e-books and e-journals
• The Hunterian at Kelvin Hall. One of the world's leading university museums and a centre of excellence for research, teaching and public engagement
• A GBP 27 million purpose-built Queen Elizabeth Teaching and Learning Centre for the training of undergraduate medical, nursing and postgraduate students, alongside NHS doctors, nurses and allied health professionals
• The James Watt Nanofabrication Centre has comprehensive micro and nanofabrication facilities housed within 750m2 of cleanroom space including one of the most advanced large-area, high-resolution electron beam lithography tools in the world

Sports Facilities

Sporting facilities available across campus include:

• Six-lane, 25m swimming pool
• Sauna and steam rooms
• Power Play Strength suite
• Pulse Cardio suite
• Activity hall
• Competition sports hall
• Exercise studios
• Squash courts
• Tennis courts
• Cricket oval

Residential Options

Students are guaranteed accommodation if they study full-time. There is a variety of flat and room types at varying costs to choose from. All residences have fully trained living support staff including wardens and support assistants.

Some of the scholarships on offer to international students at Glasgow include:

World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship is available to new international undergraduate students. It is awarded as a GBP 7,000 tuition fee discount (per year of study) and is subject to satisfactory progress for consecutive years of study.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Demonstrate excellent academic achievement before starting university
• Be classed as international students for fee purposes
• Hold an offer of a place for an undergraduate programme

University Global Leadership Scholarship

The University of Glasgow has 300 International Leadership Scholarships available to international students starting a postgraduate taught master's programme in any discipline. The scholarship of GBP 10,000 is awarded as a tuition fee discount.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Show strong academic ability and get grades equivalent to UK first class honours
• Have an offer for a place in a postgraduate taught programme
• Be classed as an international student for fee purposes

The University of Glasgow is committed to investing GBP 1 billion into a new campus to benefit students for years to come. It is currently working on a number of projects designed to augment the study experience, including new accommodation, social spaces, and an injection of over GBP 20 million into its School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine.

Recent, state-of-the-art additions to the campus include:

James McCune Smith Learning Hub

Having opened in 2021, this GBP 90.6 million cutting-edge learning facility has capacity for 2,500 students. It provides diverse, inspiring spaces to support collaborative and flexible teaching and learning.

Advanced Research Centre (ARC)

Opened in June 2022, the GBP 113 million ARC is the university's flagship interdisciplinary research hub. It is home to over 600 academics, bringing together leading researchers across fields to enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration, societal impact and innovation.