Want to go to uni in Glasgow? Here are 13 reasons why that’s a great idea.
Updated: 12 Jul 2026
Glasgow is the perfect destination for students looking to pursue a quality education and live in an exciting and vibrant city. The city is home to universities including the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Strathclyde. In addition to its world-class unis, Glasgow offers an abundance of culture, art and entertainment. From its iconic Victorian architecture to its lively nightlife and thriving music scene, there's something for everyone in this great city, and here are 13 reasons why you’ll love studying here.
Glasgow is full of iconic architecture, world-renowned museums, and fascinating galleries. Popular galleries include the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and the Hunterian Gallery. Museums include the People’s Palace and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
From the University of Glasgow to Strathclyde University, students can pursue a range of degrees in Scotland’s second city. There are hundreds of different degree courses to choose from in Glasgow, so you’ll be able to find plenty of options that interest you.
Glasgow is one of the most affordable cities for students to live in the UK, with lower average rent costs than many other cities in the UK.
With many businesses offering student discounts and some universities offering free bus travel, studying in Glasgow doesn't need to be expensive. Make sure you take your student ID out with you to make the most of these offers and discounts.
Excellent transportation links make getting around Glasgow quick and easy. The city has a great bus network as well as a subway system. There’s also mainline train stations in the city offering direct trains to cities including Edinburgh and London.
While studying, you can easily find part-time work within the city limits or further afield. The city has plenty of bars, restaurants and shops where students can find part-time hospitality or retail work, and there are also a lot of businesses open to taking on students for internships or work experience.
Glasgow is home to world-famous venues as well as independent music nights. No matter what genres of music you like, you’ll be sure to find many live music events showcasing your favourite genres. The OVO Hydro in Glasgow is Scotland’s largest music venue, and you’ll find some big names playing shows there.
With green parks such as Kelvingrove Park just minutes away, there are plenty of opportunities to take a break from studying during sunny days. Have a stroll, or have a picnic with friends, but make sure you’re taking advantage of your time away from your studies.
From classic fish & chips shops with deep-fried Mars bars (a Glaswegian delicacy) to nice sit-down restaurants with food from all over the world, you’ll find it all in Glasgow. Whether you want a takeaway with flatmates or you’re going on a date night, the city has you covered.
From rugby to football and many more sports across the city, there's something for everyone when it comes to staying active whilst studying. You can watch matches at one of Glasgow’s stadiums, or get involved in playing yourself through local teams and the universities’ societies.
There is always something going on in this lively city with summer festivals taking place throughout June till August and winter markets popping up over the festive period too. TRNSMT festival takes place in Glasgow over the summer and you’ll also find events such as Glasgow Film Festival taking place throughout the year.
The city is known for being friendly, welcoming and diverse. Glasgow also hosts Scotland’s largest Pride Festival, and the city is known for being welcoming to the LGBT+ community, with lots of businesses displaying Pride flags.
Since it’s a major international hub it’s very easy for students from all over the world to meet people here from different cultures and backgrounds, which greatly enriches their experience of living in Scotland. The other benefit of it being an international hub is that it’s easy to travel from Glasgow to other cities across the world. Glasgow is one of the UK’s top student cities, with three unis and a high student population.
The University of Glasgow is one of the oldest in the world, established in 1451. It's also Scotland’s second largest university, with more than 26,000 students.
Strathclyde University offers a variety of degree programs in business and economics, engineering and medicine and has enrolled over 18,000 students.
Glasgow Caledonian University has a student population of over 10,000 and offers over 80 different degrees at undergraduate level to choose from.
With such an impressive selection of higher education institutions, it’s no surprise that Glasgow is consistently ranked among the top student cities in Europe.
Glasgow is a brilliant student city with lots of things to see and do. From visiting the vibrant West End, exploring the historic Kelvingrove Art Gallery, or taking part in some of the fantastic music and art festivals around the city – there’s something for everyone. Students can also enjoy socialising at one of Glasgow's many pubs or clubs, with over 400 venues across the city. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants to choose from too, as well as retail stores to explore on bustling Buchanan Street. Finally, Glasgow is surrounded by stunning countryside which offers a great escape from city life, so there really is something for any mood here.
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