Why study in Glasgow?

Architecture

Despite its industrial roots, Glasgow is known as ‘Scotland with Style’. The city is a monument to architecture and design, with striking examples of Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s trademark Art Noveau design in the likes of Glasgow School of Art and House for an Art Lover. The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Architecture, Design and the City, also houses a changing programme of exhibitions and events, and plays a key role in a number of significant design projects.

Art

Other cultural highlights of the city include the recently refurbished landmark Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, the impressive Gallery of Modern Art, the Burrell Collection in the city’s south side and the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT). Glasgow is also home to Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera, adding to the city’s exciting international appeal and making it easy to see why Glasgow was once voted European City of Culture.

Recently honoured as a UNESCO City of Music, the lively music scene has produced countless famous and ground-breaking artists, including – in recent times – Franz Ferdinand, The Fratellis, and Glasvegas. Glasgow’s renowned music venues, such as the legendary Barrowlands, showcase an endless stream of musical talent and, in fact, Oasis were discovered in one of the city’s most celebrated venues, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut.

In sporting terms, Glasgow is perhaps most famous for football, with the city boasting Scotland’s largest football stadia (Celtic Park, Ibrox Stadium and Hampden Park) and three professional football clubs. However, Glasgow’s love of sport does not end there. Rugby, athletics, badminton, rowing and even shinty, amongst countless other sports, are all enjoyed across the city. In fact, testament to its vibrant cultural appeal, welcoming atmosphere and top-notch sporting facilities, in 2007 Glasgow was chosen to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

If you’re after some retail therapy, Glasgow is second only to London for the best shopping experience in the UK. From giant high street shopping malls like Buchanan Galleries, to the exclusive Princes Square development and designer Italian Centre, you’ll find plenty of excuses to spend some cash or just window-shop.

A dazzling array of bars, restaurants, clubs, theatres and cinemas all combine to create an unrivalled nightlife that attracts visitors from all over the UK and beyond. In addition to these permanent attractions, Glasgow’s annual events diary is a busy one, with the city hosting huge international events like Celtic Connections in January, a music festival celebrating traditional celtic music, and the Glasgow International Comedy Festival every March. All in all, there’s never a dull moment in this thriving metropolis.