Social mission

GCU London is an integral part of Glasgow Caledonian University – the University for the Common Good - a values-led, multi-cultural, civic University with a global outlook and strong commitment to delivering social innovation and sustainable development in its education and research.

Ranked fourth in the world and first in the UK for promoting gender equality, we are 70th in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings out of over 1,400 institutions. GCU is also ranked 21st in the world for reduced inequalities.

GCU is the top performing modern university in Scotland, with the highest increase in rankings of any Scottish university according to the Guardian and Times/Sunday Times, and ranked 52nd overall in the UK in both. 72% of our university research activity has been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

GCU was the first University to align its research strategy and among the first to align its organisational strategies to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promoted by the United Nations. Central to our Strategy 2030 is the ambition to be recognised as world-leading in social innovation through our research and teaching.

A recent independent report by BiGGAR Economics concluded that GCU contributed £1.7 billion and 14,360 jobs globally in 2020-21.

Guided by our values – integrity, responsibility, creativity and confidence – we work with others to transform the lives of the people and communities we serve.

GCU London Common Good Society

Hear from Founder and Leader of the GCU London Common Good Society, Natalie, as she talks about her experiences with the society.

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GCU's major initiative with its local communities is the Caledonian Club, which works with children and young people, from nursery age onwards, and won a national Times Higher Education Award in October 2009 where it was named as Widening Participation Initiative of the Year, as well as Education Initiative of the Year at the national Herald Society Awards. The Caledonian Club has now been extended to GCU London.

The vision for the Caledonian Club and GCU London Club is unique in that it proposes a linked set of activities sustained over a period of 15-30 years, to deliver social change in our local communities.

Judges praised the 'wonderful initiative' for engaging with children as young as three to raise aspirations, transform attitudes towards universities and build life skills.

PRME

GCU is a PRME champion and its principles of responsible management underscore our curriculum and teaching. Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas is Vice Chair of the UK & Ireland Chapter whose activities, competitions and funding are open to GCU London staff and students. Professor Radclyffe-Thomas is a member of PRME Global’s Expert Pedagogy Group supporting the i5 (Impactful 5) Learning in Leadership Education. Find out more on the PRME website.

Ellen MacArthur Foundation

GCU London was the first signatory to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Direction of Travel for London’s higher education institutes. Professor Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas represents GCU London on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation London Higher Education Network. You can see details of GCU’s work as a profiled university on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation website.

Common Good

Our ambitious vision is that, by 2030, Glasgow Caledonian University will be recognised as a world-leading University for social innovation.

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Common Good Award

The Common Good Award is a skills and personal development award which aims to encourage, support and reward students who are engaged in co and extra-curricular activity aligned to the Common Good.

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Caledonian Club

The Caledonian Club is Glasgow Caledonian University’s multi-award-winning, widening participation and community engagement initiative.

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News and events

Keep up to date about upcoming events and stay informed by following us on social media.

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