University of Glasgow
Oilthigh Ghlaschu
Scotland's second-oldest university, founded in 1451, with four-year degrees and a Gothic campus in the West End.
- International
- 45%
- of students
- Student–faculty
- 13.4:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- £27,720
- From · 2026-27
- Founded
- 1451
About Glasgow
The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 by papal bull, making it the second-oldest university in Scotland and one of the four ancient Scottish universities that shaped the Scottish Enlightenment. Adam Smith, James Watt and Lord Kelvin all studied or worked here. Since 1870 the main campus has been at Gilmorehill in the West End, where George Gilbert Scott's Gothic Revival main building looks out over Kelvingrove Park.
Teaching and research are organised into four colleges: Arts and Humanities; Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences; Science and Engineering; and Social Sciences. Like other Scottish universities, Glasgow's standard honours degree lasts four years (five for an integrated master's such as the MSci), and the first two years are often broad, letting students take several subjects before specialising. Strong applicants in some subjects can take a faster route that skips a year.
Glasgow suits students who want a historic university in a big, friendly, affordable city, and who like the idea of exploring more than one subject early on. It is also one of the most international universities in the UK: THE counts 45 percent of its students as international. Medicine, veterinary medicine, psychology and the humanities are particular strengths.
Via, Veritas, Vita
“The Way, the Truth, the Life” — university motto
Why students choose Glasgow
Four-year Scottish degrees give room to try several subjects in years one and two before choosing an honours specialism.
Faster-route options, for example in Computing Science, let students with top grades finish a year early.
Glasgow accepts undergraduate applications through the Common App as well as UCAS, which suits US and international applicants.
World Changers scholarships include a 3,000 pound first-year award for rest-of-UK students with A*AA and 7,000 to 10,000 pound annual discounts for international students.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027
Selectivity
Glasgow does not publish an overall admit rate. Each programme page lists grades needed to be considered; Medicine interviews around 1,100 applicants a year from those who meet its academic and UCAT thresholds.
Typical entry requirements
| Scottish Highers | Programme-specific, e.g. Computing Science: AAABB minimum in S5 to be reviewed for an S6 offer, typical offers AAAAAA by end of S6; Medicine: AAAAB in S5 plus BB at Advanced Higher |
|---|---|
| A-levels | Programme-specific, e.g. AAA to AAB including Mathematics for Computing Science; AAA with Chemistry plus Biology, Physics or Maths for Medicine |
| IB Diploma | Around 38 points with 6,6,6 at HL for competitive programmes such as Computing Science and Medicine |
| English language | IELTS 6.5 Varies by programme: 6.5 overall with no subtest below 6.0 for Computing Science; 7.0 with no component below 7.0 for Medicine. |
Deadlines
- UCAS (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine) Non-binding Next deadline · In 9 days15 October 2026, 18:00 UK time
Glasgow says late Medicine applications are typically not considered.
- UCAS equal consideration deadline Non-binding In ~3 months13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
Most other undergraduate programmes.
- Common App (early threshold) Non-binding In ~6 months31 March 2027
Applicants by this date respond to offers by 31 May.
- Common App (final) Non-binding In ~9 months30 June 2027
Later applicants respond to offers by 31 July.
UCAS dates are from UCAS's 2027-entry calendar (18:00 UK time). Glasgow's own dates page lists 14 January for the equal consideration date, which appears to be carried over from the previous cycle; UCAS gives 13 January 2027. Common App dates are from Glasgow's dates and deadlines page.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS (Medicine applicants may list at most four medical schools) or, for international applicants, through the Common App. Medicine requires the UCAT and an interview.
What admissions looks for
- Grades that meet the minimum listed on the programme page, including required subjects such as Higher or A-level Mathematics for Computing Science.
- For Scottish applicants, strong S5 Highers (the minimum set needed to be reviewed for an S6 offer), with final offers often based on S6 results.
- For Medicine: UCAT performance, interview performance, and evidence that you have genuinely explored a medical career (formal hospital work experience is not required).
- Contextual background: Access Glasgow provides pre-entry programmes and adjusted offers.
Tips for applying to Glasgow
- 1 Read the programme page carefully: Glasgow distinguishes between the minimum grades to be considered and typical offers, which can be much higher.
- 2 If you are applying from the US or another Common App country, you can use the Common App; applying by 31 March 2027 gets you the earlier response timeline.
- 3 Medicine applicants should submit by 15 October 2026 and remember the four-medical-school limit on UCAS.
- 4 Top performers in subjects like Computing Science should check the faster-route option to finish in three years.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in GBP
Eligible Scottish students have their 1,820 pound fee paid by SAAS. Rest-of-UK students can receive the World Changers RUK Access Bursary (up to 2,500 pounds a year for household income under 25,001 pounds) or a 3,000 pound first-year Excellence Scholarship for A*AA or better. International students can receive the World Changers Global Excellence Scholarship worth 7,000 to 10,000 pounds a year off tuition.
- 28,275 pounds
- International fee 2027/28, arts and social sciences
- 33,708 pounds
- International fee 2027/28, science and engineering
- 2,500 pounds a year (income under 25,001 pounds); 1,500 pounds (25,000 to 35,000 pounds)
- World Changers RUK Access Bursary (2027-28)
- 5,000 pounds a year tuition discount
- World Changers Glasgow Scholarship UG (EU)
Academics
Medicine MBChB
A five-year programme with UCAT-based selection and around 1,100 interviews each year; THE ranks Glasgow 48th for Medical and Health.
Psychology
Glasgow's strongest THE subject result, 41st in the world in the 2026 subject tables.
Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS)
Taught at the university's Veterinary School, which began as the Glasgow Veterinary College in 1862.
Computing Science BSc/MSci
Starts with Python and moves to Java, with a faster route for high achievers and substantial honours-year project work.
Arts and Humanities
Ranked 60th in THE's 2026 Arts and Humanities table, building on the university's Scottish Enlightenment history.
Research
- 93.1 percent of research was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021, first in Scotland for outputs and GPA.
- The university has received the Queen's Anniversary Prize six times.
- James Watt's work at Glasgow in 1769 led to a more efficient steam engine, and Lord Kelvin taught physics here.
Schools & faculties
- College of Arts and Humanities
- College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences
- College of Science and Engineering
- College of Social Sciences
Student life
Student life centres on the West End around Gilmorehill, with its cloisters, quadrangles and the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery. Glasgow has two historic student unions, the Glasgow University Union and the Queen Margaret Union, and all students can vote for the Rector, who chairs the University Court. The West End's cafes and Kelvingrove Park are on the doorstep, and the city centre is a short subway ride away. First-years can take 39-week contracts in university residences covering the whole academic year.
- Two historic student unions, the Glasgow University Union and the Queen Margaret Union.
- Students elect the Rector every three years; past rectors include Gladstone, Disraeli and Edward Snowden.
- The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery is on campus.
- In 2014 Glasgow became the first academic institution in Europe to vote to divest from fossil fuels, after a student-led campaign.
Housing. The university offers 39-week contracts in its residences covering the first academic year (September to June).
Location
Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, known for its music venues, galleries and friendly reputation, and it is generally cheaper to live in than Edinburgh or London. The campus is in the West End, one of the city's most popular student areas, next to Kelvingrove Park and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.
Nearest airport: Glasgow Airport (GLA)
Notable alumni
- AS Adam SmithEconomist and philosopher, author of The Wealth of Nations
- NS Nicola SturgeonFormer First Minister of Scotland
- HC Henry Campbell-BannermanUK Prime Minister, 1905 to 1908
- FH Fazle Hasan AbedFounder of BRAC, one of the world's largest development organisations
- AI Armando IannucciSatirist and creator of The Thick of It and Veep
- GB Gerard ButlerActor
- ES Emeli SandéSinger-songwriter
- JW James WilsonSignatory of the US Declaration of Independence
Frequently asked questions
What is the University of Glasgow's QS ranking for 2027?
Glasgow is 80th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 84th in the THE World University Rankings 2026.
Can I apply to Glasgow with the Common App?
Yes. Glasgow accepts undergraduate applications through the Common App as well as UCAS; apply by 31 March 2027 for the earlier timeline or by 30 June 2027 at the latest.
How long is an undergraduate degree at Glasgow?
A standard honours degree takes four years and an integrated master's such as the MSci five. Some programmes offer a faster route for students with very high grades.
How much does Glasgow cost for international students?
For 2026/27 international fees range from 27,720 pounds a year for arts and social sciences to 62,730 pounds for Medicine; for 2027/28 they rise to 28,275 and 33,708 pounds in the two main bands.
Does Glasgow Medicine require the UCAT?
Yes. All Medicine applicants must take the UCAT and be interviewed, and the UCAS application must be in by 15 October 2026.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- University of Glasgow: Awards and rankings
- THE World University Rankings 2026: University of Glasgow
- University of Glasgow: Colleges
- University of Glasgow: Fees for students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland
- University of Glasgow: International undergraduate fees
- University of Glasgow: Fees for Scottish students
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Universities ranked close to Glasgow in the QS World University Rankings 2027.