Scotland: Scotland is one of the four constituent countries that make up the United Kingdom. It occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. Scotland offers attractions for every taste and budget, including iconic castles, world-class museums and galleries, beautiful highland valleys and mountains, fascinating heritage sites, and stunning gardens. Known globally for its warm and friendly population, Scotland often feels like home to visitors. Throughout history, the people of Scotland have changed the way we live through innovations in science, technology and academia. Scotland’s legacy includes the pioneering invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell and the development of television by John Logie Baird. Scotland has also been a prominent filming location for top films and TV shows including Outlaw King, 1917, Skyfall, Harry Potter, and The Batman. In fact, the University of Glasgow itself is frequently used as a filming location and recently featured in several episodes of Outlander.
Glasgow: Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and one of the most populous in the UK. It is located in the Western Lowlands of Scotland, on the banks of the River Clyde. In 2019, Time Out Magazine named Glasgow the friendliest and most affordable city in the world. The city’s slogan “People Make Glasgow” reflects the Glaswegian character. Glasgow is a warm, welcoming, and friendly city because of its people. With a name meaning “Dear Green Place” in Gaelic, Glasgow has over 90 parks and gardens to explore, with many housing some of the city’s top attractions. So, whether you’re looking for a tranquil spot to study, a beautiful viewpoint of the city, or even somewhere to spot a Highland cow, Glasgow has it all. As the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is also a place where music is not simply confined to the four walls of venues – it’s the beating heart of the city. In addition to music, Glasgow has over 20 fantastic museums and galleries, where students can enjoy one of the richest and most varied collections in Europe. Students can explore Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in the West End or head southside to see artwork from around the world in the Burrell Collection.
Neighborhood: The University’s main campus is nestled within Glasgow’s cozy and cultural West End, home to bohemian Byres Road and the Instagrammable Ashton Lane. Both of these are great spots to explore, with plenty of student-friendly restaurants, shops, cafes, and cinema. The Finnieston neighborhood, next to the University, is considered the city’s “foodie quarter” with a mix of cool, quality, and affordable venues. Glasgow is also recognized as one of the UK’s most vegan-friendly cities.
Campus: The University of Glasgow’s main Gilmorehill campus is located in the West End of the city, within easy reach of the city center by public transport or a short walk. It’s a compact, campus-style environment with all the benefits of being in a major city. Gilmorehill is home to the majority of the university’s teaching and research facilities and is expanding as part of its 1-billion-euro campus development program to include a mix of research, teaching and public spaces. At the center of the campus lies the stunning Gilbert Scott building, with an iconic bell tower that is one of Glasgow’s most notable landmarks. The university offers great indoor sports facilities including a 25m swimming pool, two student unions, a museum and art gallery, and an enormous library spread over 12 floors.
Climate: Glasgow experiences a temperate oceanic climate, milder than might be expected given its latitude. Students are encouraged to bring raincoats, an umbrella, comfortable shoes and rain boots since it rains regularly in Glasgow. It is advisable to bring clothes that can be layered and mixed and matched due to the varied weather. Late fall can be very cold and gray although there is very little snow in Glasgow. Below is a chart of average temperatures and precipitation:
| Month | Avg. Low | Avg. High | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 48°F | 61°F | 1.79 in |
| October | 43°F | 55°F | 3.17 in |
| November | 38°F | 49°F | 2.66 in |
| December | 34°F | 45°F | 2.70 in |