The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1451. Based in Scotland’s largest city, the University of Glasgow is one of the world’s top 100 universities and currently has 26,000 students from over 120 different countries enrolled. Glasgow is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group of UK research universities.
Throughout its history Glasgow has created six Nobel laureates, one Prime Minister, Scotland's inaugural First Minister and the country's first female medical graduates. 96% of University of Glasgow research-active staff are in areas which have been independently assessed as producing research of international importance.
The University of Glasgow’s main campus is located in the cosmopolitan West End of Glasgow, just three miles from the city centre. The University has more listed buildings than any other university in the UK, and the neo-Gothic main building of the campus was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The University of Glasgow’s Faculty of Engineering is the oldest in the UK, while the only Department of Aerospace Engineering in Scotland is at Glasgow
Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. We are one of the top 100 of the world's universities.
The University of Glasgow
- is ranked 67th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2020
- is in the top 100 in the world: Times Higher World University Rankings 2020
- welcomes students from more than 140 countries worldwide
- has around 29,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students
- has a global community of over 219,000 alumni
- is a major employer in the city of Glasgow with more than 8,000 staff, including more than 3,400 research and teaching staff
- is undertaking a £1 billion estate investment to expand campus research & teaching facilities
- has annual research income of more than £179m
- is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities
- is a founding member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education
- is a founding member of The Guild of European Research Intensive Universities
- has strategic partnerships with the Universities of Columbia, Hong Kong, McGill and Sydney
- has 420 study abroad and exchange partners
- is home to The Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, one of the leading university museums in the world
- has unique partnerships with the Singapore Institute of Technology, Nankai University and the University of Electronic Science & Technology of China meaning that we continue to extend our global footprint through innovative transnational education
- includes among its alumni, the father of economics Adam Smith, Scotland’s architect of devolution Donald Dewar and renowned physicist and engineer Lord Kelvin.
The University of Glasgow has risen eight places to 80th in the 2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
To compile the prestigious global ranking, Times Higher evaluates several aspects of a university's performance including teaching, research, international outlook and reputation.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow said, “I am absolutely delighted that the University of Glasgow has risen eight places in the global world rankings to 80th position. This news underlines the strength and quality of teaching at the University of Glasgow, as well as recognising the tremendous student experience that we offer. The rankings rise comes as we embark on a £1bn redevelopment and expansion of our main campus. The new facilities will be truly world leading and further confirm Glasgow as a global centre for learning, teaching and research.
Kate Powell, President of the University of Glasgow Students’ Representative Council said, “We are delighted to hear that Glasgow has soared in the latest world rankings. Students will be pleased to know that the excellent teaching and research at the University of Glasgow is recognised. Anyone who comes here knows the importance that is placed on the overall the student experience which is genuinely second to none.”
Phil Baty, editor of the THE World University Rankings, said: “The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, apply rigorous standards, using tough global benchmarks across all of a global research university’s key missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook. The results are trusted by students and their families, academics, university leaders and governments. For University of Glasgow to make 80th in the world is an outstanding achievement to be celebrated. A rise of eight places within the top 100 of this list is particularly impressive given the intensifying global competition. The rise of Chinese universities and other East Asian nations following successful excellence initiatives is a characteristic of the rankings, so you have to run fast just to stand still in these rankings.”
