University of Glasgow

University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ, United Kingdom
Switchboard: +44 (0)141 330 2000
Website: www.glasgow.ac.uk

Recent news

Applications to the University of Glasgow rise by 11%
?1 million awarded for research into illegal antiquities trade
Kelvin Hall Museum bid on track thanks to lottery support
Glasgow joins European & Brazilian partners in ?3m project to fight inflammatory disorders
BBSRC invests £3m in biosciences postgraduate training

About the University of GlasgowUniversity of Glasgow (photo: David Iliff)

The University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. Founded in 1451, it has spent the last half-millennium earning an international reputation for research innovation, making connections with experts in global business, and inspiring thinkers from eminent scientist Lord Kelvin to the father of economics, Adam Smith. Glasgow’s position in the UK’s top 10 earners for research and as a member of the elite Russell Group enables the University to provide an education that inspires respect from employers and satisfaction from students. Glasgow’s students come from 120 countries around the world to build friendships and networks that last a lifetime.

Rankings

  • THE 2009: 79
  • THE 2008: 73
  • THE 2007: 83
  • SJT 2009: 101-151
  • SJT 2008: 101-151
  • SJT 2007: 102-150

Landmark buildings

The University’s main campus combines grand historical buildings with up-to-the-minute facilities. At the centre of the campus a neo-Gothic building designed by George Gilbert Scott offers breathtaking views across the city. Major investment has seen the opening in 2009 of the multi-million pound Fraser Building, a centre for student services at the heart of the campus. The BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Glasgow Biomedical Research Centre, and Wolfson Medical School Building form a ‘triangle of excellence’, enhancing Glasgow's position at the hub of the molecular genetics revolution which is transforming medicine and therapeutics. The University’s newly-opened £15m small animal hospital at the Veterinary School is the most advanced in Europe.

International partnerships

Glasgow has established exchange agreements with around 250 European universities and more than 30 universities across the rest of the world.

University of Glasgow staff collaborate with some 200 institutions around the world and the Glasgow Centre for International Development develops and strengthens longstanding associations with African universities and institutes.

Famous academics

Throughout its 558-year history Glasgow has fostered the talents of six Nobel laureates, one Prime Minister, Scotland’s inaugural First Minister and the country’s first female medical graduates. William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, began his studies at the University in 1834 at the age of ten. He went on to develop the Kelvin scale of absolute temperature measurement while a Professor of Natural Philosophy at the University in 1848. Adam Smith, the economist, philosopher and author of The Wealth of Nations, was only 14 when he started as a student at Glasgow. In 1751 he returned as Professor of Logic, transferring to the Chair of Moral Philosophy shortly afterwards.

Notable research areas

The latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008) rated almost 70 per cent of the University’s research as world-leading or internationally excellent, and in 2007-8 University research awards topped £116m – exceeding previous records. The University is leading the way in traditional academic areas from medicine and physics to engineering, ethics and astronomy as well as in ultramodern disciplines like bioelectronics, cell signalling, nanotechnology and optoelectronics.

The University’s impressive funding record continues in 2009 with a £28m investment partnership between Glasgow and the Medical Research Council to create a new multidisciplinary centre of excellence in virology.

Most significant research breakthrough in the last 12 months

Through world-class researchers, state of the art facilities and partnerships with other organisations, the University is tackling cancer and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases – Scotland’s three biggest killers.

Professor Anna Dominiczak is the Director of the BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre. Her work into cardiovascular genetics and vascular biology has generated over £30m in research income over the last three years, making discoveries such as a urine test which could be used to identify people with heart disease before symptoms appear. ‘The hope’, says Professor Dominiczak, ‘is that earlier intervention could prevent the need for major surgery. The idea is to pick up disease before symptoms appear.’

Mission

The University of Glasgow’s mission is to undertake leading-edge, internationally-competitive research while offering a challenging student-centred learning environment. Through its status as a leading international university, the University aims to sustain and add value to Scottish culture and society, to the natural environment and to the national economy.

Vision

By continuing to invest in internationally excellent research and by providing an outstanding learning environment for talented students from all backgrounds, the University of Glasgow’s aim is not only to maintain this position, but to improve upon it, thereby retaining its status as one of the select number of institutions which are regarded as being the best in the world.

Student profile

  • Home country numbers: 17,090
  • Own continent numbers: 1,600
  • International (out of continent) numbers: 2,560