About the author: Hi! I'm Rowan, a 4th-year Media and Communications student at Glasgow Caledonian University. Outside of my studies, I have a keen interest in travelling and exploring new coffee spots. I hope my articles are helpful, and I'm excited to share my student tips with you!
If you’re contemplating studying in Glasgow, or you’ve just started studying here, then you’re probably wondering what it’s actually like to be a student in Glasgow. And coming from someone who has just begun her fourth year of studying here, I’m here to tell you that your experience here will be what you make of it.
Glasgow is a city with three universities and multiple college campuses, making it a place of endless opportunities for students. Being a student here goes far beyond attending lectures and handing in assignments; it’s also about finding your new favourite study spot to grab a coffee, choosing somewhere to spend your Friday night out, and well, then there’s the situation of dealing with the inevitable Glaswegian weather.
My favourite thing about studying in Glasgow
Personally, I think the best thing about Glasgow is that no matter the day, there’s always something to do. Whether it’s live music, sporting events, a new food place to try, or you're just looking for a good cup of coffee, Glasgow has a great variety of options to choose from.
There is always something to do in the city - and you don’t necessarily always need to spend a fortune. If a fun, cheap night out is what you’re after, then keep an eye on nightclubs in the city centre; many run promotions during the week with things like free entry or offers on drinks (great for the student budget!). If you’re a big music fan, then Glasgow is widely recognised as being one of the best places in the world for live music, with multiple events happening each week.
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Getting around Glasgow
It’s important to remember that your university campus isn’t your whole world. I know how easy it is to fall into the routine of going to university, going to class, going home, and then repeating it all the next day. But one of the best things about studying in Glasgow is that, no matter what uni campus you are on, you’re surrounded by an entire city. Glasgow Caledonian and Strathclyde are both situated in the city centre, whereas the University of Glasgow is in the West End. This means that no matter where you are studying, there is always somewhere to meet a friend for lunch, go to a café, or browse some shops to escape busy campus life. Unexpectedly, some of your best uni moments might happen off campus, so take advantage of studying in such a vibrant city.
Even if you don’t find yourself in the city centre, Glasgow is a very easy city to get around. The subway, buses and trains make travelling to and from different areas relatively straightforward, and the buses are especially good right now, as the Young Scot card can bag you free bus travel. If you don’t have one, then they’re pretty affordable, as all bus journeys in Glasgow and surrounding areas have recently been capped at £2.
The solid transport options mean that you aren’t limited to what’s nearby, so you should make the most of it! I think it is easy when you’re in first year to get overwhelmed by everything new, and for you to feel like your university is the centre of everything. But Glasgow gives you the opportunity to build a life outside of campus. University is where you study, but the city is where you can make the experience your own.
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Dealing with Glasgow’s one downside
I guess I can’t talk about studying in Glasgow without at least mentioning the weather. If you ask any student who studies here what the worst part is, there’s a high likelihood that they’ll say they hate the rain. Let’s be honest, who doesn’t hate the rain? But unfortunately, that’s just part of it. There might be days when you leave your flat in the morning with bright blue skies above you, only to be caught in a downpour two hours later.
What’s important is that you don’t let the weather stop you from making the most of your time here, and you shouldn’t let it put you off studying here, because it’s not every day that it rains (it’s bright and sunny as I write this!). It has its occasional grey and rainy day, but it’s much more than it’s bad weather. My best advice is to always keep an umbrella in your bag, just in case. Eventually you’ll get used to it, and when the sun eventually does come out, you appreciate it that little bit more.
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Rounding up
So, what is it actually like to study in Glasgow? Well, there isn’t one single answer. Everyone’s experience studying in Glasgow will be different, but the variety of options for how to spend your time is what makes studying here so enjoyable. I’m four years in, and I’ve learned that being a student in Glasgow isn’t all about having a “perfect” experience. There’s no perfect experience, and there is no step-by-step manual of how to be a student here. You just need to explore the city and find out what works for you - and there’s definitely enough to do here that you’ll find more than one thing you’ll enjoy.
If you like the sound of making Glasgow your new home, be sure to check out UniHomes’ range of student accommodation in Glasgow. There’s everything from large student houses to modern private halls, so take your pick! Don’t forget, bills are included in all UniHomes’ properties, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about sorting separately.
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The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.