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Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland and located in the western Lowlands. It’s one of the most significant educational hubs in Europe, and is home to three major universities as well as the second largest student population in the UK. The city is packed full of museums, galleries, nightclubs, festivals and legendary music venues, plus it’s pretty affordable to live in, so you can see why it’s a top choice for so many students. Read on for our guide to being a student in Glasgow.
CONTENTS
- Student activities in Glasgow
- Nightlife in Glasgow
- Student accommodation in Glasgow
- Transport in Glasgow
- Student costs in Glasgow
- What Glasgow is known for
- Universities in Glasgow
Student activities in Glasgow
As a student in Glasgow, you’ll never be stuck for things to do. The city is full of incredible architecture, museums and galleries, including the Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art and the People’s Palace. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is close to the University of Glasgow and is the most visited museum in the UK outside of London. Spend a day wandering the galleries and you’ll be inspired by the fascinating nature, local history and impressive art on display.
For film geeks and indie lovers, Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) is worth checking out. GFT shows a diverse programme of films, both cult classics and new contemporary movies. It’s also a venue for the annual Glasgow Film Festival.
Shopping is a popular pastime for students in Glasgow, and you’ll find loads of options in the city. As well as all the usual high street chains, the West End has a great collection of vintage stores. If you’re a lover of charity shops take a stroll down Byres Road and Dumbarton Road. Then, when you’re tired of shopping, pop into Tchai Ovna (https://tchaiovna.com/) and try a new flavour from their menu of over 80 types of tea.
Check out our guide to the top ten things to do in Glasgow
Nightlife in Glasgow
Glasgow is full of nightlife options to suit every kind of student. There are so many places to party during your time in the city, from cosy pubs to buzzing clubs to unique music venues. KOKOMO is a three-room nightclub and many students’ first choice for dancing the night away. It’s at the heart of the city’s nightlife district and offers great drink promos and top DJs. If you’re into electronic, house or indie, SWG3 is one to check out. As well as legendary parties, it also hosts gigs and arts events.
Glasgow is also known for producing some incredible music acts – Belle and Sebastian, Hudson Mowhawke and Chvrches all hail from here. Scotland’s largest music venue The OVO Hydro is in Glasgow, and showcases big names all year long. You’ll also want to take a look at the listings for King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. This venue has been at the forefront of Scotland’s music scene since 1990 and has showcased acts like Radiohead, Florence and the Machine, Frightened Rabbit and Oasis (who were famously signed here in 1993).
Student accommodation in Glasgow
Universities in Glasgow offer a range of accommodation in halls of residence. The cost of these will depend on the type of room you choose. For example, the University of Glasgow has self-catered options costing between £133 and £225 per week. A room at the cheaper end of the scale might have a shared bathroom, while the more expensive rooms might have an en-suite and double bed. The price you pay for halls of residence will also include your bills and WiFi.
For a privately rented self-contained studio flat, you can expect to pay about £1,100 a month. You could also rent a bedroom in a shared house for about £600. Many students choose to do this from their second year of studying. If you do rent privately, remember you’ll have to pay utility bills and WiFi on top of this cost. We’d recommend budgeting about £80-90 a month for these.
Transport in Glasgow
Many students opt to cycle around Glasgow, and with 300 km of cycleways it’s a great option for getting from A to B, keeping fit and seeing the sights all at the same time.
If cycling isn’t for you, Glasgow has excellent transportation links which means it’s easy to get about. There’s a good bus network, with a single ticket costing less than £2, and weekly and monthly passes available. The city also has a subway system with 15 stations. It’s the easiest and quickest way to get around the centre and West End of Glasgow, and runs every four minutes at peak times. A single subway journey costs as little as £1.55, but by signing up for a free Subway Smartcard you can save money on all your tickets.
Glasgow Central Station is the main train station in the city, and from here you can get direct trains to places like Edinburgh, Perth, Manchester, Newcastle and London. Make sure to get a 16-25 Railcard as this will save you a third on all your train tickets for the year. If you’re looking to go further afield, Glasgow Airport flies all over Europe. It’s an easy 15 minute bus journey from the city centre.
Student costs in Glasgow
Glasgow is relatively affordable compared to other UK cities like Edinburgh and London. Depending on your personal lifestyle, it’s definitely possible to enjoy your time here on a student budget.
Food wise, there are plenty of low-cost supermarkets to shop at like Aldi and Lidl, as well as a number of local community grocery co-ops. These offer discounted food in return for membership and occasional voluntary work. On average, you can expect to pay £1.23 for a loaf of bread, £1.60 for a kilogram of rice, £2.89 for a dozen eggs and 99p for a kilogram of potatoes.
While there are lots of expensive options for socialising in the city, there are plenty of ways to keep costs down. An average, inexpensive restaurant meal will cost about £15, but you can eat out for cheaper in smaller cafes or order a takeaway. The average pint in Glasgow costs £4.50, which isn’t too bad, although as a student keep an eye out for drinks deals and discounted entry for a cheap night out.
You’ll want to budget for course-related costs too. This might include books, materials and printing credits. There will be loads of free clubs and societies you can join at uni, but you might want to keep some money aside in case these include trips or socials. Make sure you carry a valid student ID card around with you at all times, as this will get you discounts and deals on everything from food, to clothes, to entertainment like bowling and the cinema. We’d recommend a budget of around £800 each month on top of your course fees.
Read our guide to the cost of living as a student in Glasgow
What Glasgow is known for
Haggis is Scotland’s national dish and is made from delicious-sounding sheep organs. Traditionally, the heart, lungs, and liver are mixed with onions, oatmeal, suet, and spices and cooked in the sheep’s stomach! Although today it’s mostly cooked in an artificial version of a stomach, it’s still a well loved dish in Glasgow. You’ll want to try it at the Ubiquitous Chip in the city’s west end, or at Where The Monkey Sleeps which offers haggis in a roll or bagel.
Universities in Glasgow
There are three major universities in Glasgow.
The University of Glasgow has been around since 1451 and is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive unis. It has a strong commitment to its diverse, international community of students, boasting excellent teaching, study abroad opportunities and one of the best libraries in Europe.
The University of Strathclyde is in Glasgow’s city centre. Students here have the chance to undertake industrial placements and scholarships, as well as the opportunity to study at a partner uni in Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore or Japan.
Glasgow Caledonian University has recently invested £30 million into its facilities, and is home to a virtual hospital and high-tech broadcasting suite. The uni has impressive industry links, placement opportunities and careers support, and it scored highly in the 2025 Complete University Guide league tables for graduate prospects.
If you’re thinking about studying at a university in Glasgow it’s a good idea to visit in person. Take a look at upcoming open days and book onto the ones that suit you. In the meantime, you can read even more reasons to study in Glasgow.
