University of Strathclyde

Overview

Founded in 1796, the University of Strathclyde is located in Glasgow, Scotland’s second city. The uni’s campus is located in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre and is equipped with everything you’d expect, including a library, laundrette, sports facilities, places to eat and drink, and a disability and wellbeing service. The Student’s Union offers plenty to do and there are over 170 clubs and societies for you to join.

Although it’s not the capital city, Glasgow is in fact the largest city in Scotland. It’s a friendly and warm city with loads to do. You’ll find sightseeing opportunities, plenty of shopping and one of the best nightlife scenes in the UK.

It’s a manageable city that’s easy to get around on foot or by transport. A simple underground system links the city spots, as well as an effective bus service. Iconic museums, music venues, theatres and comedy clubs all add to the culture of the city and provide loads for students to do in their spare time.

Two major train stations and an airport mean that access to other UK and European cities is good. Sport is massive in Glasgow and the city is home to one of the most renowned football rivalries in the world, between Rangers and Celtic.

There are almost 250 undergraduate courses to choose from at the University of Strathclyde. These courses all sit within four faculties – Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences, Science, and the Business School.

Most courses are studied full-time but you can find some that are available on a part-time basis. Some programmes also take on a flexible structure with the first year taken up by studying three subjects, before specialising in two subjects in second year. In third year, students can continue studying the two subjects or choose to specialise in one, before a fourth year Honours year.

Typically, undergraduate degrees at Strathclyde take three or four years to study, but a number of courses include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four or five years to complete. Medical courses usually take five years to study and some courses take longer.

Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree topics you’re most interested in.

It's also possible to combine two or three subjects within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a combined honours degree. For example, it’s fairly common to study a humanities course, like history, alongside a language, such as French or Spanish.

You can apply to undergraduate courses at the University of Strathclyde using several qualifications, including A-levels, Scottish Highers and the International Baccalaureate. Each course has a specific set of required qualifications that you’ll need to meet. You can find these by searching for specific courses online on the uni’s course search pages.

To give you an idea of the kind of academic qualifications you’ll need to study at Strathclyde, we’ve summarised a few subject areas’ required grades here.

For example, to study a business, accounting or finance course at the University of Strathclyde, you’ll likely be asked for A-level grades ranging from AAA–BBB, or Scottish Highers of AAAA–AAB (or equivalent qualification).

To get onto a degree in the arts or humanities, it’s likely you’ll be asked for A-level grades ranging from AAA–BBB, or Scottish Highers ranging from AAAAB–AAAB (or equivalent qualification).

It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.

There’s a variety of accommodation options to choose from at the University of Strathclyde, as well as an accommodation service that’s there to give students support on a 24/7-basis.

Options range from standard rooms to standard en suite rooms. Standard rooms cost £104 per week, or you can upgrade to have a wash basin in your room which costs £110 per week. If you want an en suite bathroom, prices are £141 per week.

All room types are single and rent payments include your utility bills, contents insurance and WiFi. Students living in uni accommodation also have free access to Strathclyde Sport, which includes gym facilities, a swimming pool, two sports halls, a dance hall and squash courts.

When completing your accommodation application, you have the opportunity to request to live in either mixed or single-gender accommodation, to suit your requirements.

All uni accommodations are self-catered.

Strath Union is the University of Strathclyde’s Students’ Union, which has been offering advice and guidance to the students at this uni since 1964. It also helps to organise various student societies and sports activities, plus events throughout the year. 

The Venue is where you’ll be heading for a host of gigs, dinners and more organised by the Students’ Union. Another Students’ Union spot for students to relax in is The Terrace, which has a bar, pool, darts and even pizza – ideal! 

The University of Strathclyde’s careers service supports employability in several ways. It can help you with choosing a career, looking for a job, gaining work experience, submitting job applications and much more.

The service runs numerous events throughout the year to help improve your job prospects and prepare you for post-university life. Employer presentations, networking events, skills workshops and more are held to give benefits like meeting future employers, learning about industry sectors and increasing your professional network.

On top of this, seminars and briefing sessions are held to improve various employability skills. These can cover topics like writing your CV and cover letter, searching for jobs, being successful at assessment centres and improving your interview technique. Week-long careers development events are held in January and June, with seminars covering all sorts of career-related topics.

The uni has an online events and careers management system, MyCareer, which allows students to plan and manage all things career related and one-to-one appointments can also be booked with career advisers to get professional and personal advice.

The University of Strathclyde provides funding in the form of scholarships and bursaries for students who meet certain criteria. These scholarships and bursaries are to help students fund their studies and lifestyle and don’t need to be repaid.

Scholarships are usually awarded based on academic or extra-curricular achievements, while bursaries are given out based on individual circumstances, like household income.

For example, the Performance Sport Scholarship is available for talented student-athletes who regularly compete at international level. The scholarship aims to provide academic flexibility, medical support and financial assistance towards training and competition costs. The package equates to a cash value of £4,750 per year.

Additionally, the Housing Support Fund looks to help students with urgent student housing needs, while the STAR Scholarship looks to provide opportunities for undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds and is worth £1,250 per year.

You can find more information about the scholarships and bursaries available, and the required eligibility criteria, online on the uni’s funding pages.