Glasgow and city
The University of Glasgow dates from the middle of the fifteenth century and celebrated its 550th anniversary in 2001. It is now one of the UK's leading universities with an international reputation for its research and teaching and an important role in the cultural and commercial life of the country.
With almost 16,000 undergraduate and 4,000 postgraduate students, it is one of the UK's largest universities. With 5,700 staff, it is a major employer in the city and its annual turnover of £285m makes a substantial contribution to the local economy.
Firmly rooted in the West of Scotland from where it recruits 50% of its students, the University of Glasgow is nevertheless an international institution, attracting students from 80 countries and sending large numbers of students on study periods abroad. Today's research projects are typically international, with academics from every continent working in Glasgow while the University's own staff make valued contributions to collaborative work with some 200 institutions around the world.
Most of the University's 100 departments are to be found on the Gilmorehill campus, centred on Sir George Gilbert Scott's neo-Gothic main building. Its spire, added by his son John Oldrid Scott, is a landmark across the city. Glasgow's campus has more listed buildings than any other and reflects a vast range of styles. Pearce Lodge and the Lion and Unicorn Staircase are relics of the old University, moved stone by stone to the new site. The circular Reading Room is a listed building from the 1930s while the Library, Boyd Orr and Adam Smith Buildings reflect post-war fashions in public building design. The new Wolfson Medical School Building, which provides state-of-the-art facilities for medical students and staff, was opened in 2003.
The University is a member of the Russell Group of major research-led universities and a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting world-wide standards for higher education.
Glasgow is a lively and cosmopolitan city combining a modern image, conveyed by the current city marketing slogan, Glasgow: Scotland with Style, in a setting of outstanding Victorian and Art Nouveau architecture.
Arts and culture have been a driving force for the city since hosting the title of European Capital of Culture in 1990. Glasgow enjoys more than 20 museums and galleries ranging from the Gallery of Modern Art and the world-famous Burrell Collection to the Glasgow Science Centre. It also hosts a year-round programme of events and festivals, including Celtic Connections, the International Jazz Festival, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Miller International Comedy Festival, the West End Festival, the River Festival, the Merchant City Festival, Hogmanay celebrations and more. Glasgow is also home to Scottish Ballet, Scottish Opera, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the newly-founded National Theatre of Scotland.
Glasgow was recently named as the UK's favourite tourist city destination in a survey by Traveller, one of the world's most exclusive travel magazines.