Glasgow Caledonian University

Student life

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) offers a vibrant environment for learning, teaching and research in the heart of Glasgow city centre. GCU delivers career-focused programmes, world class research and award winning student support.

Location

GCU provides on of the best learning environments in the UK at our modern campus in the heart of Glasgow City Centre and in our specialist postgraduate campus in London.

Accessible, affordable and multicultural, Glasgow is a great city for students from all backgrounds and cultures. Loved by residents and tourists alike, Glasgow culture comprises a heady mix of architecture, music, shopping, nightlife and sport.

The GCU London postgraduate campus brings together leading academic staff from across Europe to deliver specialist courses.

Based in one of London's most attractive locations, the centre offers a range of MBA and MSc courses, high quality teaching and links with international business.

Facilities

GCU is an extremely welcoming and friendly place to study. Students and lecturers are on first-name terms and benefit from our small class sizes and project-based group working. The University has an open-door culture where students can drop in to talk with academics or support staff without an appointment.

The hub of the GCU campus is the striking Saltire Centre. Home to the University library, the building is fully equipped with Wi-Fi to help you study where you want.

Bright, airy and ultra modern, the award-winning Saltire Centre provides moving library shelves for easy access to books, ‘think pods’ with whiteboards for group study and private study areas with workstations.

Our bright, modern health and fitness centre, the Arc, offers affordable classes, well-equipped gym and sports hall and is home to our University sports clubs. Two gyms, a hair salon and spa facilities are all on campus.

GCU’s refectory is the largest university facility of its type in Scotland. All our cafes and social spaces maintain student-friendly prices with opportunities to work and relax. Our CPD cafe area contains sofas, study desks and computer workstations.

Set in landscaped grounds across the road from the University, Caledonian Court provides safe, friendly and well-equipped accommodation for 660 students.

Our on-campus eye clinic is equipped to the highest standards and is housed in modern purpose built facility.

Student life

Student life at GCU offers so much more than getting an education – enjoy an active social life on your doorstep with Glasgow’s expanding shopping, cafe and club scene. Hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow offers the opportunity to discover new sports and other interests, and the chance to meet new people from all over the world.

Our Students' Association offers plenty of opportunities for you to get involved in a wide range of activities try new things and meet new people. Many of the activities we offer look great on your CV and can help your career prospects after you graduate.

When you are having a break from the books, getting involved in the Students' Association lets you make the most out of your GCU experience.

What our students say

Key facts & figures

Number 1: The rank given to our award-winning student support. GCU facilities such as the Base have helped us win ‘No. 1 for student support’ and overseas student support awards from Times Higher Education.
6 months: The period after graduation in which the vast majority of our graduates find work or further study. With innovative, specialist courses, our lecturers have good industry contacts to help our students find placements and future career opportunities within 6 months of graduation.
2014. The year that GCU’s main location Glasgow is host to the Commonwealth Games. Glasgow is perfect for students. It has a vibrant live music and arts scene, jumping nightlife, accessible sports facilities, spacious city parks and much more. And it is all within easy access of Scotland’s spectacular scenery and world-renowned festivals.
Top 10: The placement our research earned us in the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise. Recognised for our work in rehabilitation sciences, GCU was placed top in the UK and our research in construction and the built environment was rated best in Scotland.
22 countries: The number of countries in Europe that GCU students can visit as part of a student exchange opportunity. And exchanges are not just restricted to Europe. We offer placements and exchanges around the world to help our students to sample another country and learn a new language.