The University of Glasgow is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland, founded in 1451 and a member of the Russell Group.[1][2] It is ranked 80th in the world and 13th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3] Student numbers differ by source: Wikipedia, citing national statistics, gives 38,710 for 2024/25, while the university’s own page speaks of 43,000 students from over 140 countries.[1][4]
For 2026/27 undergraduates pay £1,820 (Scottish students), £9,790 (rest of the UK) or £27,720 to £62,730 (international and EU students, depending on the programme).[5] Applications run through UCAS; international applicants to many subjects can also use the Common App.[6][7]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Glasgow |
| Location | Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland; main campus at Gilmorehill, second campus in Dumfries[8] |
| Type | Public research university; one of Scotland’s four ancient universities; Russell Group member[1] |
| Founded | 1451, by papal bull[1] |
| Students | 38,710 in 2024/25 (Wikipedia, citing national statistics); the university’s own page says 43,000 students from over 140 countries, without a date[1] |
| Colleges | Arts & Humanities; Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences; Science & Engineering; Social Sciences[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 80th in the world, 13th in the UK, 26th in Europe[3] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026/27, Scottish students | £1,820 per year[5] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026/27, rest of the UK | £9,790 per year[5] |
| Undergraduate tuition 2026/27, international and EU students | £27,720 (arts and social sciences); £33,210 (science, engineering, nursing and non-clinical medical, veterinary and life sciences); £58,500 (BDS); £62,730 (MBChB and clinical programmes)[5] |
| Undergraduate application | UCAS for all full-time study; Common App also accepted from international applicants for most subjects[6] |
| English language | Set per programme; for example IELTS Academic 6.5 with no subtest under 6.0 for English Language & Linguistics[9] |
| Official website | gla.ac.uk |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 by a papal bull at the suggestion of King James II. It is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland’s four ancient universities.[1] The university calls itself a Russell Group member and a world top 100 university.[2]
The main campus is at Gilmorehill in Glasgow; a second campus, Crichton, is in Dumfries.[1] Teaching and research are organised in four colleges: Arts & Humanities; Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences; Science & Engineering; and Social Sciences.[1]
Wikipedia, citing national statistics, reports 38,710 students in 2024/25, of whom 24,300 undergraduates and 14,410 postgraduates.[1] The university’s own “Why study at Glasgow?” page speaks of 43,000 students from over 140 countries but gives no date or definition, so we show both.[4]
How is the University of Glasgow ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, Glasgow is 80th in the world among 1,504 institutions, 13th in the UK and 26th in Europe. The university reports top 5 % placings in Academic Reputation, International Research Network and Sustainability, and top 10 % placings in six of the nine QS indicators.[3]
Our UK table has listed Glasgow at world rank 79 and in 11th place within the UK; the QS 2027 position is 80th worldwide and 13th in the UK.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. See the UK ranking and how we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Glasgow?
The university has four colleges.[1]
- Arts & Humanities: schools including Critical Studies, Culture and Creative Arts, Humanities, and Modern Languages and Cultures.[1]
- Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences: schools including Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, Molecular Biosciences, and Psychology & Neuroscience.[1]
- Science & Engineering: schools including Chemistry, Computing Science, the James Watt School of Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics and Astronomy.[1]
- Social Sciences: including the Adam Smith Business School and the School of Education.[1]
The fee table also lists dentistry (BDS), medicine (MBChB), nursing, veterinary medicine (BVMS) and a graduate-entry accelerated law degree (LLB).[5]
How much does the University of Glasgow cost in 2026/27?
| Programme group | Scotland | Rest of UK | International and EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and social sciences | £1,820 | £9,790 | £27,720 |
| Science, engineering, nursing and non-clinical medical, veterinary and life sciences | £1,820 | £9,790 | £33,210 |
| Dentistry (BDS) | £1,820 | £9,790 | £58,500 |
| Medicine (MBChB) and clinical programmes | £1,820 | £9,790 | £62,730 |
These are full-time fees per year for 2026/27. “Rest of UK” means students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. EU students who meet the university’s EU fee-status criteria for 2021/22 and beyond pay the international fee.[5] The Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (BVMS) is a full-cost graduate-entry programme at £37,350 for every student group.[5]
The rest-of-UK fee of £9,790 applies to students who started in September 2025 and September 2026; students who started up to and including September 2024 stay at £9,250.[5] Incoming study abroad costs £24,000 for a full year and £12,000 for one semester.[5]
Postgraduate taught
Taught postgraduate fees are listed per programme. For example, the MSc in Data Analytics page shows 2027-28 fees of £13,092 (Home and rest of UK) and £34,815 (international and EU), with a £2,000 deposit for international and EU applicants.[10]
Tuition is only part of the bill: for rent and living costs, see our UK guide.
How do you apply to the University of Glasgow?
All students who plan to study full-time must apply through UCAS. International students applying to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science and Social Sciences can instead use the Common App, although the university recommends UCAS if you are applying to more than one UK university. Applications to Dentistry, Education, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine must be made through UCAS.[6]
Common App applicants use a separate applicant portal, the Gateway to Glasgow, while UCAS applicants receive login details for the Applicant Self Service portal.[6][7]
We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the dates on the university’s application pages and on UCAS before you apply.
Which English level do you need?
For applicants whose first language is not English, the university sets a minimum level per programme, listed in each programme’s entry requirements.[11] As an example, English Language & Linguistics asks for IELTS Academic (or Academic Online, not General Training) 6.5 with no subtest under 6.0. A One Skill Retake is accepted, the result must come from a single test, and the test must be within 2 years 5 months of the start date.[9]
If your result is below the requirement, the English for Academic Study Unit offers pre-sessional courses accredited by BALEAP, the UK association for academic English teaching. For visa purposes, the university can make its own assessment of English for degree programmes, so the tests listed in its entry requirements are suitable.[11]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the University of Glasgow’s tuition fees for international students?
For full-time undergraduate study in 2026/27: £27,720 for arts and social sciences, £33,210 for science, engineering and nursing, £58,500 for dentistry and £62,730 for medicine and clinical programmes.[5]
Is the University of Glasgow free for Scottish students?
No. The table lists a fee of £1,820 per year for Scottish students in 2026/27.[5]
How is the University of Glasgow ranked?
It is 80th in the world, 13th in the UK and 26th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[3]
Can I apply with the Common App?
International applicants to Arts, Engineering, Law, Nursing, Science and Social Sciences can. Dentistry, Education, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine must go through UCAS.[6]
More about studying in United Kingdom (UK)
- United Kingdom (UK): best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in United Kingdom (UK)
- Durham University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- University College London (UCL)
- University of Birmingham
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Exeter
- University of Leeds
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Oxford
- University of Sheffield
- University of Southampton
- University of Warwick
- University of York
Sources
[1] Wikipedia: University of Glasgow (history, campuses, colleges; student figures cite national statistics for 2024/25)
[2] University of Glasgow: About the University (page without a date)
[3] University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow places 80th in QS World University Rankings 2027 (published 18 June 2026)
[4] University of Glasgow: Why study at Glasgow? (page without a date)
[5] University of Glasgow: Undergraduate tuition fees 2026-27 (page without a date)
[6] University of Glasgow: Applying on UCAS (page without a date)
[7] University of Glasgow: Applying on Common App (page without a date)
[8] University of Glasgow: Homepage (postal address in the footer) (page without a date)
[9] University of Glasgow: English Language & Linguistics (undergraduate programme page) (page without a date; used as one example of a programme requirement)
[10] University of Glasgow: MSc Data Analytics (fees and funding) (page without a date; fees shown for 2027-28)
[11] University of Glasgow: English language requirements (international students) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.