Glasgow Caledonian University logo

Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow, UK · Ranking #850

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a modern public university in Glasgow, Scotland, created in 1993 from a merger of The Queen’s College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic. It brands itself as “the University for the Common Good”, with a strong focus on employability, social innovation and widening access. GCU has around 22,000 students and three main academic schools: the Glasgow School for Business and Society, the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, and the School of Health and Life Sciences. It is a major provider of graduates for health and social care, engineering, business and the built environment, and operates GCU London and transnational partnerships in several countries. The university is consistently one of the UK’s leading modern universities in national guides and recognised for graduate jobs and student satisfaction.

Glasgow Caledonian University logo

Glasgow Caledonian University

About the university

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a modern public university in Glasgow, Scotland, created in 1993 from a merger of The Queen’s College, Glasgow and Glasgow Polytechnic. It brands itself as “the University for the Common Good”, with a strong focus on employability, social innovation and widening access. GCU has around 22,000 students and three main academic schools: the Glasgow School for Business and Society, the School of Computing, Engineering and Built Environment, and the School of Health and Life Sciences. It is a major provider of graduates for health and social care, engineering, business and the built environment, and operates GCU London and transnational partnerships in several countries. The university is consistently one of the UK’s leading modern universities in national guides and recognised for graduate jobs and student satisfaction.

Key information

  • Location: Glasgow, UK
  • Ranking #850
  • National ranking #35
  • Institution type: public

Popular faculties

  • Glasgow School for Business and Society
  • School of Computing Engineering and Built Environment
  • School of Health and Life Sciences

Programs (29)

  • Computer Science
  • Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Medicine
  • Nursing
  • Pharmacy
  • Business Administration
  • Economics
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Tourism and Hospitality
  • Law
  • Political Science
  • International Relations
  • Philosophy
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • Environmental Science
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Anthropology
  • Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Music

Student body

  • Total students: 23,000
  • Undergraduate: 15,000
  • Graduate: 7,000
  • International students: 15%

Campus life

The main GCU campus is close to Glasgow city centre, with teaching buildings, library, Students’ Association, Caledonian Court halls and sports facilities on or near the same site. Students benefit from the cultural and social life of Scotland’s largest city, including music, arts and nightlife, while living costs are generally lower than in many other UK cities. The university emphasises an inclusive, community‑oriented atmosphere and offers dedicated support for international students on visas, accommodation and academic skills.

Housing & accommodation

Housing cost: £500 - £1,500 / per month

Housing options

  • Caledonian Court on‑campus halls (standard and en‑suite rooms)
  • Private student halls near campus
  • Shared rented flats and houses in Glasgow

Student clubs and organizations

  • Students’ Association societies
  • Academic and course‑based societies
  • Cultural and international student groups
  • Volunteering and charity groups
  • Sport and fitness clubs

Sports

  • Football
  • Rugby
  • Basketball
  • Netball
  • Fitness and gym‑based activities
  • Other university and city sports

Career & internships

Employment rate: 92%

Internships: Glasgow Caledonian’s programmes are vocationally focused and many include placements, practice‑based modules or sandwich years, particularly in health, engineering, business, computing and the built environment. The university works closely with employers in Scotland and beyond, and its careers services help students secure internships and graduate roles. International students can undertake placements within visa regulations, gaining relevant work experience alongside their studies.

Admission requirements

Required tests

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

Required documents

  • UCAS or online application
  • Academic transcripts and certificates
  • Personal statement
  • Academic reference
  • Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or equivalent)
  • Passport copy
  • Additional documents for health and professional programmes (e.g. disclosure
  • health checks)

Tuition costs

  • £18,500 - £23,000 / per year
  • Acceptance rate: 60.00%
  • Scholarships available: GCU offers a number of scholarships for international students, including “New to GCU” undergraduate scholarships and various regional awards. Typical support takes the form of partial tuition fee reductions of up to several thousand pounds per year. Some scholarships are automatic for eligible self‑funding international students who have an offer and pay the required deposit, while others require a separate application and statement. External funding may also be available via home‑country schemes or sponsors. Details and deadlines are updated on the GCU international fees and funding pages each year.

Quick facts

  • Founded: 1993
  • Teaching languages: english
  • Study formats: offline

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