Our changing campus

Our institution owes its origins to King James II of Scotland, who persuaded Pope Nicholas V to issue a Papal Bull authorising its foundation in 1451. Since then, the University has changed its location in the city as it has steadily grown.

Our first base was in Glasgow Cathedral. The University operated from here until 1460, when it moved to the city’s High Street. Over the next 400 years it grew in scope and size, prompting a second and final move to Gilmorehill in the west end of Glasgow in 1870. Parts of the High Street campus – Pearce Lodge and the Lion and Unicorn Staircase – were moved stone by stone to the University’s new home and can still be seen among our 104 listed buildings.

Today, our Gilmorehill campus is centred around a neo-gothic main building designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott. The building’s distinctive spire was added by his son John Oldrid Scott in the late 19th century.