Life at Glasgow

Situated in the central belt of Scotland on the River Clyde, Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, with a population of 600,000.  The heart of the city is George Square, site of many of Glasgow's public statues and the elaborate Victorian Glasgow City Chambers. It's impossible not to be impressed by the social and cultural choice available in Glasgow.  Here are some vibrant city life offerings: 

• Fantastic shopping in a city named the best place to shop outside London's West End for the last four years running 
• A legendary live music scene 
• 13 museums displaying some of Europe's richest collections, many for free 
• A network of 27 sports centres, as well as three international football stadia 
• A thriving collection of artists and galleries, including major collections by the city's most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh 
• Around 700 pubs, bars and nightclubs 
• Churches, mosques, temples and synagogues within easy reach 
• 15 theatres and concert venues spanning innovative new work as well as traditional favourites 
• Countless local, national and international festivals celebrating everything from folk music and live art to food and film.

Glasgow is an official Unesco 'City of Music': a rare accolade, and is the only UK destination to feature in the Lonely Planet's top 10 world cities list for 2008. Because of this, it's no surprise that Glasgow is home to the largest student population in Scotland. More than 45,000 students choose Glasgow as the city they want to study in. They come to experience life in the heart of Scotland and to gain memories and friends they will never forget: Glaswegians' reputation for friendliness means that wherever you come from, and however long you stay, it's easy to treat the city as your second home.  And with three airports within 45 miles of the city, Glasgow offers easy access from all over the world.

Culture

The cultural choice in Glasgow is outstanding. The Scottish Opera, the Scottish Ballet, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra are all resident in the city. Theatres include the famous Citizens, the Tron, the Arches and the Tramway. A total of 13 museums display some of Europe's richest collections, many for free, including work by the city's most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Access to the great outdoors

Very few cities can combine an exciting urban agenda with such easy access to the great outdoors. Glasgow's exceptional location, 25 minutes from the Clyde coast and 40 minutes from Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and routes to the Highlands and the Cairngorms, gives its residents access to some of the best hill-walking, climbing, sailing and golf in the world.

Sport

Host city for the Commonwealth Games 2014 and home to Celtic and Rangers football clubs, Glasgow claims sport as a major part of its culture. And with a network of 27 sports centres offering facilities for all types of activities, sport is not just for spectators in the city.

Food

With a richly diverse and multicultural population, Glasgow supports all kinds of cuisine. The city's café culture offers the latest trends in global cuisine from style and sushi bars to restaurants, brasseries, the best in vegetarian and vegan, Indian, Chinese, Italian and French as well as countless comfortable and low-key eateries, all celebrated annually in Gourmet Glasgow week.

Music and nightlife

Renowned for the discovery of acts such as Oasis, Franz Ferdinand and Primal Scream, Glasgow never stops playing the best music.

Artists from all over the world come to play in Glasgow's venues, from the SECC which has an auditorium large enough to attract the world's biggest bands to King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, an intimate venue famed for showcasing the best up-and-coming acts and a constant contender in worldwide best venue awards.

Night owls thrive in the city's network of 700 pubs, bars and nightclubs, playing everything from house, indie, metal and northern soul to funk and R'n'B. Comedy finds a home at the Stand and Jongleurs, and there is a range of cinemas from mainstream to arthouse to choose from.

Shopping

Glasgow's shopping centre has been named the best place to shop outside London's West End for the last four years running. Try:

• The Italian Centre in the Merchant City for top-class designer shopping
• The West End for one-off wonders and vintage
• Buchanan Galleries and Braehead shopping centres for the best in high street
• The city centre's Princes Square for boutique chic

Festivals

With Edinburgh only 50 minutes away by train, access to the annual International and Fringe Festivals couldn't be easier. But Glasgow's own festivals are increasingly making a name for themselves around the world. Not a month goes by without something happening. Some of the best include:

• The Glasgow International Comedy Festival
• The International Festival of Contemporary Visual Art
• Celtic Connections Folk Festival
• The International Jazz Festival
• Glasgow Film Festival
• Aye Write! Bank of Scotland Book Festival

Campus culture

The University of Glasgow benefits from being located in an area with an identity and life all of its own: the West End. A short walking distance from the city centre, with great bus and underground links, the West End has a reputation as the cosmopolitan quarter of Glasgow. It has a calendar of activities throughout the year, including its very own West End Festival in the summer.

West End

The University is in the West End of the City, characterised by its red and gold sandstone Victorian buildings and dominated by the impressive University of Glasgow campus. The West End is also home the massive and recently refurbished Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, cinemas, pubs, restaurants, and countless parks. There you will also find a thriving community spirit, more residential than the city centre, West Enders enjoy a quieter pace; though with all that is on offer, it’s never boring. And, the city centre is only a short walk, underground ride, or bus trip away.

For more information on the City please visit our webpages:

• The city of Glasgow
• The West End