Progress towards UN SDG 4: Quality education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Our research
The University partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David on the Camau i’r Dyfodol research project, a Welsh Government-funded initiative designed to support educators in implementing the Curriculum for Wales. Working with more than 400 education professionals across the Welsh education system, the project explored how teachers and school leaders can develop practical understandings of curriculum design and learning progression to support effective educational reform.
The project’s final report provides evidence-based recommendations to support the coherent and sustainable realisation of the Curriculum for Wales. Researchers found that uncertainty around accountability, the complexity of curriculum documentation and varying interpretations of curriculum design were barriers to consistent implementation. The study also highlighted the need for greater professional learning opportunities and stronger support for educators undertaking curriculum development roles.
The initiative has informed Welsh Government approaches to curriculum realisation and professional learning, demonstrating the value of collaborative research in supporting large-scale educational change.
Learning & teaching
The University held a ceremony in September 2025 to mark the formal launch of the Centre for Teaching Excellence at the University of Glasgow.
The facility has been established with the aim of ensuring Scotland is at the forefront of global teaching practice and will support research and innovation within the profession.
The Glasgow base will be complemented by a further two hubs in Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (Gaelic Medium Education) and in Dumfries (Rural and Remote Education and Learning for Sustainability). There will be up to 40 secondment opportunities for teachers across the country, to support the work of the research hubs.
The centre has been developed in partnership with teachers and professional associations as part of ongoing work to reform Scotland’s education system.
The Digital Literacy theme delivered as part of the Curriculum for Life equips students with the critical and technical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. Designed for students from all disciplines, the programme develops capabilities in data analysis, research, communication and the identification of misinformation, helping learners become informed citizens and adaptable professionals.
A key offering, They Don’t Want You to Know This: How to Respond to Conspiracy Theories and Disinformation, explores the growing societal impact of conspiracy theories and disinformation. Students learn to identify recurring patterns in misleading narratives, analyse manipulative communication techniques and develop evidence-based strategies for challenging false information. The Applied Data Skills course focuses on transforming raw data into meaningful insights.
Students learn to use the programming language R to process data, create visualisations, generate professional reports and apply generative AI responsibly. Real-world examples from health, education, public policy and the social sciences demonstrate the value of data literacy across sectors.
Together, these courses develop analytical thinking, evidence evaluation and digital competence, preparing students to engage critically with information, make informed decisions and contribute effectively in data-driven societies and workplaces.
University operations
The University of Glasgow’s partnership with IntoUniversity, delivered jointly with the University of Edinburgh, is helping to address educational inequality and expand opportunities for young people from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
Over the past five years more than 8,000 young people have engaged with IntoUniversity centres in Govan, Maryhill and Craigmillar, benefiting from a wide range of support including academic tutoring, mentoring, careers guidance, university visits and work experience opportunities. Through sustained engagement, the programme helps young people develop confidence, broaden their aspirations and navigate pathways into further and higher education.
The impact of the partnership is significant. Across the first four years of the collaboration between IntoUniversity and the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, 70% of school leavers progressed to higher education, compared with a national average of 27.9% among young people from Scotland’s most deprived communities. Since 2021, more than 3,000 students have participated in university experiences delivered through the partnership, supported by over 300 student volunteers.
The University of Glasgow micro credential courses are a gateway to enhancing skills and career prospects in today's competitive job market.
With the aim of supporting employees and employers across the UK to upskill and reskill in response to present-day socioeconomic challenges, our industry-led CPD courses offer learners the opportunity to attain 10-20 academic credits fully online and flexibly around existing work or caring schedules.
Beneficial for working professionals, freelancers, reskillers, jobseekers, and graduates from a variety of industries and professional backgrounds, the University’s micro credentials are designed to equip learners with in-demand skills and tools for your career development, no matter where you are on your journey.
Civic engagement
An ambitious collaboration between the University and Hillhead Primary gave 90 schoolchildren the opportunity to learn more about the media, digital storytelling and the University’s research.
The Kid Reporters project provided young learners with direct access to University researchers, helping them develop communication skills, curiosity and confidence while learning about the role of research in society.
The sessions took place in laboratories, museums, lecture theatres and outdoor learning spaces, giving children hands-on experiences of higher education environments and exposing them to real-world research.
The project was supported by teachers, digital leaders, PhD researchers and Masters students from the School of Education. Drawing on research into children’s agency, digital media and place-based learning, the initiative encouraged pupils to shape and share stories in their own voices. The resulting digital content was showcased at public events attended by families, educators and researchers.
The project highlights the value of collaborative partnerships in creating meaningful learning experiences that inspire young people to explore research, develop digital skills and engage confidently with the world around them.
Tutoring staff from the University of Glasgow worked in classrooms across Scotland in 2025 and 2026 to help engage children and young people in their studies and improve attainment.
In partnership with Queen Margaret University, the scheme will provide extra tutoring support to almost 500 pupils, with a particular focus on those most affected by poverty. The announcement comes as a new survey of almost 1,000 school staff found three-quarters felt the poverty-related attainment gap has narrowed because of the Scottish Government’s flagship Scottish Attainment Challenge (SAC).
The tutoring programme builds on the University of Glasgow’s long-standing commitment to widening participation and ensuring that all young people, regardless of background, can succeed.
