Archives & Special Collections

University Archive

Introduction

The official records of the University created and accumulated since our foundation in 1451. Including University related records deposited by staff, alumni and associated organizations and the records of predecessor institutions.  The University’s records are an outstanding resource for Scotland’s educational, intellectual and cultural history.

The oldest records in the Archive are charters dating from the 13th century conveying land and privileges that eventually came to the University. The records of individual staff and students and groups and societies are also included.

The University of Glasgow Story gives an insight into the lives of the University's community, drawing upon the University's own records and other collections to tell the stories of some of the individuals who are part of the University's history.

Featured Collections

The featured collections section highlights some of the collections held by the University Archive, including Collecting Covid-19, the Glasgow Guardian and the University of Glasgow Blackhouse Charters, 1304 to 1717.

Catalogues

Search for papers of staff, alumni and University related organisations. Browse the University of Glasgow Archive catalogue.

Guides

These guides highlight sources of information relating to the following research topics:

• Alumni societies (2 pages, 35kB, pdf)
• Medical Humanities collections
• Prominent individuals associated with the University
• Predecessor and affiliated institutions
• Rectorial Addresses
  • Benjamin Disraeli 19th November 1873 (24 pages, 4.1MB, pdf)
  • Earl of Birkenhead Idealism in International Politics, 3rd November 1923 (12 pages, 3.3MB, pdf)
  • Jimmy Reid Alienation, 28th April 1972 (13 pages, 5MB, pdf)
  • Sir Archibald Sinclair Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, 7th February 1940 (23 pages, 3.4MB, pdf)
• Select bibliography for the history of the University of Glasgow (3 pages, 94kB, pdf)
• Student records 
• Student societies (5 pages, 183kB, pdf)
• University of Glasgow (11 pages, 84kB, pdf)
• War studies (8 pages, 238kB, pdf)
• Waterloo, Battle of (2 pages, 243kb, pdf)
• Who, Where and When: The History and Constitution of the University of Glasgow (224 pages, 741kB, pdf)
• Womens history (4 pages, 174kB, pdf)

Online Student Publications 

• Glasgow Guardian

For a comprehensive list of all our research guides, please go to A-Z of guides.