A photo of a cupcake with the TeamUofG logo in fondant, large 575 lit candles are stuck into the top

This year, we celebrate our 575th Birthday! (We know, we’ve aged well!) And we are excited to celebrate with you throughout the year!

Our special anniversary kick-starts a series of events throughout 2026 that will see the University and our community reflect on centuries of impact around the world, and come together to collectively create positive future change.

Keep a look out for our birthday campaign where we’ll be asking our community to submit their #UofG575 stories past and present.

This year there are also other special anniversaries too. The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) are celebrating 140 years since their foundation in 1886. The official birthday falls on Monday 9 March 2026, so expect to see more info on activities opportunities to get involved in the coming weeks.

Glasgow University Sports Association (GUSA) are also celebrating 145 years of sport clubs and societies at UofG.

Looking back to the past

Our Principal, ProfessorAndy Schofield, took a walk through our fantastic archives, revisiting moments and members of our community who have helped shape the University of Glasgow. These included the Papal Bull that was signed in 1451, Lord Kelvin’s enrolment record, James McCune Smith’s medical certificate, and many more.

Looking to the future

The University is now a globally connected institution, working in partnership with others across the world to advance global solutions to real world problems.

The University believes everyone should have fair access to education and is proud of its long tradition of helping talented people fulfil their ambitions, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Its people have always been at the forefront of innovation, including eight Nobel Laureates, three UK Prime Ministers, three First Ministers of Scotland, 10 Fellows of the Royal Society and 11 Fellows of the British Academy.

Bringing the world to Glasgow

This year, we will engage with network partners and colleagues from global HEIs, welcoming U21, CIVIS and The Guild to the University.

During the summer, the University will also play a role as the city hosts the Commonwealth Games.

First published: 15 January 2026

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