The University of Glasgow today celebrated its 575th birthday, marking its world-changing past and future.

Following the tercentenary and bicentenary of two of its most famous alums, Adam Smith and Lord Kelvin in 2023 and 2024, the University is delighted to celebrate its founding in 1451 and 575 years of World-Changing Glasgow.

During this landmark year the University of Glasgow, today a world top 100 university, will reflect on centuries of impact locally, nationally and internationally, celebrating the achievements that inspire future world-changers to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

The University’s Principal and Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield, said: "The University of Glasgow is proud of all it has achieved across its 575-year history.

"Established for the people of our city, we have evolved from being the university for Glasgow, to the university for Glasgow and the world. Our international community of world-changers extends across continents and through centuries.

“Today we invite everyone to join us in marking this remarkable anniversary. This milestone is not just about our past, it’s about the opportunities ahead and the impact we can make together.

"On behalf of our university community - students, alumni, colleagues, partners and friends - I am delighted to wish the University a very happy 575th birthday."

The University of Glasgow was founded by the signing of a Papal Bull on 7th January 1451. It left Rome the same day and arrived in Glasgow in June 1451, when it was proclaimed at Glasgow Cross that a university could open.

Professor Andy Schofield, Principal and Vice Chancellor, and Michael Gallagher (left), University Archivist, with a copy of the Papal Bull created in 1490

The document declared the purpose of the University was to use learning in service of others, and society: "...by assiduous study he may win the pearl of knowledge, which shows him the way to live well and happily, and by the preciousness thereof makes the man of learning far to surpass the unlearned and opens the door for him clearly to understand the mysteries of the Universe, helps the ignorant, and raises to distinction those that were born in the lowest place."

Teaching first began in the Chapter House at Glasgow Cathedral before moving to nearby Rottenrow and then to a site on High Street in the sixteenth century. In 1870 it moved again to its current site on Gilmorehill.

The University is now a globally connected institution, working in partnership with others across the world to advance global solutions to real-world problems. It is proudly part of the prestigious Russell Group and a founding member of the university networks Universitas 21, The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and CIVIS, a European University Alliance.

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.

First published: 7 January 2026

<< University news