About Glasgow University

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world. Over the last five centuries, it has fostered the talents of seven Nobel Laureates, one prime Minister and Scotland’s inaugural First Minister.

Glasgow’s distinguished history of teaching politics began in the 1760s, when Adam Smith gave a series of lectures on justice, police, revenue and arms at the University. Over the past few years, Politics has reorganised its focus and its traditional strengths in political theory and comparative politics have been expanded to include international relations, human rights, and political communication.

Aerial view of the Main BuildingFacts and figures

The University of Glasgow:

  • was established in 1451
  • is ranked 51st in the world (QS World University Rankings 2013)
  • is rated fourth in the UK for international student satisfaction (among universities participating in the International Student Barometer Summer 2013)
  • welcomes students from 120 countries worldwide
  • has more than 23,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • is a major employer in the city of Glasgow with more than 6,000 staff, including 2,000 active researchers
  • has annual research income of more than £177m
  • is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities
  • is a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education
  • is a member of IRUN (International Research Universities Network) – an international network of broad-based research universities
  • includes among its alumni, the father of economics Adam Smith, Scotland’s architect of devolution Donald Dewar and renowned physicist and engineer Lord Kelvin.

 

The University of Glasgow: Study with Style

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