University of Glasgow

Overview

The University of Glasgow (UofG) is a public research university in Glasgow, Scotland. Created by the papal bull in 1451, it is one of Scotland’s four ancient universities as well as the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It envisions itself as a world-class, world-changing university. With this, its mission is to provide a world-class environment for learning and research where students and staff are empowered to share knowledge.

UofG offers over 100 graduate courses, more than 300 postgraduate taught courses, and more than 90 postgraduate research programs. The university houses four colleges: the College of Arts, College of Social Sciences, College of Science & Engineering, and the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences. The university also offers massive open online courses, short courses, and study abroad and exchange student programs.

In 1451, Pope Nicholas V issued a decree, which led to the founding of the university. Over the years, UofG would be home to a number of groundbreaking innovations. In 1881, William Thomson created one of the first houses in the world to be fully powered by electricity within campus grounds. In 1896, UofG opened the world’s first hospital X-ray department. In 1958, Professor Ian Donald published the world’s first ultrasound images of a fetus.

Notable alumni of UofG include economist and philosopher Adam Smith; William Thomson, who is known for developing the second law of thermodynamics and the absolute temperature scale; and James Watt, who came up with the Watt steam engine.

UofG is considered one of the top universities in the United Kingdom, according to The Guardian. Globally, it has been included in the top 80 to 100 range in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher World University Rankings. It has been given a Bronze Award by Athena SWAN in recognition of its employment and support of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine in higher education. UofG is also one of two universities in Scotland with Fair Trade status, a standard that ensures that goods are sourced from farmers and workers in the developing world who are paid fair prices and have decent working conditions.

The university’s expansion plans include constructing the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, a state-of-the-art conference venue with a lecture theater and interactive teaching spaces. The facility will allow teams of researchers to work together on five thematic areas: digital chemistry, international development, technology touching life, quantum and nanotechnology, and creative economies and cultural transformation.