Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) was formed in 1993 through the merger of The Queen's College, Glasgow, founded in 1875, and Glasgow Polytechnic. Its main campus is a single city centre site in Cowcaddens, close to Buchanan Street and the main rail and bus stations. The university also operates GCU London, a smaller campus in the capital offering programmes in areas such as business, fashion and public health, and it has transnational partnerships in several countries across Asia and the Middle East.

GCU has more than 22,000 students and is organised into three schools: Science and Engineering, the Glasgow School for Business and Society, and Health and Life Sciences. Health is a notable strength, with physiotherapy and allied health subjects particularly well regarded, and health research at GCU was recognised for outstanding impact in REF 2021. The university describes its mission as serving the common good, and it places strong emphasis on widening access, sustainability and graduate employability, with over 90 per cent of graduates in work or further study.

Information for International Students

Glasgow Caledonian University welcomes students from more than 100 countries. As a licensed student sponsor, it issues the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) required for a Student visa, and a dedicated visa team handles immigration queries and supports international students throughout their studies. The university runs welcome programmes for the September, January and May intakes, with social activities continuing through the academic year, and offers a free airport pick-up service for international students arriving at Glasgow Airport.

The typical English language requirement is IELTS 6.0 overall, with no element below 5.5, for many programmes, although some courses set higher scores. A range of other English tests and some national secondary school qualifications are also accepted. First-year international students receive priority for the university's on-campus residence, Caledonian Court, although places are limited and a room is not automatically guaranteed. Graduates may be eligible for the UK Graduate Route, which allows time to work in the UK after completing a degree.