Glasgow University - In Depth

Founded: 1451.

Site: Compact campus in West End of city. Also Garscube Campus (veterinary medicine), a greenfield site 4 miles away; and Crichton Campus, Dumfries (interdisciplinary programmes) shared with Paisley University.

How to get there: Glasgow well connected to all regions of the UK by train (5 1/2 hours from London to Glasgow Central, under an hour from Edinburgh), by coach (8 1/2 hours from London to Buchanan Bus Station) and by air (1 hour flight from London to Glasgow Airport 7 miles from centre or Prestwick Airport 22 miles); by road (M8). University well served by local buses (44), underground (Hillhead) and trains (Partick); cycle racks on campus.

Awarding body: Glasgow University.

Main undergraduate awards: BAcc, BArch, BD, BDS, BEd, BMus, BN, BSc, BEng, MEng, LLB, MA, MB ChB, MSci, BVMS, BTechEd, BTheol, BTechnol, BTechS.

Length of courses: 4 years (hons); others 3 years and 5 years.

Library & information services: Main and departmental libraries with over 2 million volumes; separate reading area with all first year texts. Annual expenditure on information provision, £147 per (FTE) student. IT service separate; 400 points with access to interne', 3000+ to the library. IT facilities open 12+ hours/day with 2 user support staff. Familiarisation sessions with library and information services as part of general induction; certificate in IT compulsory for all new students. Other learning facilities: Computer centre, language laboratories.

Specialist collections: Extensive and valuable collection of books and manuscripts. Also Hunterian Museum (anatomical and surgical drawings, instruments etc); Hunterian Art Gallery (old masters, Whistlers, Chardins, Charles Rennie Mackintosh House), ethnographic and Roman collections.

Study abroad: 5% of students spend a period abroad. Wide range of exchanges with universities and colleges across the EU, North America, Canada & Australia for students in many subject areas. Careers: Advice (including summer jobs) and placement service.

Student advice & services: Student health centre (works in co-operation with students' own local doctor). Student counselling service, effective learning advisers; special needs adviser; academic advisers for all students.

Amenities: SRC shops, travel bureau, bank, insurance bureau, printing and photocopying facilities: 2 student unions with lounges, bars, TV rooms; mature student association.

Sporting facilities: Physical education building offering wide range of indoor sports, 25m swimming pool, 3 activity halls, cardiovascular and muscle-conditioning suites and sauna. Athletic grounds with bar and pavilion about 2 miles from campus. Access to international sports facilities in Kelvin Hall sports arena.

Accommodation: 100% of first years who require it are in university accommodation. 3800 places available (3000 for first years), most with telephone and data points: catered room £3062 pa (ensuite £3508 pa), term-time contract; self-catering £2337-£3124 pa (£2285-£2392 shared), academic year contract. Private accommodation - self-catering £60 per week. 40% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: No university-recommended minimum.

Term-time work: No university policy on part time work in term time (30% of students believed to work). Some work available on campus in registry, helping with student recruitment, admissions, matriculation; also SRC operates a JobShop.

Financial help: Total available £750,000 government funds, 1800 students helped. Special help for those in private or university owned/sublet accommodation, those with child-minding costs (including travel), extra costs arising from a disability or special needs, or mature students. £53,000 own funds, 100 students helped.

Tuition fees: Scottish and EU students pay no fees during course; other UK home students up to £1200 pa for first degrees (in 2005). International students pay £8000 pa (classroom), £10,100 (lab-based), £15,000-£19,100 (clinical).