Glasgow University - Student View

Glasgow makes no concessions to trendy innovations - it gives security of an ancient Scottish university education, with wide-ranging chances in corporate life.

Cultural and educational opportunities set in Gothic grandeur of varsity buildings refute slum-bound image of Glasgow; the city (especially West End), where university situated, is very attractive.

It comes as a surprise to many freshers that Glasgow University has two independent student unions; the first major decision is which union to join. Glasgow University Union (GUU) is the bigger, in a grade II listed building at the foot of University Avenue. It has good, cheap watering holes - the renowned Beer Bar or Beerie and, in the basement, Deep 6 - and a nightclub, The Hive, which frequently hosts big-name DJs and is a popular student venue especially on Thursday, Lollipop night.

GUU also has 5 other bars, as well as libraries, dining room, smoke room, buffet (excellent filled rolls), coffee shop, billiards hall (10 full size tables), pool hall, bedrooms and, last but by no means least, the debates chamber where big bands have been known to play and five separate pairs of World Debating Champions have been trained over the last 15 years. The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), on the other side of the hill, is smaller but also with a range of facilities.

Athletic club's excellent Stevenson Building contains Olympic swimming pool and many indoor sports, as well as supporting university's teams and sporting clubs.

In addition to the two unions, the Students' Representative Council (SRC) represents the interests of students on campus, provides a minibus service, student welfare and advice centre, nightline, and supports all the university clubs and societies. It is also responsible for a range of award-winning student media: Glasgow University Guardian, the GU magazine (GUM), television station (GUST) and radio station (SubCify Radio).