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Glasgow School of Art

UCAS Code: G43

Location: Glasgow, central Scotland Show on Map

Site: Single city centre site

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A top specialist art college

Student Population

Total Students:	1,785
Undergraduates:	82%
Postgraduates:	18%
FE Students:	0%

Undergraduates

Total undergraduates:	1,465
Male:	39%
Female:	61%
Full Time:	97%
Mature on Entry:	26%
UK Students:	74%
State school entry:	83%

Teaching Staff

77 full-time, 80 part-time

Broad study areas

Fine art, design (including interior design, silversmithing & jewellery, textiles, visual communication), architecture, product design

Freshers

Admission Information:	AS-levels accepted but not as alternative to A-levels. UCAS tariff not used
Points on Entry (Mean):	378
Drop Out Rate:	3%
Accommodation:	Many first years housed

Institution

Founded:	1845
Structural features:	One of the few independent art schools remaining in the UK. Close relationship with Glasgow University, which validates all its degree courses; students have access to university library and other facilities.
Site:	Glasgow city centre
How to get there:	Glasgow well connected to all regions of the UK by train (5½ hours from London to Glasgow Central, under an hour from Edinburgh), by coach (8½ hours from London to Buchanan Bus Station), by air (1 hour flight from London to Glasgow or Prestwick; Glasgow Airport 7 miles from centre, Prestwick 22 miles) and by road (M8). School in walking distance of main train/bus stations and well served by local buses, underground (Cowcaddens) and train (Charing Cross).

Student services & facilities

Student advice & services:	Full-time welfare officer and student services administrators.
Amenities:	Active students' union, activities committee organises programme of exhibitions, annual fashion show and social functions (eg dances, gigs and clubs).
Accommodation:	Many first year students in school accommodation (priority to those from outside the area and international students). Self-catering places at £83−£105 per week, contracts 38-39 weeks. Most students live in privately-owned accommodation, £280–£310 per month self-catering, plus bills; school database on available accommodation.

Study opportunities & careers

Library & information services:

80,000 volumes, 250 periodicals, 150 study places, 60,000 slides, 200 video cassettes. Information provision, £44 pa spent for each student (FTE). Central library and IT services converged (but also specialist departmental computing resources; sophisticated computer clusters throughout school). Ratio 1:10 workstations to students, access 11 hours on most weekdays. 130 points with access to library and internet. 10 full-time staff give IT support; library induction and 1-hour introduction to computer centre; IT skills eg word-processing, various image manipulation courses.

Study abroad:

Links with 80+ US liberal arts schools. Exchange opportunities with 80 partner institutions worldwide.

Money

Living expenses budget:	Minimum budget of £680 a month (excluding tuition fees) recommended by the School, £950 a month for a couple.
Term-time work:	School allows part-time work for first-degree students. Limited work available on campus.
Financial help:	22 scholarships of £2000 pa for UK students from outside Scotland whose family income is up to £34.2k pa. Various scholarships, value £500 to £1000 pa. Total available £35,500 government funds, minimum £100 awarded. Special help: mature students, those with children, final-year students.
University tuition fees:	Scottish and EU students pay no fees during course; other UK students paid £9000 pa for first degree courses (capped at £27,000 for 4-year courses). International students pay £10,920 pa (£11,160 for BEng/MEng).

Courses

Awarding body:

University of Glasgow

Main undergraduate awards:

BA, BArch, BDes, BEng, MEng

Length of courses:

4 years

Main subjects offered:

Architecture
Art
Fashion
Interior Design
Jewellery
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Product Design
Sculpture
Silversmithing
Textiles
Three-Dimensional Design
Visual Arts

Student view

Living

It's between the city centre and the west end of Glasgow. The majority of students live in the west, a 15-30 min walk to college; there are some halls of residence (handy but best suited to first years from beyond Scotland's central belt). GSA is spread among several buildings, the most famous of which is the Charles Rennie Mackintosh building, bringing tourists in throughout the year. Wide range of courses, falling broadly into architecture, design and fine art. It also maintains a pivotal role in the creative life of a vibrant and renovated city. The students' association (SA), with its own well-loved Vic Café Bar, provides a focal point for socialising and other activities as well as offering welfare and academic advice through the student representative council (SRC). The Vic is a haven to slake your thirst on anything from espresso to beer, from 9am till late; and SA runs highly-regarded club nights from Thursday to Saturday. Host of cafés and pubs in nearby Sauchiehall Street (1 of the 2 main city-centre streets); check out Nice & Sleazy, Griffin and the Centre for Contemporary Arts - CCA.

Summary

Housing: Some halls but expensive; rooms small, in flats of 4-8. Private accommodation locally or in west end; info from GSA, shop windows etc. Eats: Usual city centre offerings as well as bar food in the Vic and a refectory on campus (meal for £2.50); £3+ at Nice & Sleazy's. Drink: SU Vic Café bar (beer £2 a pint). Local bars eg Variety Bar, Brunswick Cellars, Nico's, Uisgebeatha (pronounced Ischkibar) and the 13th Note. Tennents SD good local brew. Nightlife: Glasgow can satisfy most hedonists: art house cinema (GFT) one minute away; live music in the Vic as well as Record Playerz, Divine and Freakmoves which are popular club nights. Glasgow gay scene has much to be desired but Delmonica's, Polo Lounge, Moda and Bennets are all in east of centre and union has monthly gay night. Locals: Quite friendly. Sports: No sports facilities on campus except a ping-pong table but various public facilities 15 min walk, and full access to Glasgow Uni's sports facilities. Travel: Many student discount schemes. Financial help: Access funds for home students. Jobs: Difficult to find, mainly waiting, bar work, odd jobs (minimum wage); word of mouth. Best features: The Vic Bar. And worst: No sports facilities.

Past Students

Steven Campbell, Peter Howson, Adrian Wiszniewski, Ken Currie (artists); Jenny Saville (Saatchi collection); Douglas Gordon (Turner prize winner 1996); Christine Borland (Turner nominee 1997); Alisdair Gray and John Byrne (artists/writers); Peter Capaldi, Robbie Coltrane (actors); Pam Hogg (fashion designer); Toby Patterson (Beck's Futures Prizewinner 2002).