Glasgow University

What's it like as a place to live? Glasgow is an extremely vibrant city which manages to cater to many different interests while retaining a friendly and relaxed feel. Food and drink is relatively cheap, and you can get a lot of good deals around the city in unusual or international cuisine restaurants.

How's the student accommodation? There are 6 or 7 different halls of residence based around the West End of Glasgow. All but two are self-catering, and based around a more intimate flat-based environment rather than hallways of rooms. Each flat has a bathroom and kitchen along with the private bedrooms. It's relatively well priced since electricity and internet connections are covered in the rent. Standards of finishings etc can vary, but overall the accommodation is of a good standard.

What's the student population like? About 40% of students at Glasgow live at home or come from Glasgow, but within the other 60% there is a diverse range of people with a large proportion of international students.

How do students and locals get on? The vast majority of students will spend their time in the West End of Glasgow, where the University is and many of the most popular and coolest pubs, bars and restaurants can be found. Students and 'locals' live side by side and there isn't a lot of tension: especially since, as previously mentioned, 40% of students at Glasgow are from the city.

What's it like as a place to study? The course system at Glasgow is flexible, and allows for students to explore different subjects that may be of interest to them before choosing a final degree subject. Students in first and second year can choose up to 3 subjects to study, specialising in one of these subjects during 3^rd and 4^th year. This allows students to really experience the learning environment before making that important decision of their degree choice. The library has recently been renovated, and with 12 floors of books you're likely to find exactly what you're looking for, plus there's a large number of computers to work at all over campus. There's also a great, redeveloped gym so you can keep fit while you're working hard!

What are the teaching staff like? Glasgow scored very well in the National Student Survey. Staff are friendly and there are supportive tutors and Advisors of Studies allocated to each student to ensure any help needed is given. 

What are student societies like? Glasgow is very unusual in its set-up of student organisations: there are 3 on campus. The Students' Representative Council deals solely with the well-being of students, and campaigns for improvements at the University while providing a range of services such as cheap photocopying, a secondhand bookshop, and a free minibus service to Halls of Residence. There are 2 Student Unions which each have their own atmosphere, events, and board of management. As a result of this, students can really choose what sort of experiences they want to have, and have a much greater choice of entertainment. There are over 80 clubs and societies affiliated to the SRC, so students are sure to find a group of people with similar interests. If not, they can create their own society!

What's a typical night out? There is no 'typical' night out in Glasgow. Because of the range of bars and clubs there's a lot of choice. Glasgow has a vibrant and much-praised music scene, so often students go to gigs around the city. The student unions provide clubnights and quizzes. Clubs in the city cater for every type of music taste, from pop and cheesy '80s music to metal to cutting edge techno and D&B. There is also a plethora of small pubs and bars throughout the city for students who want a quieter night.

And how much does it cost? Many clubs grant you free entry, but most will charge £4-£5 for students. Gigs depend on the band, but usually you can visit most smaller venues for £8 or under.

How can you get home safely? Glasgow taxis are relatively cheap: you can usually get from the city centre to most places in Glasgow for under a fiver. The SRC operates a free minibus service during the week for students to get from campus to their Halls of Residence. A lot of students walk home after a night out, and while this is usually safe, we would always recommend taking a taxi home. Night buses run all night throughout the city, run by local companies. 

Is it an expensive place to live? Glasgow is a cheap place to live in, but the West End, where most students live, is more expensive than the rest of Glasgow. There are lots of student deals available, so it's possible to get by on your loan with a few well-chosen bargains.

Average price of a pint? This ranges from about £2.30 in local pubs to about £3.20 in the pricier bars in town. The Student Unions have pints for under £2.

And the price of a takeaway? Around £4 for a pizza or kebab, but the local specialty of chips and cheese will cost around £2.

What's the part-time work situation? The SRC has a Jobshop which allows employers to advertise roles primarily for students. The University is understanding of the fact that many students have to work during their time at University, and as such can be quite flexible. There are a number of jobs available, ranging from call-centre work to bar jobs, but the competition for employment increases significantly during the summer months, and often students find it difficult to get a job during that time. 

What's the best feature about the place? The city as a whole is vibrant, cosmopolitan and exciting. Glasgow as a University is full of opportunities and there's so much on offer to students to take advantage of.

And the worst? The weather in Glasgow during winter is absolutely miserable: rain and cold for about 5 months.

And to sum it all up? One of the most exciting cities in the UK that's full of culture, music and brilliant banter. Definitely worth considering if you want to learn an awful lot, not just from your degree.

Teddy Taylor MP, John Smith (former Labour Party leader), William Boyd (author), Pat Kane (Hue and Cry), Donald Dewar MP, Charles Kennedy MP, Lord Irvine (ex-Lord Chancellor). 

Websites for GUU (www.guu.co.uk), QMU (www.qmu.org.uk) and SRC (www.glasgowstudent.net).