Where is Glasgow? A guide for International Students

Moving to a new country for university is a huge adventure. Exciting? Absolutely. Slightly terrifying? Also yes. It might also involve Googling random questions like “What is Scottish weather like?” and “What is Haggis?” if Glasgow is on your hot list!  

If you’ve decided that Glasgow might just be the student city for you, then you’ll probably be wondering things like what the city is actually like, where it is, and whether it’s a good place to live as an international student. The answer in short? Glasgow is an absolutely fantastic student city. It’s lively, with tonnes of personality, and is full of  lots of friendly people to meet and places to explore. 

To help you with your decision, here’s a quick and easy guide to getting to know Glasgow before you arrive.

So, where exactly is Glasgow?

Glasgow is a city in Scotland. It’s on the west coast of the UK and is the biggest city in Scotland - but it’s not the capital. 

If you’ve heard more about Edinburgh, don’t worry, that’s pretty common as that’s the capital of Scotland. Glasgow, however, has its own vibe entirely. It’s less touristy, and is known for being a really creative, lively, welcoming city. And, it’s packed with students from all over the world.

It’s also easy to get to many other places in the UK with Glasgow as your base. Edinburgh is less than an hour away on the train, Manchester is around 3 hours away, and London can be reached in around 4.5 hours if you’re keen to explore the capital.

And yes, people here really do have Scottish accents! You’ll get used to them eventually we promise!

Why do international students choose Glasgow?

One of the biggest draws bringing International students to Glasgow is that it feels immediately welcoming. It’s a busy and exciting city without being too overwhelming, and there’s a real mix of cultures across the city to make you feel at home. 

Glasgow is home to a few different universities and has a huge student population. So as an international mover, you'll quickly become part of the student clan. There are always lots of events happening, societies to join, and new people to meet wherever you go in the city. 

Glasgow is also generally a bit more affordable than some other major cities in the UK when it comes to food, transport, and nights out…which is always helpful when you’re trying to survive on a tight student budget!

The city is also famous for its massive music scene, lots of independent foodie hangouts, boutique shopping and charity stores, cool art galleries, and trendy cafés. Basically, you’ll never run out of things to do and places to try. 

Another massive bonus? Scotland’s scenery is absolutely unreal. From Glasgow, you can easily visit mountains, lochs, beaches, and countryside spots that look straight out of a film set.

What's it like to be a student in Glasgow?

Student life here is a balance of studying hard and enjoying all your favourite parts of the city. 

During the week, you’ll find yourself studying in coffee shops, libraries, and uni campus spaces. And then by the weekend, you’ll be soaking up all the live music, markets, restaurants, and social events.

One thing international students often notice is how friendly the city feels and how nice the local people are. Glaswegians are known for being chatty and welcoming, and if you ever need a recommendation for a good bar or restaurant, you’re sure to get plenty of suggestions - even from complete strangers!

How do you find the best student accommodation in Glasgow?

The place where you live in Glasgow can make a huge difference to how much you enjoy your time there. Especially when you’re moving abroad for university. You want somewhere that’s safe, comfortable, social, and close to everything in the city so you can settle in fast. 

That’s why many international students choose true student Glasgow.

With modern rooms, study areas, cool places to hang out and socialise, and a strong student community, it’s designed to help international students settle in quickly and feel at home from the very first day. 

There’s a state of the art gym, a roof terrace, a cinema, a festival area and free fitness classes on tap. Plus, it’s safe, secure and parking your bike is free too. 

Whether you’re arriving in the UK for the first time or continuing your studies in a new city, having the right accommodation can make the whole experience feel much less stressful.

Like the sound of being a student in Glasgow?

If Glasgow sounds like a place you’d love to spend some of your study years, and you’re looking for modern student accommodation in the heart of the city, check out true student Glasgow HERE.