Our city of Glasgow isn’t only the biggest in Scotland, but also the most welcoming (in our very humble opinion!). It’s home to a plethora of universities, some of which are world-renowned for their excellence so it’s no surprise that it has become a popular destination for students from around the world to come, seeking a high level of education.
For international students, navigating a new city and its cultural differences can be a daunting experience which is why we’ve created this guide to help with everything from finding accommodation to understanding local customs and culture, and will hopefully provide international students with all the information they need to make the most of their time in Glasgow.
Preparing for Your Arrival to Glasgow
The excitement of moving to a new city can be overwhelming, so it’s important to take time to prepare. Here are some important things to consider before touching down.
Travel Arrangements
From Glasgow Airport
Similar to many airports found around the world, Glasgow Airport is just outside of Glasgow, in Paisley.
However, unlike many airports, Glasgow doesn’t have a direct train line into the city centre from the airport so there are other forms of transport you can use.
- Taxi: There are plenty of taxi operators to choose from in Glasgow. You have Glasgow Taxis, Network Private Hire, Renfrewshire Taxis, or one that everyone knows, Uber.
- Bus: Although the airport lacks a direct train line, they do provide an excellent express bus service that takes passengers from the airport to the city centre in just 15 minutes. Click here to learn more about their bus service.
- Taxi & Train: If, for some reason, you don’t want to catch the bus and don’t wish to pay for a full taxi ride, you can get a quick 5-minute taxi to Paisley Gilmour Street Train Station, which offers regular and direct trains into Glasgow Central Station.
If you’re travelling from an airport that isn’t Glasgow Airport, you will be required to sort out travel arrangements from there to the city centre. All major cities will usually have bus or train routes to Glasgow; however, conducting research on how to get to Glasgow is advised.
Accommodation Options
There are many options of accommodation for international students in Glasgow- too many to list! However, we’ll provide some notable options in popular student areas across Glasgow.
City Centre
West End
Southside
If you want to search for yourself, we recommend using Amber to find the student accommodation that best suits your needs. Click here to visit Amber and search for student accommodation.
If you’re moving to a new city, you’ll likely be bringing a lot of your valuables with you. We often see international students unable to fit all of their things in their accommodation so if you need some extra storage space, get in touch with our team. We offer highly secure and affordable self-storage units to students. Display your official student card and receive 20% off!
Healthcare in Glasgow
Fortunately, international students coming to Scotland to study full-time can access NHS services from the day they arrive and until one day after their course ends.
According to NHS Inform Scotland, you may require some documentation to show before receiving care under the NHS. These are:
From the EEA or Switzerland
If you’re from the EEA or Switzerland, you could be asked to show your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and/or a letter from your academic institution confirming that you’re studying full-time here in Scotland.
Not from the EEA or Switzerland
If you’re not from the EEA or Switzerland, you’ll usually be required to show your student visa and/or a letter from your academic institution confirming that you’re studying full-time here in Scotland.
Public Transport in Glasgow
Fortunately, Glasgow is a highly walkable city. Many bars, restaurants and shopping centres can all be found in the city centre without the need to travel via public transport. However, if you’re living in the West End or Southside, or want to go further afield, the public transport system is decent.
Below, we’ll discuss the three forms of public transport found in Glasgow – buses, trains, and the subway.
Buses
You can reach almost anywhere in Glasgow by bus; if there’s a road, you can bet a bus won’t be far away! The two main operators here in Glasgow are First Bus and McGill’s Buses. They both operate different routes throughout the city and surrounding areas, such as Paisley, Braehead and Bishopbriggs.
As this is a guide for students, we have to mention their student deals that mean you can save as much money as possible while travelling. We’ve already mentioned the student deals from First Bus in one of our recent articles, which you can find here.
Mcgill’s Buses offer a student deal too which can be purchased on their app, website, or on the bus itself. You can see the deals by clicking here.
Trains
Travelling by train is much easier in Glasgow. As long as you know where your nearest train station is, you can simply visit Trainline.com to find the best train for you.
Glasgow is known to have one of the highest collection of train stations in the UK, and especially in Scotland.
If you’re a full-time student, you can purchase a railcard that provides a discount of 33% on all tickets. This is the perfect way to save cash while you study here in Glasgow.
Find out more about Scotrail’s Student Railcard by clicking here.
Subway
Unfortunately, the subway doesn’t offer any helpful student discounts. However, what they do provide is an excellent and affordable way of travel throughout the city.
Compared to the London Underground, Glasgow’s Subway is rather restrictive; but, if you’re lucky enough to live by a station, you’ll find it’s easily the best way to get from certain areas of Glasgow, such as the West End into the city centre!
Social Activities
Glasgow offers a lively social scene with a wide variety of activities for international students. Whether you are interested in joining a club, playing sports, or attending events, there is something for everyone.
Below are some examples of social activities to get involved with!
Clubs and Societies
Glasgow’s universities offer a diverse range of clubs and societies for students to join. From cultural and religious groups to academic and social clubs, there are plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and make new friends.
The University of Glasgow, for example, has over 300 clubs and societies, including the International Students’ Club, which is dedicated to providing events and activities for students from abroad. Strathclyde University also offers a huge range of student-led clubs and societies, with around 200 communities to choose from.
There shouldn’t be any problem finding a community to be part of. With so much to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Outdoors Activities
For those who enjoy sports and outdoor activities, Glasgow has lots to offer. The city has a number of parks, including Kelvingrove Park and Glasgow Green, which are perfect for picnics, walks, and outdoor sports.
There are also several sports clubs and facilities, such as the Glasgow Climbing Centre and the Emirates Arena, which offer a range of activities, including climbing, swimming, and fitness classes.
Whichever educational institution you plan on studying, whether it be Glasgow University or City of Glasgow College, they will provide the opportunity to get involved in sports and outdoor activities.
Nightlife
Glasgow is home to some great nightlife all across the city. We have a huge range of nightclubs, pubs, sports bars, adult crazy golf, and much more!
When you arrive at your university, there will be a lot of information about the nightlife- too much for us to detail here. Just know that you won’t be disappointed with the selection of venues you go to, many of which will cater to students by offering discounts.
Summary
In summary, Glasgow is a fantastic place for international students to come and study. The locals aren’t only welcoming, with the tagline ‘People Make Glasgow’ ringing true each day, but we have a lot of fun things to get involved with during your time here.
At GTW Storage, we serve international students each and every day. If you’re in need of some additional storage space, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team or visit our warehouse, located in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre.