Glasgow, Scotland
University of Glasgow Partnership
Program Overview
EXPLORE CULTURAL RICHES IN SCOTLAND’S LARGEST, FRIENDLIEST CITY
Part of the prestigious Russell Group of UK schools, this university has high-caliber academics on a large, city campus, with everything from triple-accredited business to public policy. Special classes like bagpiping make it easy to explore Scottish culture, as well as the arts, medicine, or volunteering.
If the architecture looks familiar, it’s said these historic campus buildings were the inspiration for Hogwarts. And though you won’t meet wizards, with 40 percent of the university’s students from western Scotland, you’ll have many opportunities to get to know local peers.
Rich in history yet plenty hip and spirited, the city of Glasgow is Scotland’s financial and cultural center. Great public transportation makes it easy to explore. You’ll want to experience Scotland’s rugged landscapes, too. Head out hiking or bouldering with the mountaineering club (the most active group on campus).
With IFSA, your program also includes many cultural activities and an unforgettable Highland excursion. Explore icons like the Three Sisters peaks, Loch Ness, and Dunnottar castle, as you gain an insider’s view of the historical events that shaped this country’s history and culture. Plus, special activities give you an insider’s view of the city tourists often miss.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
3.00
Credit load
15
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room Option
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
None
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn more.
Academics
CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.
Search for courses on the University of Glasgow’s online course catalog here.
- In the middle of the page, click the “Online Course Catalog” link
- Click on “undergraduate course catalog” for all level 1 and level 2 classes (equivalent to freshman and sophomore level classes in the U.S.)
- Click on “departmental webpages” for information on level 3 and level 4 honors classes (equivalent to junior and senior level classes in the U.S.)
Credit Conversions
At the University of Glasgow, a full course load for a semester is 60 Glasgow credits (equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours).
1 SCQF credit = .25 U.S. semester credit hours
SPECIAL CLASS OPTIONS
You also have the opportunity to take one of the following special classes:
Acrylic Painting, Graphic Design, Life Drawing, and Stained Glass
Taught at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art, you can choose one of four classes. Learn more here.
Bagpipes: History, Repertoire and Performance
Taught through the Scottish National Piping Centre, this course consists of three class hours a week at the piping centre. One hour is spent in a small group lecture learning about the bagpipes in relation to Scottish history and culture. One hour is spent in small group instruction in playing the bagpipes, and the third hour is spent in one-on-one instruction with the tutor. For more information, please click here.
Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.
Accounting & Finance
Students cannot take classes from different levels. Level 3 classes are not available.
Astronomy
Only suitable for full-year students.
Biology/Biomedical Sciences
At least two-thirds of classes must come from the department. Semester 1 not recommended if you want to take all level 4 classes.
Chemistry
It is not possible to take chemistry classes alongside other subjects. Students cannot mix levels within this subject. Preferably only for full-year study.
Comparative Literature
Single semester students cannot take level 3 classes.
Computer Science
Most level 3 and 4 classes are not available to Semester 1 students.
Dentistry
Not available.
Economics
Level 3 classes are not available. Students must have previously completed classes in Introductory and Intermediate Micro and Macro Economics plus some math/statistics to take level 4 classes. Students cannot mix levels within this subject.
Education
Semester 1 or full-year study recommended.
Engineering
Level 1 and 2 not available. Students can only take classes associated with a single engineering degree. Students cannot mix levels within this subject.
English Language & Linguistics
Level 3 classes not available.
English Literature
English majors may take up to two level 4 classes. Non-majors are restricted to level 1 and 2 classes. Students cannot mix level 1 and level 2 classes.
Film a& Television Studies
Students may take up to two level 4 classes per semester. Level 3 and 4 Practical Filmmaking classes are not available.
Management
Level 4 classes available only.
Mathematics
Only available to Semester 2 or full-year students.
Medicine
Not available.
Politics (Political Science)
Level 4 classes available only.
Scottish Gaelic
Level 1 and 2 Gaelic language classes are not available in Semester 2.
Sociology
Level 3 and 4 classes available only to students majoring in sociology at their home institution.
Statistics
Only available to Semester 2 or full-year students.
Theater Studies
Level 3 and 4 classes only available to students majoring in theatre at their home institution.
Veterinary Medicine
Not available.
Consider enrolling in a community-based learning class taught through Glasgow’s Public Policy Department. Students complete volunteer work for six hours per week and take a related course for 5 U.S. semester credit hours. Read more about the details. Students must apply for and receive a PBS Tier 4 visa in order to participate in volunteer activities. IFSA will guide you through the visa process; however, you are responsible for the $500 cost for the visa.
New country, new way of learning!
Here’s what to expect at the University of Glasgow:
- More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
- Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members.
- More advanced instruction and material than you’d find in a class at the same level in the United States. Scottish students specialize earlier and have extensive background in that area before university studies.
- Assignments are often rewarded for broad reading and ability to analyze and demonstrate understanding of different arguments and perspectives.
- Final grades are often based on a final exam or paper, or on a small number of assignments.
- Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including an assigned advisor. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.
- Opportunity to add or drop classes during the first two weeks. IFSA staff in Scotland are available to help you navigate this.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
- You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the semester program or one (1) full-time year of study at your home institution before the beginning of the year program.
- Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.
Recommendation Letter
Not required.
TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.
Excursions
Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.
Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.
Activities
- City Walking Tour: During IFSA Orientation, learn about the city on foot and attend a walking tour of the social, cultural, and historical sites of Glasgow.
- Scottish Parliament Tour: See behind the scenes on a guided tour through the chambers of the Scottish Parliament, how the Scottish Government makes new laws on devolved matters, and how it debates the issues of the day.
- Glasgow Mural and Street Art Walking-Tour: Glasgow has created a Mural Trail featuring the diverse range of art within easy walking distance of the city center. Follow the trail of a huge range of artwork on display which has something to suit all tastes, from conservative to radical, quirky to bizarre. Enjoy discovering the hidden public art, with assistance from digital resources, with this self-paced walking tour.
- Ceilidh Dancing to Scottish Folk Music: A Ceilidh is a fun-filled night of wild dancing, good music, and Scottish culture! A live Scottish folk band plays through traditional music as one of the band members calls out the dance steps to the group, teaching how the dance goes. As the music takes off, the fun begins.
Excursion
- Highlands Trip: On your first day of the Highland’s excursion, delve into the past and discover how Scottish Highland ancestors lived, how they built their homes, how they tilled the soil, and how they dressed. Then visit the Culloden Battlefield, location of the final Jacobite Rising. It was the last and most harrowing battle to be fought on British soil and its impact ripples into present day Scotland. On day two, sail across the waters of the legendary Loch Ness to learn about the history of the renowned loch and what makes it so famous. Perhaps have a look for the Loch Ness Montser yourself! Immersed yourself in the verdant and impressive rolling hills and mountains of the highlands with spectacular views of the Three Sisters Mountains in Glencoe. Also experience the poignant history of Stirling at the Wallace Monument and learn about the history of the battles fought at this strategically located city.
Housing and Meals
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Residence Hall/Dormitory, Single Room OptionMeals
Self-CateringDetails
Students live near the university in single or double rooms in residence halls, or in large complexes divided into furnished apartments (called flats) for two to 12 students. Some buildings are modern, others traditional. Some are managed by the university; others are provided through housing partners.
For meals, students prepare their own food in well-equipped shared kitchens—often a fun part of the day—or take advantage of the West End’s many restaurants, cafes, food markets, and food trucks, representing every taste.
Housing is typically no more than a 15-minute walk from the university.
Sample housing
Explore Cairncross House to see what your home away might be like:
- Location: A 14-minute walk from the university, about halfway between the university and the city center.
- Living space: This four-story building contains a mix of single and double rooms, each with a bed, desk, lamp, chair, wash basin, and storage, for each student. Bedding and sheets provided. Students share bathrooms and provide towels.
- Meals: No meal plan. Cairncross has well-equipped kitchens with stoves, refrigerators, microwaves, kettles, personal storage, and dining space where students can prepare and eat their own meals. It’s a fun, social part of the day. Students provide dishes and other kitchenware basics—we’ll help with resources that make it easy and inexpensive to get what you need.
- Additional details: 24/7 security. Reception. Laundry facilities on-site. Common room, study room, and computer room. Outdoor seating. Bike storage.
- Nearby: The West End, full of cafes, restaurants, and shops. Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Musuem. Glasgow Botanic Gardens. Buchanan Street. Glasgow Green.
Dates and Fees
Get Started
Jasmine Di Diego
Enrollment Counselor
