Insider’s Guide to Living in glasgow as a Student: Tips and Tricks

Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and is known for its rich culture, excellent shopping and vibrant nightlife. You might not know this but Glasgow is actually one of the best places to live and work in the UK. Dynamic and ever-changing, both residents and visitors never fail to be impressed by what the city has to offer. If you are considering living in  Glasgow, this guide should give you a rough idea of what Glasgow has to offer.

Cost Of Living In Glasgow

Although Glasgow is one of the least expensive cities in the UK, you may find that living in Glasgow is more expensive than in your home country. Make sure you plan your budget in advance and take into consideration all expenses you may have while studying here. 

Student accommodation in Glasgow or student flats Glasgow is much cheaper than other popular student cities in the UK. In fact, rent in cities like London is around 151.52% more than the rent in Glasgow. The cost of living in Glasgow depends on three things –

• Distance of student housing Glasgow from the university.
• How big the room is and whether one decides to share the room or live privately.
• The student apartments Glasgow and community facilities are available to the students.

Head over to UniAcco to find and book your ideal Glasgow uni accommodation next to top universities in Glasgow. 

The cost of tuition in Glasgow is different for EU and non-EU students. If you are an international student, your tuition fee will depend on the programme you undertake at your university. For instance, the tuition fees for international students at the University of Glasgow starts from £16,970 per annum. 

The most popular means of transportation in Glasgow is buses. Students between 16-18 years of age can avail various discounts and concessions available on bus services. FirstBus offers a scheme where students can pay £400 annually and enjoy unlimited travel across the city. 

The cost of food and entertainment is also something you should be aware of before living in Glasgow. The cost of food depends on your choice of either cooking your own meal or eating out. Naturally, if you choose to cook for yourself, you’ll end up saving a lot of money. Some food shops like Roots, Fruits and Flowers offer student discounts as well. Daily essentials like milk (1lt.), bread (500g) and a bottle of water can cost you £0.89, £0.87 and £ 0.80 respectively. The cost of eating out at pubs In Glasgow with live music can be roughly around £12 and a meal at McDonald’s can cost you £5.55. 

In conclusion, students can comfortably survive in Glasgow with a monthly expenditure of roughly £1000 (excluding tuition fee). If you are struggling with the cost of living in Glasgow, you can get a reliable student loan from UniCreds, that covers tuition fees as well as living expenses. 

Best Areas To Live In Glasgow

Scotland’s most populated city welcomes students from all over the world. Glasgow is packed with a number of cultural attractions for all ages, countless expansive parks and some of the best universities in the UK. The University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde are ranked 67th and 296th in the QS World University Rankings 2020.

Glasgow is divided into five regions –

• City centre
• North Glasgow
• Southside, 
• East End
• West End

Like most major cities, each area is defined by its own unique personality and characteristics, from the trendy cobbled lanes of the West End to the remarkable Victorian architecture in the city centre. Here are some of the best places to live in Glasgow – 

Best Student Accommodation In Glasgow

1. Buchanan View

At only £99/week, Buchanan View is one of the most affordable student accommodation for students living in Glasgow. This student accommodation in Glasgow provides students with two fully furnished room types – an en-suite room and a one-bedroom apartment. Buchanan View is located close to top universities such as Glasgow Caledonian University and the University of Strathclyde.

Room types – 

• En-suite Room
• One Bed Apartment

Accommodation Amenities –

A smoking room, ANUK accreditation, a coffee machine, CCTV security, 24/7 dedicated service, social events, a communal area, a study area, vending machines, car parking, contents insurance, a BBQ area, specially-abled access, a lounge, a games room and bike storage. 

Price range – 

£99 – £199/week

2. Merchant Studios

Merchant Studios offers students a wide range of fully furnished studio student accommodation in Glasgow or Glasgow uni accommodation. Irrespective of your room choice, you can expect a WiFi connection, a bed and a wardrobe. The communal amenities at Merchant Studios include a garden, a coffee machine, a study area and much more. High Street train station is the nearest train to Merchant Studios. There are several bus stops located within a 10-minute walking distance.

Room types –

• Bronze Studio
• Silver Studio
• Gold Studio
• Platinum Studio

Accommodation Amenities – 

A laundry room, all-inclusive utility bills, a lounge area, a coffee machine, a garden, specially-abled access, a communal area, a study area, an electronic key fob entry system, vending machines, a games room, CCTV security, contents insurance, parcel receipt service and bike storage. 

Price range – 

£155 – £195/week

3. Collegelands

Collegeland is one of the most vibrant student accommodations in Glasgow. All rooms are well-designed studio rooms that come fully furnished. The in-room amenities include a WiFi connection, a wardrobe, a bed and a study desk & chair whereas communal amenities include a gym, a theatre, social events and much more. There are many lively bars and pubs in the area like Merchant City, Sugar Cube and Kokomo.

Room types – 

• Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum En-suite Rooms
• Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Rooms

Accommodation Amenities – 

An on-site gym, bike storage, a lounge area, a theatre, specially-abled access, contents insurance, social events, a communal area, a study area, ANUK accreditation, parcel receipt service, 24/7 dedicated support, a games room, vending machines, CCTV security and a garden. 

Price range – 

£124 – £175/week