Ratings and Reviews
It's one of the best Arts Schools in UK. The best thing about is everyone is so generous and accommodating being an international student you would never feel you re ever lonely or have nothing to do... A lot of learning and social events which you can book too and make best of your stay in UK.
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Glasgow School of Art Hall Rankings
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Students' Union at Glasgow School of Art
StudentCrowd Students' Union score: 2.99 / 5
Ratings and Reviews
It's one of the best Arts Schools in UK. The best thing about is everyone is so generous and accommodating being an international student you would never feel you re ever lonely or have nothing to do... A lot of learning and social events which you can book too and make best of your stay in UK.
Applying to Glasgow School of Art
- Entry Requirements
128 UCAS Points
Average range for Glasgow School of Art entry requirements. Varies depending on the course.
Glasgow School of Art Reputation
Glasgow School of Art is located in the city of Glasgow, in the Western Lowlands of Scotland. 2,605 students are enrolled at Glasgow School of Art:
- 1,660 of these students come from the UK
- 190 come from EU countries
- And 755 are students from non-EU countries.
(Source: HESA 2022/23)
The graduate outcomes for Glasgow School of Art show that six months after leaving university, 87% of graduates are in work or further study. The typical graduate salary six months after leaving Glasgow School of Art is £24 - £27K a year.
(Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Data Survey 2023 for 2020/21 graduates)
Updated: 4th October 2024
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It's one of the best Arts Schools in UK. The best thing about is everyone is so generous and accommodating being an international student you would never feel you re ever lonely or have nothing to do... A lot of learning and social events which you can book too and make best of your stay in UK.
DO NOT GO TO THIS UNIVERSITY!!!!! There are no words to describe how awful my time has been here, this university does not care about its students or teachers, they are just as fed up as us, no one ever knows what's going on, there's barely any communication within the school between lecturers and higher ups, so many of my chinese/ international friends have been treated unfairly and have had racist experiences with teachers and students, please don't waste your money on this university! You don't get taught anything, your left in a very cramp space, and told to go with the flow and that's it. They don't help you, nor is there actually any classes or anything like that, also the workshops you have to book and you can't book a week in advance, and also the technicians in the workshops barely know how to help you, it's all just a mess, everyone is so miserable there and you can't tell, I wish I didn't waste so many years at this place, I regret it very much, and I'm so glad I'm done.
Amazing!Staff are really nice ,everybody is so friendly, and the room are all very clean, also have a large place to play and study.
Except for the overly large rent increases, the rest is good, Includes fast repairs, friendly staff and security
Some good staff in isolation but as a structure it is very beaurocratic and does not put students interests first.
Did a good job. Nothing to complain about.
I study undergrad Architecture at Mackintosh School of Architecture within GSA. If you are looking for passionate + inspiring professors, bustling student communities/events/club nights & relaxed studio culture then put your application in! It’s noteworthy to mention that at GSA there are students/professors which come from a vast array of backgrounds and everybody is welcome at the art school.
I was a Product Design Engineering student of Master Degree. There’s not even a closed classroom for teaching. You could hear people talking whenever they passing by… Except the poor facilities, the professor is the biggest problem. For PDE, an old professor takes in charge of all the courses, which is unbelievable. What makes its even worse is that he gives low score to every nonnative student without being rational.(Uk students always get high scores, even they are absent for classes many times). I’m not sure if he’s racism but he definitely has a bias on ethnicities… Anyway, for those who want to come to PDE , I could only say that you need to get used to the unfair issues…
Plz repair the gym…anyway staffs are really nice and patient especially Nadia☺️
Good place for art study, good atmosphere.
Good staffs Nice courses Various activities
Great community of students. Love studying here!!
Great. I love going here so much
Management is not very transparent about practices, and as a Product Design student we do not get schedules for projects until the brief is released on the first day of the project. It makes it hard to plan ahead if you're working part time as sometimes tutorial days change every week. Workload is very light but they keep saying it's a full time course and that they don't condone part time work. Tutors do know their stuff and are passionate, but generally you're going to feel very dissatisfied with your education. And you'll need to do more self study if you really want to be up to industry standard.
A morally bereft institution in steep, prolonged decline
The worst experience of my life! I came to Glasgow school of art excited by alumni who studied there and eager to meet lots of people but within a year of my studies the union bar shut down completely there were NO societies I could join (there were only the lgbtq+ soc which I couldn’t join as an ally and pornography society) so I joined certain societies at the uni of, but wasn’t allowed to join sports teams. I made next to no friends as everyone was caught up in the ‘image’ of the art students and closed off, if I went to a lecture in leggings and a hoodie I felt like I was getting dirty looks. My accommodation was soundproof and you could not hear when anything was going on, making it impossible to make any friends. It was truly the worst experience of my life and made me suicidal and I dropped out and transferred to a uni with over 300 societies, uni bars, etc and I’ve never been happier. I would never recommend gsa, the tutors even showed up half an hour late to tutorials!!
Awful! 4 years at GSA and I've never felt supported or listened to. Would rate the Students Union 0 stars if possible because it doesn't exist. There are barely any clubs/societies, none of which are funded and the student morale is horrendous. It's a corrupt business, which is currently being sued by its own students. The only thing keeping GSA afloat is its reputation, which it will lose if it doesn't invest more care into its student's wellbeings. I even hear from staff the frustration with it as an institution, with many of them leaving. University was supposed to be the best years of my life, but GSA has made me question my choices and regret a lot of decisions/career path. Do not go to GSA, there are much better institutions elsewhere.
The tutors are largely brilliant, the technical staff amazing and I met some great people here but it was overall an extremely disappointing experience.
The Bachelor of Architecture programme leads to an Ordinary or Honours degree and to exemption from Part 1 of the Examination in Architecture of the ARB/ RIBA at the end of Year 3 full-time study or Year 4 part-time study.
Do not come here. I would give the Student Union zero stars if I could because we do not have one!! The Glasgow School of Art is a corrupt institution, which works to feed those in higher power on council board committee and not the tutors or students. The communication between higher authoritative staff and tutors is appalling. I am in the Sculpture Course and four days before a public art exhibition across the city of Glasgow, the tutors informed us that we were banned from “going outside to do art work” as commanded by GSA because of COVID. Why was this informed to the department at such a late notice? If we are part of 100% studio practice course then why do The Glasgow School of Art not pause our education, refund our money that we have paid for school fees and restart our teaching in the way that they advertise. The course is uninspiring, I was advised to change department from sculpture because I was focusing on photography for several weeks.
I studied Sculpture and Environmental art between 2017 and 2020 and I am honestly so so disappointed by it. I genuinely learnt far more on my foundation year than my 3 years at GSA. The school relies entirely on its reputation nowadays and invests nothing in its students. You'll have nothing but a cramped studio in the Stow, barely any contact time with tutors (I only ever met 2 out of the 4 of mine in 4th year) and you'll learn no technical skills (you'll be lucky if you ever manage to make anything in the workshops as they are so unaccessible). Students and tutors alike are miserable as the institution treats everyone so badly. After we were abruptly thrown out the studios in March and never got our degree show due to covid, GSA promised we would have access to the degree show budget for independent shows later on which has obviously never materialised even almost a year later. Also there is no consistency whatsoever with marking and your degree classification is like a lucky dip.
while the school has seen issues across the different sub school's as a member of MSA (mackintosh school of architecture) i can say it is organised very well. A lot of the other reviews are linked to their individual school and i wouldn't say reflect GSA as a whole. I know MSA students as very realistic about the past year and while its not been GSA's best they are aware of the challenges the institution has had in light of COVID and the flip flopping of the movement on what can and cannot be open. Other schools have not been treated as well as some however MSA is a grand faculty, the staff are so hard working and if you want to make something happen there are measures put in place to make them happen. While studios have been closed the staff have done their best to facilitate a learning experience as much as possible such as Post Graduate Events that have been very successful and the introduction Miro that has allowed for virtual pin up.
Horrendous. Barely any tutor-student contact and not much is actually taught in regards to theory or technicality. No support for students, minimal clubs and societies that aren’t well organised - doesn’t even have a students union building. Support and tutoring throughout the pandemic has been totally useless; no access to studios or workshops, one 20 minute tutor zoom call per week and all this for 9k a year (or more for internationals). Shocking how this quality of education and level of student experience is allowed. 3 years at GSA so far and it’s always been ridiculously underfunded and I’ve always felt it’s never been worth the money however it’s reputation has always been its backbone to attracting and maintaining the students but now I question whether that’s even a thing anymore! Where GSA’s reputation comes from I have no idea. Would not recommend.
GSA relies on its reputation but it does not invest in its students. There is no union for social events, freshers sucks. Clubs and societies don’t really do anything. Tuition is virtually non existent from academic staff who are working to rule which means strictly nothing not in their contract. technicians are overworked & underpaid. You will learn no practical skills so don’t expect to expand your skills base with their help. Studios in stow are are dark and cramped. Studios in McLellan are cold and lifeless. Staff strike for weeks at a time over the assessment period so don’t expect to know how you’re doing. Feedback, or what exists of it, is next to useless & finding a tutor available to provide advice and feedback is next to impossible. Crits happen once a term but students don’t bother turning up so aren’t helpful. Such a disappointment. Avoid and go to Dundee instead
Don't waste your time or money. Staff is friendly enough but the school doesn't care about its students at all Absolutely scummy conduct regarding the covid situation, and have been made to feel that I'm absolutely being taken advantage of by an institution that was meant to be responsible for my education for the sake of a cash grab. This is not new behavior either. GSA has shown itself to be incapable of making any decision that is not driven by "make the most money off the backs of our students as we can while doing as little as possible.
I would not recommend studying at Glasgow School of Art. Pros: - the tutors, technical staff and learning support were great. Con: - In first year, our campus building was located over half an hour walk away from the main campus, our studio had no heating and the spaces were extremely small to work in. We were isolated from other courses and year groups. - GSA (as an institution) felt more like a big company than a university. We went on 'mandatory' trips and that were extremely overpriced, there was a lot of pressure to go on exchange when a lot of students could hardly afford to live nevermind go on a trip or travel abroad. - Communication within the management is very poor. Lack of organization. Don't go to this university just for its 'prestigiousness' - it's not what it's cracked up to be. If you want to study at GSA, make sure it has the facilities to suit you If you study here and stay at halls, go to Margaret mcdonald house if you can, you'll have a better experience.
I have been a student at GSA for 3 years now and I have been disappointed every step of the way. The facilities are sub par, the union is shut for the foreseeable future, the staff are constantly on strike because the management are terrible and I genuinely don't know what my £9,250 has gone towards. If only I could go back in time and tell my younger self that the world renowned institution they try to sell you is a complete lie. The students continue to create exceptional work in the face of all this mess and for that they should be commended.
Not worth anyone's money. Support is minimal at best. While staff and technicians are nice and well-intentioned, the entirety of lecture material is stuck decades in the past. Coursework feels pointless, and the lack of practical skill development has left me with absolutely no idea what I'm supposed to do with this degree. They claim to focus on theory, but there was no guidance or instruction in any sort of design theory. If you feel like learning in spite of an institution as opposed to because of it than go ahead.
For the PD course, unless you are a rockstar established designer, with all the hard and soft skills required (cad, public speaking, team work) do not study here. You will not learn how to be a designer, just pushed around on decision making with no real access to facilities or mentorship. It is ironic how a course is branded so international but has no basic support or strategies for integration. If you are already in the field and developed your identity, with a peoples person outgoing personality, then yes, it is a great way to get a contemporary relevant folio, contacts and real world contact with the practice.
Glasgow school of Art is a great school if you already know who you are as a artist as well as, knowing what you want to make and do because you don't get taught any practical skills at GSA. Facilities allow you to work with metal, wood, they did have ceramics but that was taken away from us half way through our studies: students were to find a kiln elsewhere. They certainly teach you to think like a artists, critizise each other like a artist, talk like a artists but no hands-on skills to back that up. I had zero support after graduating and would encourage everyone to study elsewhere.
Amazing staff, very inspiring and openminded. Great environment to study in with many opportunities.
Good teachers but emphasis on personal drive than hand holding
Lovely uni with incredible staff, however, really miss art school union pub, good old days
I've been a student at GSA for 5 years and have noticed a noticeable decline in almost every aspect. Uptake increases, support decreases or stays the same. All sorts of day to day things like the print credit fiasco (the digital print credit service has been out of service for a long time (may be fixed now not sure), water fountains being out of service for months, wifi disconnecting randomly etc etc. And then there are major problems like the closure of The Vic, our student union. Obviously lots going on behind the scenes, but a university shouldnt be without a union. Especially when, in its prime, it was one of the best places to hang out, get food, and have a boogie in the city centre. RIP The Vic. I'm not a member of any clubs or societies so I can't speak to that behalf but I've heard there are plenty to go about and they receive adequate support. If thinking of coming here I'd re-consider.
There are a lot of things that are currently affecting my satisfaction as a student as GSA. The Student union has been closed as of this year, making it difficult to have a sense of community in the school. Although those of us in Fine art have been moved to the new Stow building this school year there is no cafe or communal space and no spaces for group crits. Which is vital for our courses. We currently have to take our work to different buildings for these. With the student union being closed it’s easy to feel quite isolated from the rest of the university
Only go here if you know what you'll get, and you want it. Gsa teaches art in a very, very conceptual way and tutors refuse/are unable to give technical advice. Tutor contact is very minimal and the tutors are very confused about what's going on. The library is amazing, the studios are large, the people are lovely and not too focused on being and looking "art school". Overall okayish experience, but wasn't for me
Buildings are closed. Facilities have been affected for months there is like 2 clubs society's and think the fire has had a huge affect in what's happening here. Although students countiue to make amazing work.
The higher management at GSA has succeeded in turning one of the leading unis in art and design into a shell of an institution, with constant strikes, a collapsed student union, many jobs laid off and hundreds of dejected students.
Met some great people and the tutors can be very inspiring. The Art School has experienced a lot of turmoil recently and most who where attending before the Union shut down would agree that they feel underappreciated and that the large sums of money they pay to come here is not worth the quality of student life provided. Give it a few years and maybe things will start getting better but at the moment the students are very much at odds with the people running GSA and this will surely result in more clashes in the coming months.
A great independent school with the world-class Reid building.
I had an awful time here. Studios were in office spaces, felt socially isolated, workshops never free, given the opposite of what I asked for as a space in degree show. Wouldn't tell my worst enemy to go here.
Management of the art school is beyond a joke. When the vanity of those at the top takes priority over student facilities and education- a great institution is destined to fail.
The staff and technicians are fantastic and carry the place
Brilliant courses, great environment, world class tutors. Came out with a practice.
Great technical support staff. The Media Studio is one of the best I have ever seen. However, the School Of Simulation and Visualisation is stuck in 2005. Its campus is supposed to be a "state of the art" facility for visual and audio work, but it seems that it was this, years ago. The course was badly structured, the tutors with some exceptions were not really interested in what the students are doing, most of the time acting like you are taking out of their time. Most of the lectures were pointless. Most of the tutors didn't really care about current technological changes and trends and were stuck in the past, with some exceptions, of course. As an institution, it's one of the most corrupt, insensitive towards its students and problems and the management only cares about money. There is zero student community as well. Absolute joke. The degree show was an absolute joke as well. My Master's was a waste of money, which I could have spent on something way more valuable.
Since the second fire and the liquidation of the union the University has done very little to inform it's students of it's actions going forward.
Terrible organisation. Basically no student union. No clear understanding of how we are assessed. Nobody has any clue what’s going on.
I like this school, it’s an art school, we can achieve our potential here, but some theory course need more friendly to international student.
facilities and the student services are improving but still so much behind and lacking.. its my last year and i can see that it did improve and they will but from year 1 to year 3, i had to survive from small library, small studio, and etc..
Tutors are amazing but lack of access to facilities like workshops and career advisors.
Badly organised, cliquey students, pushy, very judgemental staff, things always breaking
It's an alright university but it's over hyped for what it is, it's a very hard going course structure and theres very limited help available
Don't go if you actually care about how your career will turn out. S****.
Excellent facilities, reputation, graduate opportunities and busy but compassionate staff!
It’s just not what it’s cracked up to be. You never get taught anything really new and exciting just taught old techniques and then left to your own devices. It can be good to a point but when you have no new ways of making how the f*** are you supposed to develop? I see my tutor about once a week and I get no actual helpful feedback, I got shown a video on YouTube... not to mention the technicians that help you with study’s most of the time are soooo unwelcoming, I never want to approach them. It feels like a student presence just pisses staff of AND ITS A UNIVERSITY. In my second year and I can honestly say I can’t see myself here for another two years. Glasgow is sick though
Relies on reputation with a lack of focus on education and student needs.
First experience of studying at an independent art school and can't recommend it enough. Bear in mind that if you don't have a clear idea of what you want from your particular course then don't sign up!
Most important thing to this uni is the building that set on fire. Doesn’t care about its students. So unorganised and unhelpful feedback from tutors
If you want to go to school to learn this is not the place. There is next to no guidance, the tutors are only in for 2 days out of the week and it's likely you wont even see them during that time. If you want to create work outside of your major or learn a new skill go somewhere else. Disrespectful staff, the students feel like an afterthought. Don't waste your time with this school.
Brilliant first year experience so far
This school is in complete shambles! GSA cares very little about its students welfare. There is a lot of pressure put on its lecturers and staff when it should be the board of directors held accountable for the problematic decisions and actions which have occurred before and after both fires. This is a business first, not a school. Which is all entirely wrong. All their students are paying for is a name and even that is wearing very thin.
A reputable name but little else. Hilariously little contact time with tutors; very little actually taught. Campus system a mess of poorly refurbished buildings and lack of space. Toxic culture of personalities and popularity akin to being back in High School. Societies cater towards marginalised folk - which in theory is great - but leads a general culture towards social vilification of white and/or straight people (further, with preference constantly given towards Scottish students by technicians and members of staff.)
Architecture course is rubbish
institutionally racist, colonist curriculum, failure to teach, many drop out
Its a small university, so it doesn't have the financial pool to compete with other universities. Apart from management, everyone tried their best to make the school a place of high learning.
The Glasgow School of Art is an incredible institution that promotes a truly experimental and collaborative approach to art making, and that has created some of the best artists out there!
A chance to experience a very different product design degree with its internationally renowned name bringing a variety of students from many cultures. The lecturers always encourage creative thinking else where as well. Glasgow offers the second best nightlife in Britain after Edinburgh and everyone knows gsa students run the show.
Place is falling apart in multiple ways, the directors and management are killing the place and turning the uni experience into one of protest and despair rather than education. Met some lovely people there and also had great tutors but they weren't supported or able to spend much time teaching and most have now left. It's only surviving on its reputation but soon that will be up in flames too.
Friendly people all around. Lots of work though.
I had a great time at the Glasgow school of art and remember my time there being very well supported by tutors and technicians.
It’s s***. Tell them those exact words if they ask, it’s s***. The place went down the s***** after the 1st fire.
Brilliant course. Brilliant studios. Having your own space is really beneficial and makes you feel at home and something you don’t get elsewhere. The architecture is amazing. The spaces feel special and its a really exciting environment to be in.
Pushed to do my best, good graduate career opportunities and amazing design facilities.
The art school is going through a turbulent time right now, but things are looking up. The Stow building is now open which means that there is a lot more workable space in the building. Facilities are good, and student support is very good. In house counselling services are available which is invaluable. Level of education is brilliant, lecturers are all highly qualified and offer fantastic insight to all creative areas. You also have access to lots of freebies, including free access to Lynda.com. Library content is very good
Great uni, copped a delicious 1st class hons here and don't regret it
Glasgow School of Art in my opinion has earned its reputation. It has provided me a course that perfect for what I was looking for, and offers me a learning experience like no other. In my case small classes mean I get all the support I could need while working through my projects. All needed programs and hardware to run such programs is provided for me with no extra expense to myself. However, in my opinion the, all though there is a range of societies, I found them all too "arty". In the art schools attempt to cater to the niche they exclude normal societies/ activities. An example I encountered was during freshers week. There was a BBQ happening, which is great, however it was a vegan BBQ. This I feel excluded those who aren't vegan/veggie. I simple solution to this would been to have a normal BBQ that also had vegan options, thus including everyone. In terms of societies, if your an average Joe there isn't much in the way if sports or more mainstream societies.
I had a great time in this uni as a student.
I am on my way to do a PHD and am from a tiny working class village... if you can get in it's worth. The staff are really supportive and the workshops and amazing.
I went to this uni for 3 years studying architecture. You need to be weird/ quirky to go here, not my type of place - I felt as if I was very looked down upon. Everyone thinks they are better than each other and it is very competitive - lecturers, some are good some aren’t, still the same condescending vibe you get though. If that’s your type of thing this place is for you - as you can tell it wasn’t my favourite place - it was also very unorganised.
Took best part of a month to move us into spaces that ought to have been ready on day one. Impossible to get a reply from lecturers that have told you to email them with issues you’d like addressed. Even once we got spaces we had no fire safety equipment in the room, no bins, no recycling, no lockers for our personal belongings (as we were told we would have). No one seems to take the lead on fixing problems and everyone is pointing fingers at everyone else - all while the students pay between 8000 and 17000 for this mess on a day to day basis
Okay experience. Good collaborations with external partners
It was a very enjoyable experience. Has enabled me to have my career of choice
My education at GSA has been truly life-changing for me and it has been a privilege to study at this world renowned creative institution.
Don't go here. Decided to come here for a postgraduate after feeling like I still needed a year to hone my skills after my undergraduate. You are left to your own devices most of the time, the facilities are terrible - printers barely ever work and are old fashioned - on top of that you must pay for their use. Even very basic things like guillotines are broken or don't exist. The course cost me all of my savings. I got no support from my lecturers and felt almost ridiculed for my ideas half of the time. The other half of the time they were late or going outside for cigarette breaks. My main lecturer used to b**** to one of my friends about some of my classmates. Most colleagues agreed that the course in general was poorly run. I wanted the course to build confidence in my abilities but it gave me an inferiority complex and a whopping bill to the tune of 10,000 pounds. I ended up seeing a therapist as I was so depressed from feeling unsupported, directionless and used for money.
I studied waiting and printmaking for 5 months before dropping out as many students use this institution as a 3 year Gap year, they don't care that they aren't receiving any form of education. During the months I was there countless trips, tutor sessions were cancelled due to staff shortages. The tutorial time you receive is a complete waste of time and energy, you see a tutor once every 3 weeks if you are lucky to be told all your work isn't good enough. I would only recommend applying to this institution if you want to be a pay check for somebody. There is a complete lack of student support, nobody will notice if you haven't turned up for weeks. I think this is particularly scary as they have a large international student population and without proper support these students could be on the other side of the world with no support.
There are pre-schools that are better organised than this place. Bad/no information for students with exchanges (this is up to the students themselves to organise), no support or feedback (you should know your trade before you even come here!), and many of the professors have not worked/had a degree in the subject they teach. They very much hire people depending on who knows who. The general consensus is that it's such an honour to study at this institution, and if you raise you voice up are a troublemaker that maybe isn't suited to study here. Student representatives was put on disciplinary action because the head of department didn't know they were student representatives (and all complaints should be turned against the complainer). When complaining that we weren't taught what other universities taught in the different subjects (no real subjects here) the head of department decided to change the name of the course instead. When asked which laptop I need for my course, the I