Image: Rudi Winter, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Geograph
University Spotlight
University of Glasgow
Scotland's second-oldest University, founded in 1451 and celebrating its 575th anniversary in 2026.
Key facts
- Founded on 7 January 1451 by papal bull, the fourth-oldest University in the English-speaking world
- Moved to Gilmorehill in 1870, to a main building designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott
- Home over the centuries to Adam Smith, Lord Kelvin, James Watt and Joseph Lister
- Member of the Russell Group and a founding member of Universitas 21
The University
University Spotlight: University of Glasgow
We are delighted to feature the University of Glasgow as this week's University Spotlight, in the year it celebrates its 575th anniversary.
The University was founded on 7 January 1451 by a papal bull from Pope Nicholas V, at the suggestion of King James II. It is the second-oldest University in Scotland, the fourth-oldest in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient Universities.
From the High Street to Gilmorehill In 1870 the University moved from the city's High Street to Gilmorehill in Glasgow's West End. Its main building was designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and its tower and spire were completed in 1891 by his son, John Oldrid Scott. It is one of the best-known landmarks in the city.
Ideas that changed the world Over almost six centuries the University's community has included the economist Adam Smith, the physicist Lord Kelvin, the engineer James Watt and the surgeon Joseph Lister. Eight Nobel Laureates are part of its story. Today Glasgow is a member of the Russell Group and a founding member of Universitas 21, the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities and the CIVIS European University Alliance.
Honouring exceptional people Glasgow's roll of Honorary Graduates includes the explorer David Livingstone in 1854, Albert Einstein in 1933, Sir David Attenborough in 1980 and the astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell in 1997. Founding Fellows of the Society honoured by Glasgow include the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, who received her Honorary Doctorate on Commemoration Day in June 2026, and Dr Shonaig Macpherson CBE FRSE. Journalist and photographer David Pratt, also a Founding Fellow, will be honoured at the University's winter graduations.
This week Over the coming days we will celebrate four of the Honorary Doctors Glasgow has honoured in its 575th year: actor Ncuti Gatwa, space scientist Professor Carole Mundell, musician Stuart Murdoch and cardiologist Professor Ntobeko Ntusi.
The University is led by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield, with Olympic rowing champion Katherine Grainger as Chancellor.