Details

• Great Britain & N.Ireland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 3 months

1. Preparation

When preparing for a semester abroad at the University of Glasgow, starting early really helps, especially with the application process at the WU Wien. There are quite a few steps involved, such as course selection, approvals, and deadlines from both universities, so staying organised and flexible makes the process much smoother. It is also very helpful to talk to previous outgoing students, as they often provide more practical and honest insights than official information, particularly when it comes to course workload or expectations. In terms of general preparation, it helps to think beyond just the formal requirements. Planning the journey in a realistic way is important as well. Since there are no direct flights from Vienna to Glasgow, travelling via Edinburgh is a very convenient option. From there, buses to Glasgow run regularly, the trip takes around an hour, and the whole journey feels quite relaxed. After arriving at the bus station, taking a taxi to the accommodation is definitely recommended, especially if you are travelling with luggage, as walking can be more exhausting than expected. One thing that makes the preparation phase much easier is staying in close contact with the other WU student who isgoing to the same partner university. Coordinating travel plans, discussing accommodation options, and sharing information in advance can reduce stress significantly. Travelling together or even living in the same place can make the start much smoother and helps you settle in faster. Having someone to prepare with and to exchange experiences with already before the semester starts also makes the whole experience feel less overwhelming and more exciting.

2. Accommodation

For the accommodation I looked up the places which were recommended by the university. You could apply for these after getting the unconditional offer from the University of Glasgow. However, you would only receive the decision if you got an accommodation or not mid-August. For me personally it was too late so I wanted a sure option. I asked previous outgoing students where they stayed and how their experience was. I decided to stay at the same place and I would say that it was a good choice. In Glasgow I stayed at “The Social Hub” which operates as a hotel, but also offers student housing. You can decide between a smaller and a larger room. I shared a kitchen with 10 other students and everything was provided there (cutlery, pans, pots). Every student had their on shelf and also their own part of the fridge and the freezer. If you stay there, you can also use the gym as well as sign up for lots of social events and activities ranging from sport classes and whisky tastings to potlucks and movie nights. The accommodation also provides study spots, they even have a quiet study room as well as areas where you can work with friends or colleagues. At the Social Hub there is also a restaurant and a café. This accommodation was in the city centre and very well located. Even though you had to take the tube to get to the university, which took me around 20-30 minutes, I preferred to stay at another part of the city. From the Social Hub you have everything you need within walking distance. It was also located on one of the main shopping streets. I would say that I felt pretty safe in this region, but in the evenings you should always be cautious especially due to homeless and drunk people. A tip I wish I had known beforehand is how useful it is to treat your accommodation as a social space, not just a place to sleep. Especially in a city like Glasgow, a lot of your early friendships come from where you live. Joining activities, using shared kitchens or common areas, and showing up regularly (even when you’re tired) makes a huge difference in how quickly you settle in. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to underestimate how much your accommodation shapes your social life.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus of the University of Glasgow was spacious and comprised many different buildings from the historic main building to also very modern ones. The university has a big library, but it is sometimes hard to find a good study spot there, but the university also provides other places on campus for studying. The university also has its own gym with sport courses as well as a spacious gym, but it is often overcrowded. There is also an indoor swimming pool and a spa. I would say that the academic culture and the teaching style was a bit different compared to WU because the professors and especially the tutors were very chill, also with the attendance. Most of the courses were held in a large group in the way of frontal teaching and additionally you had tutorials in smaller groups where you discussed the examples. I had Introduction to Management Accounting and Control and Introduction to Finance, Investments and Institutions I would definitely recommend the Introduction to Managment Accounting and Control course as it was very easy and straightforward. You had one assignment you had to do on your own and the final exam. The course Introduction to Finance, Investments and Institutions needed more effort and also comprised of one (group) assignment and the final exam. I would also recommend the language courses. I had a French and a Russian course because I wasn’t able to get the preferred course, but in the end I was positively surprised. Unfortunately I must admit that the tutors were mostly not qualified, but the professors explained their content well.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in the host country is very easy to adjust to, especially in a city like Glasgow. Public transport works well and is reliable, and having a monthly ticket makes daily life much more convenient, whether you are commuting to university or meeting friends in different parts of the city. Overall, I felt safe in Glasgow, especially during the day and in busy areas. Like in any bigger city, it is important to stay aware of your surroundings at night, but this quickly becomes part of your routine. Social and leisure activities play a big role in everyday student life. The University of Glasgow offers a wide range of opportunities to get involved. There are many student societies and sports clubs you can join, covering everything from team sports to more casual activities. The university also has its own gym, which is very popular among students and easy to integrate into daily life. In addition, there are many social events organised by the university throughout the semester, especially at the beginning, which makes it easy to meet people and build a social circle quickly. Outside of university life, Glasgow itself offers a lot. The city has a strong pub and café culture, live music is a big part of everyday life, and there are always events happening, from concerts to markets and cultural festivals. People are generally very open and friendly, which makes socialising easier, even if you arrive on your own. Scotland is also an amazing country to explore during the semester. Travelling within Scotland is relatively easy, and weekends are perfect for short trips. I can highly recommend International Student Tours Scotland, which can be found via the Eventbrite app. These tours are very affordable for what they offer and are ideal if you want to see more of the country without planning everything yourself. They are also a great way to meet other international students while discovering places like the Highlands, Lochs, and small coastal towns.

6. Testimonial

My exchange at the University of Glasgow was an amazing experience. I loved living in a lively student community and meeting people from all over the world. Joining sports clubs and attending social events made it easy to make friends quickly. Exploring Scotland through student tours and weekend trips added adventure and unforgettable memories.