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Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow, United Kingdom • Founded 1845

Updated Sep 2026 · Source: gsa.ac.uk

Overview

English Name: Glasgow School of Art
Local Name: Sgoil Ealain Ghlaschu
Acronyms: GSA
Founded: 1845
Control Type: Public
Entity Type: Non-profit
Glasgow School of Art principal campus
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The Glasgow School of Art is an independent art school in Glasgow, Scotland, founded in 1845.

Its main campus sits on Renfrew Street in the city centre, with a further campus serving the Highlands and Islands and a representative office in China. The school is organised into four schools covering Fine Art, Design, Innovation and Technology, and Architecture, and offers foundation and portfolio-preparation courses, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate taught programmes, and research degrees including PhDs.

All of its degree programmes are validated by the University of Glasgow. GSA describes its alumni network as spanning more than 20,000 graduates across 95 countries.

It remains one of a small number of UK institutions that operate as a standalone, specialist art school rather than as part of a larger multi-faculty university.

Location & Contact

Below are Glasgow School of Art's address, location, and primary contact channels.

Address: 167 Renfrew Street
Postal Code: G3 6RQ
Map:
Phone: +44 (141) 353 4500
Fax: +44 (141) 353 4746
Social Media:

Academic Details

Below are the institutional metrics for Glasgow School of Art: scale, staffing, and accreditation.

Academic Year: 2024/25
Recognition: Privy Council
Total Students: 2,845
Female Students: 1,980
Academic Staff Range: 100-199
Campus Setting: Urban

Academic Structures

The academic units through which Glasgow School of Art delivers teaching are listed below.

Unit 6 items
  • Mackintosh School of Architecture
  • School of Continuing Education
  • School of Design
  • School of Fine Art
  • School of Graduate Study
  • School of Simulation and Visualisation

Programs Offered

Browse Glasgow School of Art's programmes by level, or filter by name.

15 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom

Bachelor's Degree 1 programme

Honours Degree 14 programmes

Showing 10 of 14.

Scholarships in United Kingdom

Financial-aid options for studying in the United Kingdom, applicable across institutions including Glasgow School of Art.

Cambridge Trust International Scholarship
Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined · Covers Living
Covers tuition fees at the international rate, an annual maintenance stipend, and support towards the student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge, for postgraduate (and some undergraduate) study at Cambridge; there is no separate application form.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gates Cambridge Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · Combined
Funds full-time or part-time PhD study, the one-year MLitt, or (with some exceptions) other one-year postgraduate courses at the University of Cambridge; fee and stipend amounts are set through the University's own student-funding process rather than published on the eligibility page.
GSA International Clearing Scholarship
University funded · International students · 4,000 GBP per total · Partial Tuition
A £4,000 one-off contribution towards first-year tuition fees for international fee-paying undergraduate applicants who receive an offer through Clearing for 2026/27 entry.
GSA International Merit Scholarship
University funded · International students · Partial Tuition
A range of tuition fee reduction scholarships for international fee-paying applicants for September 2026 entry, recognising the overall strength of an application including portfolio, academic profile and personal statement.
Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 20,400 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living, Travel
Covers University of Oxford course and college fees, an annual stipend of £20,400 (£1,700 a month, 2025-26 rate), the Oxford application fee, student visa and Immigration Health Surcharge costs, two economy flights to and from the UK, and a settling-in allowance.
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholarships and Leadership Programme
Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Trust · Foundation funded · International students · Renewable · 18,622 GBP per year · Combined · Covers Living
Covers 100% of course fees and a living-cost grant (at least £18,622 a year through the St Antony's College partnership) for the full period of fee liability, plus participation in a tailored leadership programme.

How to apply to Glasgow School of Art

A five-step guide to applying to Glasgow School of Art.

  1. 1
    Identify the right programme

    Glasgow School of Art's catalogue includes 15 programmes. Browse by level, identify candidates matching your prior qualifications, and note their entry requirements for the next step.

  2. 2
    Check entry requirements

    Entry requirements vary by programme and degree level. Verify academic minimums, language tests (if international), and any additional documents required for Glasgow School of Art's admissions process.

  3. 3
    Prepare your application documents

    Typical documents include academic transcripts, identity proof (passport or national ID), language proficiency test scores, a personal statement or motivation letter, and recommendation letters. International applicants should account for translation and notarisation time.

  4. 4
    Submit via UCAS or the institution

    For undergraduate study, apply centrally through UCAS (ucas.com), listing Glasgow School of Art as one of your choices. For postgraduate study, apply directly through Glasgow School of Art's own admissions portal at www.gsa.ac.uk.

  5. 5
    Get in touch with admissions

    Follow up to confirm your application was received and is being processed. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (141) 353 4500. Admissions teams may request interviews or additional documents — respond promptly to keep your application active.

Frequently Asked Questions about Glasgow School of Art

Common questions about Glasgow School of Art — answers from its published profile.

In what year was Glasgow School of Art established?

Glasgow School of Art was founded in 1845 (approximately 181 years ago).

Where can I find Glasgow School of Art?

The institution is located in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Is Glasgow School of Art public or private?

Glasgow School of Art is a public institution.

How many students does Glasgow School of Art have?

The institution has a student body of 2,845.

What is Glasgow School of Art's academic structure?

Glasgow School of Art has 6 academic units.

Is Glasgow School of Art accredited?

The institution holds recognition from Privy Council.

What is Glasgow School of Art's official website?

The institution's website is www.gsa.ac.uk.

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