As Glasgow is Scotland's most populous city we are lucky to be served by two international airports - Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick Airport. It is likely that you will travel through one of these airports on your journey to Strathclyde, so we have prepared some helpful information for you.
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Glasgow International Airport is the main airport for transatlantic and international flights. There is no direct rail link from the airport, so your main options for getting into the city are bus or taxi.
The Glasgow Airport Express Service 500 runs into the city centre for around £11. Further information on Glasgow Airport Express Service https://www.glasgowairport.com/to-and-from/glasgow-airport-express-service-500/. Alternatively, a taxi costs approximately £25 to £45, depending on your exact destination and time of day. You can pay by cash, debit, or credit card.
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport is approximately 30 miles from Glasgow city centre. The airport is connected to a train station, accessible by a short, covered walkway. The journey from the airport to Glasgow Central Station is around 40 minutes, and University of Strathclyde is around 10-to-15-minute walk from the station.
Alternatively, Stagecoach's X77 Express bus service also runs directly to Glasgow Buchanan Street Bus Station, taking around 44 minutes. Taxis are also available outside the terminal.
You can refer to the To & From Glasgow Prestwick Airport https://www.glasgowprestwick.com/to-and-from-the-airport/ for more information.
Some students may require a visa to study in the UK. The most common visa routes for students are the Student visa route and the Standard Visitor visa route.
You should arrange suitable travel insurance to cover your luggage when travelling, and should arrange contents insurance for your possessions (particularly expensive items such as laptops or cameras) once you arrive in Glasgow.
If you have applied for a Student visa for a period longer than 6 months, you will have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your visa application. This allows you access to free NHS treatment on the same basis as anyone who is ordinarily resident in the UK, for the period of your granted visa.
If you are travelling to the UK for 6 months or less, you will not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Therefore, it is advised that you arrange private medical insurance for the duration of your stay in the UK.
Be sure to check what's included with your accommodation - most things will either be provided or will be easy to purchase when you arrive in the UK. Our accommodation team have information on what's included in our halls of residence and what you can bring with you, along with information on the benefits of living in University accommodation.
We have also prepared a luggage checklist with some helpful suggestions on what you will need in both your hold luggage and hand luggage when travelling to the UK.