Universities in Scotland – Strathclyde University

Strathclyde university sells itself as a centre of 'useful learning'. This mission statement certainly resonates today, with graduates no longer guaranteed employment; this idea was made evident after speaking to a well informed staff member at a renowned Scottish highland hotel last month. It's a strong selling point for any university to market itself on providing skills employers are looking for.

However, keen not to sell it self short as a mere technical college, Strathclyde is at pains to emphasise its focus on the student experience, stressing a range of societies and clubs as playing just as an important role in shaping well-rounded graduates.

The university is split into four main disciplines: Humanities & Social Sciences, Engineering, Science and the Strathclyde Business School.

There are currently provisions for the education of 25,000 full-time students, with another 34,000 taking part in various professional development programs.

Of Strathclyde's 15,000 undergraduates, most first year students live in halls of residence at the John Anderson campus in the centre of Glasgow.

Those not living in halls, second and third year students generally, gravitate toward living in the city's fashionable west end; a great location for bars, nightclubs, music venues, coffee shops and galleries.

Strathclyde is also only forty minutes away from Edinburgh, meaning those students who arrive early in August can experience the excitement of the Fringe just down the road.

For all students, money can be an issue, but there a number of jobs in the local area open to part-time applicants. The Strathclyde hotel opens a number of opportunities for students to gain employment in its bars, kitchens, restaurants and leisure facilities. There are also a number of other large, luxury Glasgow hotels which regularly employ students. With a number of other bars, cafes, restaurants and shops in the greater Glasgow area, students who need to supplement their income should have ample opportunity to do so.

However, it's the fees that has to be one of Strathclyde's biggest selling points. For Scottish students, and EU students born outside the UK, there are no fees whatsoever. For English and Welsh students, annual tuition fees for 2011/2012 were set at £1,820, which compared to English universities represents a massive saving.