Table Of Contentthe
guide
2008/9
Your ultimate guide to
living and learning
in Glasgow
Your degree • Getting involved
Travel and housing • money
Health and wellbeing • Going out
The Guide 2008/9 Student Representative Council
if you read this…
you're really cool
if you read this…
the
guide
2008/9
you're really cool
Your ultimate guide to living and
learning in Glasgow
No part of this publication may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or
otherwise without prior written permision of The University of Glasgow Students’ Representative Council, whose work is ©2006-2008
The text in this book is provided for information only, and is used at the reader’s own risk. The University of Glasgow Students’ Representative Council assumes
neither responsibility nor liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear.
The Guide is published by The University of Glasgow Students’ Representatives Council, �ohn �c�ntyre �uilding, University �venue, Glasgow, G�2 8��
Life in halls................................68
The Library..................................12
IT ...............................................16 Flat hunting................................70
Appeals and discipline.................18 Areas of Glasgow..........................72
Other concerns............................74
Buying.....................................76
Repair and safety........................78
Checklist........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
SRC..............................................30
Glasgow University Union...........36
Queen Margaret Union.................38
Hetherington Research Club.......40
Sports..........................................42 Grants and loans........................88
Spending money......................91
GUST...........................................48 Banks...................................92
Subcity Radio..............................49
Publications...............................50
Clubs and societies......................54
Volunteering...............................62
Your Travel and
Degree Housing
The Basics........................8 Home and halls...............66
Study and exams.............10
Renting and buying........70
Representation and
support services..............20
Your new flat...................78
Getting Getting around................82
Involved
Student bodies................30
Money
Budgeting...................88
Student media.................46
Jobs.........................94
Clubs, societies and
volunteering..................54
M e d i c a l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 0
Sexual health...........................102
Alcohol.... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
Drugs..............................108
Mental health..........................110
The Chaplaincy........................114
Legal... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116
Ethical living..........................118
Clothes shopping.....................124
Essentials... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Record shopping.......................130
Other shops..............................132
C i n e m a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3 5
Museums and galleries..............136
Theatre......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
R e s t a u r a n t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 4 0
Coffee shops and cafes..............142
Pubs and bars...........................144
Live music...............................148
Clubs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
contents
Health and
Wellbeing Appendix
Your health..................100 People.......................156
Glossary.....................160
Map........................164
Index.......................166
Wellbeing.................110 Useful contacts..........170
Credits.....................176
Going
Out
Shopping....................124
Culture.....................135
Food and drink..............140
Gigs and clubs...............148
the
Introduction guide
�f you’ve just opened this book, chances are you’ve trouble, the University has all kinds of systems put in
very recently moved away from home for the first time. place to help you out. The Guide is the first one of
You’re in a big, unfamiliar city, most of your friends are these. �f we’ve done our job properly, then the book
miles away, and mysterious beasts such as “shopping you’re holding in your hand is the most useful tool
for groceries” and “applying for overdrafts” are starting you’ll have for navigating your way through your time
to take on very harsh realities. You’ve got a million as a student. �f you’re confused about starting your
forms to fill in, one of your flatmates has already left studies, we’ll tell you how it works. �f you’re bored,
a couple of dishes in the sink without washing them, we’ve got a few suggestions as to what you can do.
and cult-like people in brightly-coloured t-shirts have �nd if you need help, we’ll tell you where to go to and
stopped you every twenty minutes to demand that you who to talk to.
come to “Cheesy Pop”, whatever that is. Everything’s
new, lots of it is confusing and quite a few things are, The Student Representative Council prints the Guide
well, pretty scary. every year for new students. This may well be your
first contact with them, but they really are one of the
Here’s where the Guide comes in. �t’s our job to most helpful organisations in the universe. Like a trade
convince you that, while all of the above is true, it’s union for Glasgow students, it’s their job to make sure
actually not that bad. �n fact, things are brilliant. your voice as a student is heard at the upper echelons
You’ve probably already met some of the best friends of the University and beyond, and also to supply
that you’re going to have over the next four years and services that you will almost certainly find invaluable
beyond, you’ve found yourself in one of the greatest during your time in Glasgow. They offer everything
cities in �ritain, and if you do fall in to any kind of from a bookshop, through flat listings, to counselling
Introduction
the
guide Introduction
services and an award-winning newspaper, magazine, when you’re not studying, from clubs and societies to
TV station, and radio station. �lmost everything is run volunteer work.
by students, who have almost certainly already been • Money: Learn how to get by without going broke.
through exactly what you’re going through, so if you • Travel and accommodation: Getting around
need a hand with anything or you want to get involved, Glasgow, and finding a place to live.
give them a shout. • Health and wellbeing: Staying happy and healthy
in Glasgow.
We already said that Glasgow is one of the best cities • Going out: Unless you’re planning on watching
in �ritain, and we weren’t joking. �t’s a vibrant, exciting, a lot of Neighbours, you’re going to want to go out
friendly city, steeped in history, and full of stuff to sometimes. From pubs and clubs to theatres and cafes,
discover. Whether you’re looking for some culture, a bit we’ve got some ideas for a good day or night out.
of shopping, a football match or just a good time down • Appendix: �ll kinds of invaluable information that
the local with some friends, Glasgow has you more doesn’t quite fit anywhere else.
than covered every time. The University is situated in
the West End, and dominates the area, meaning that While the Guide is great, and we’ve tried to cram in as
it’s a haven for coffee shops, cheap pubs, little clothing much information that may help you as possible, we’ve
boutiques and just about everything else a student simply not got enough room to cover everything that
could ever desire. �f you’re not having a good time here, you may need to know. Lives at University are varied
you’re probably doing it wrong. and it’s up to you to make sure you get the most out of
your time here. Try looking up the websites suggested
We’ve split the Guide up into a few sections to help throughout the Guide, especially the SRC website
you out: (www.glasgowstudent.net) for loads of extra
• Your degree: You’re here to learn, right? Here’s information. �ost importantly remember, thousands
how to make the experience completely painless. of people have done this before, they survived, and
• Getting involved: �ake the most of your time chances are, they enjoyed themselves along the way.
in Glasgow. Find out what you can do with the time �ake sure you do likewise.
Your
Degree
Things can be daunting when you're starting
your degree. They don't have to be – Glasgow is full
of people and services designed to help you out.
Here's a guide to the most important.
Study and exams P10
How to learn everything you need,
then use it to pass your exams
Representation and
support services P20
If you're struggling in your degree for
whatever reason, these are the people
you need to see
the
Your degree – The basics guide
Getting started Your adviser of studies
Studying at university is probably going to be different Probably the first official University person you will
from anything you've done before. For some people meet, your adviser of studies is there to support you
the biggest challenge is the step up from school to throughout your entire degree. They will help you to
university level work, for others it's managing their time make your course choices and make sure that what
effectively. Those returning to education may find newer you've chosen will help you achieve what you want
teaching methods confusing or even intimidating, and at University.
no matter what your specific situation, you're likely
to discover a whole new set of challenges that you It's worth developing a good relationship with your
haven't faced before. Just remember that that's exactly Adviser: their experience is invaluable. You never know
the reason that you came to University, and if you have when you might need them to help you out of a tight
a problem, there's almost certainly someone here who spot at some point in the future or give you a reference
can help you. for your first job after university.
This section of the Guide is designed to make sure you
have a good idea of how studying at Glasgow works Changing courses
and should provide you with enough information and
advice to keep you on track throughout your degree. The first few weeks of University are a pretty
If things are going wrong or you need some support, overwhelming experience and it may quickly become
don't be afraid to use the services that are available. apparent that you are not enjoying your course. If this
The SRC Advice Centre and Student Information Points happens, don't panic, and don't hesitate to get in touch
are good first points of call. with your faculty. It's possible to change your course to
another if you make it clear that you feel you've made
a mistake.
WebSURF
Your Adviser of Studies is the best person to approach
You'll already have used WebSURF as part of your about switching courses. They will be able to speak to
registration process. WebSURF allows the University the necessary departments and organise the change.
to keep track of information on you and your degree Bear in mind, however, that you may only be able to
and allows you to change certain information. It's switch in the first few weeks of term. University courses
the easiest way to let the University know that cover a lot of ground very quickly and departments may
you've changed your address and lets you check that feel you have already missed too much of their course
your course details and academic record are correct. to swap.
It's important to check www.websurf.gla.ac.uk
regularly to ensure that your details are up to date, Before you make any decision consider that many
otherwise letters from the University may go astray. courses start with very dry core modules. These can
You might even find out too late that your department seem dull but will provide the essential background for
thinks you're enrolled in the wrong course. the more exciting modules later down the line.
The basics
