Glasgow University was founded in 1451 when the Scottish King, James II, sought and was granted a bull from Pope Nicolas V to build a university in Glasgow. It was the second university in Scotland, preceded only by St Andrew's on the east coast. Over it's 550+ years, the university has been located in several locations, with the current campus at Gilmorehill, formerly a suburb of Glasgow, built in 1870.

Former students/professors at Glasgow Uni include Adam Smith, Joseph Black, James Watt, and Lord Kelvin to name a few.

Also a part of the University is the Hunterian Museum; the oldest public museum in Scotland. Exhibitions include natural history, historical artefacts, and fine art including many works by Whistler.

There are currently 17,000 full-time students attending Glasgow Uni with 47% of those being from Scotland.