Student Housing Guide: Glasgow 2023

Scotland’s biggest city, Glasgow is an ideal student destination for several obvious reasons. Known for its Victorian architecture, the city offers students a lot to explore, including unique attractions such as the Clydeside Distillery. Owing to the high number of educational institutes, you’ll find a lot of students residing in Glasgow. A lot of hustle and bustle occurs here owing to multiple cultural activities, which the students can enjoy along with the eventful nightlife during their time off. Despite the colder weather, Glasgow is one of the prime locations for international students. You will find a variety of student housing in Glasgow with reasonable rent here. Let us dive into the Glasgow housing guide!

When to start looking for student housing?

Since your student housing plays a huge role in your university experience, this Glasgow housing guide provides a few tips to make sure you find the perfect home away from home: 

• Try not waiting until the last-minute to book your student home as you might miss out on the best options.
• More than a quarter of first-year university students begin house-hunting for the following year within weeks of starting their course, so beat the crowd and get in there during your first term for the best pick of places! 

Things to keep in mind when choosing student housing in Glasgow

Now, finding your best student housing match is where things can get a bit tricky. Here’s some of the important things to consider when looking for the best student housing. 

• Cost of Living: First and foremost, calculate your budget so you have an idea of how much you can spend on accommodation. Don’t forget to factor in additional costs such as transport and utility bills. 
• Neighbourhood: Make sure to check out the area that your student housing is located in. Do some research on the locality such as essential services in the area, transport options and crime rates. 
• Extra Perks: Some of the best student housings also offer additional facilities such as Wi-Fi, gyms and study areas. 
• Contract Terms: Get someone with a legal background to read your contract before signing it to make an informed decision. 

Types of accommodation

The first choice students must make when narrowing down their options is whether they which kind of student room they’re looking for. Purpose Built student housing (PBSA) includes student housing in Glasgow that has been designed and built specifically for university students like you! Common features include an all-inclusive rent and additional benefits such as fully furnished rooms, laundry service, 24x7 security, common spaces and study rooms. Those looking for the best student housing in Glasgow will come across these three main types when booking with amber:

Ensuites: Perfect for those who prioritize their privacy, ensuites let students enjoy their personal space with a private bathroom and a shared kitchen, and are generally priced around £125 - £180/week. 

Non-ensuites: Slightly different from an en-suite, a non-ensuite accommodation includes a shared bathroom and kitchen. This type is ideal for social students and usually cost around £109 - £150/week. 

Studios: With a single multi-purpose space, this type of accommodation can be private or shared and tends to fall between £155 - £280/week. 

Best Areas in Glasgow for student housing

1. Hillhead

A fashionable place located at the West End filled with restaurants, pubs and bars. Hillhead is just a few minutes walk away to the University of Glasgow. Because of the demand for this place, the rent prices in Hillhead are among the highest for a student in Glasgow. 

2. Glasgow City Centre

The City Centre is home to several universities, including the University of Strathclyde and City College, making it an ideal location for students. With the location being relatively accessible, served by several bus and subway routes, any Glasgow City Centre accommodation option would be a terrific find for students.

3. Anniesland

Anniesland is a lovely neighbourhood in the city that is ideal for students due to its inexpensive pricing and convenient access to public transportation. If you're looking for University of Glasgow housing, this is a wonderful place to start.

4. Partick

Patrick, which is close to Hillhead, is another great place for students to live. The neighbourhood is densely packed with low-cost shopping centres and restaurants. Patrick is also serviced by bus routes that operate directly into the city centre. 

Top 10 student housing in Glasgow

1. Kyle Park House

Kyle Park House is noted for its modern and stylish en-suite rooms and two bedroom flats, making it one of the top student housing options in Glasgow. Glasgow Caledonian University is a 2-minute walk away, and the University of Glasgow is a 15-minute drive away.  

Amenities: Laundry, Games Room, Cinema Theatre, Study Room, High-speed Free Wi-Fi

2. Merchant City House

Merchant City House best student housing Glasgow offers students a range of ensuite rooms and a studio room to choose from with the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University just 10-minutes away from the property.

Amenities: Full-length Mirror, Under-bed Storage, Fridge/freezer, Iron with an ironing board, Microwave, Oven, Vacuum Cleaner, Ventilation System 

3. Thurso Street

Thurso Street is a riverside student accommodation in Glasgow with 2-bedroom flats, en-suites, and studios. The home is one minute from Glasgow International College and ten minutes from the University of Glasgow. 

Amenities: Under-bed Storage, Large Common Room, Ping Pong, Foosball, Cinema Room, Study Room

4. Blackfriars

Blackfriars is a luxurious student housing in Glasgow, offers a variety of en-suites, studios, and one-bedroom flats. It is one of the best accommodations This property is near many universities—the University of Strathclyde is 8 minutes walk and the City of Glasgow College takes 9 minutes to reach on foot. 

Amenities: Common Room, Ping Pong Table, Plush Sofas, TV room 

5. Centro House

Centro House is a luxurious Stirling student accommodation in Glasgow close to well known universities offering students en-suite rooms and studios well located in the heart of the city. With just a 9 minutes drive from the University of Stirling, you can simply get up and attend lectures in less than 10 minutes. 

Amenities: TV Lounge, Gaming Room, Study Rooms, Private Dining Rooms, High-speed Wi-Fi, Outdoor Space, Laundry Room, On-site Gym

6. Buchanan View

If you're seeking light and spacious student housing in Glasgow, Buchanan View may be the place for you. They provide en-suite and studio rooms with a variety of amenities. And students at Glasgow Caledonian University don't have to worry because it's only a 5-minute walk away. Likewise, the University of Strathclyde is a 12-minute walk away. Most significantly, this accommodation have received honors for their excellent value for money, service, and facilities! 

Amenities: Spacious rooms, Community Lounge, Large Windows, Pool Table, Common Area, Garden, Study Desk And Chair, Double Bed, Under Bed Storage Free High-Speed Wi-Fi

7. Tramworks

Tramworks is a stunning student housing in Glasgow. This property offers a wide variety of Ensuite and Studio rooms to choose from. This is one of the best student housing as the Glasgow International College is just a 3-minute drive and the University of Glasgow is just a 6-minute drive from this property. 

Amenities: Spacious Rooms, Wardrobe, Workstation, Necessary Appliances, Fully Equipped Kitchen, Free High-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 Security, CCTV

8. Dobbie's Point

Dobbie’s Point is a top-notch student accommodation in Glasgow. The property offers a range of en-suites and studios at a distance of a 3-minute stroll from Glasgow Caledonian University and a 9-minute walk to the University of Strathclyde.  

Amenities: Comfy Bed, Under-bed Storage, Wardrobe, Personal Study Space, Desk and Chair, Communal Areas, Cinema Room, Gym, Study Room, Outdoor Courtyard & a BBQ area

9. My Pad

MyPad Paisley is an excellent Glasgow student housing, with the University of West Scotland right across the street and the Piazza Shopping Centre right below you. Students can choose from a variety of en-suite alternatives for comfortable accommodation. 

Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Shared Lounge, Kettle, Toaster, Dishwasher, Utensils, Common Area with a 42" TV, On-site Laundry, CCTV, On-site Security, and Secure Door Entrance

10. Firhill Court

Firhill Court is an excellently positioned student home in Glasgow, only a short walk from the city centre, keeping you close to everything! Choose from a variety of fantastic cluster flats with 4 to 6 en-suite bedrooms. Each room features a large comfortable bed, a study area, and enough of storage for all your belongings. 

Amenities: Fully-equipped Kitchen with a Breakfast Bar, 100Mbps of WIFI throughout the building, Parking, Bike Storage, Free Shuttle Bus for students travelling to nearby universities

Don’t just take our word for it! Here are some student reviews of our Firhill Court and MyPad Paisley accommodations. 

Explore More:

Questions to ask before finalising the accommodation

Nervous about taking that final step and signing the contract? Here’s a list of questions to ask before finalising the student housing to make sure you’ve made the right choice:

• How far will I be from my university?
• What are the neighbours like?
• How is the area and what do the neighbours think of it?
• How far is the closest bus/tram/subway stop and are the services regular?
• Is the room fully furnished or will I be spending on furniture?
• How secure is the property and how safe is the area?
• Will bills be included in the rent?

Moving in Checklist for Students

Congratulations! You’ve finally picked out a student housing in Glasgow and are ready to move into your home away from home. Here’s a list of things to help you get started on packing for the big move. 

• Important documents
• Electronics and accessories
• A variety of clothing according to the weather 
• Stationery for university
• Utensils and cutlery
• Bedsheets, blankets and pillows
• Toiletries
• Medical items

If you'd like a detailed list for moving in, we've got your back.

Scams and Frauds

Here at amber, we value your safety and want to ensure you do not face any problems while booking your accommodation. So, we’ve put together this student housing guide to help you dodge any rental scams or frauds.

• Never pay using cash or non-traceable methods.
• Always view an accommodation before finalising it.
• Don’t provide conidential or sensitive information.
• Make sure the landlord passes the vibe check.
• Connect with the current tenants to get their opinion of the property and area.

Here's a detailed guide on rental scams, their types and tips and tricks to avoid them. If you’re on the lookout for affordable best student housing in Glasgow, check out our guide to living in Glasgow on a budget.

A port city packed with culture and arts, Glasgow is perfect for people who want to spend time discovering what the city has to offer. Watch our Glasgow City Guide video for a comprehensive guide on the city. Home to the world’s oldest swimming club and Europe’s busiest bridge, the city is full of history at every turn. Regarded as a friendly city, you can certainly make your home away from home here and enjoy student life in Glasgow. We hope this student housing guide helps you find the best student housing in Glasgow. If you have any further queries, feel free to contact us.