Where to find us
G3 6RQ
Scotland
United Kingdom
Forres
IV362SH
Scotland
Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 21:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00
The Hub at Pacific Quay
Monday - Friday: 9:00 - 21:00
Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00
Highlands and Islands Campus
Monday - Friday: 8:00 - 18:00
Opening hours are subject to change. All campus locations are closed for students and staff on bank holidays, GSA rest days and mid-term holidays.
FAQs
This section is designed to give you answers to the most commonly asked questions or point you directly to the right people at The Glasgow School of Art to answer your question. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please email info@gsa.ac.uk.
Information on studying at the GSA
We offer a range of opportunities for prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students to get the right application information at the right time, online and in person. Our GSA Open series of events takes place throughout the year, and encompasses everything from large Open House events on campus and online to 1-1 online advice sessions. We also offer tours of Degree Shows during the Summer and Autumn which offer a great chance to get to know the school better.
Please join the mailing list (using the form above) to be the first to hear about applicant events and check our Open Days pages here.
For information on all undergraduate programmes at the GSA please check our website pages here. Entry requirements for Undergraduate Study can be found in the Application Guides of your chosen programme. Applications for Undergraduate Study are made via UCAS. Please note that applicants for Product Design Engingeering and Engineering with Architecture should make their applications via the University of Glasgow.
You can also read our Applicant Magazine, Current, which contains more information about studying here and the GSA creative community.
Join our mailing list above to be the first to hear about applicant events and check our Open Days pages here.
For detailed information on all postgraduate level programmes, including doctoral studies, please visit our programme pages here.
Applications for doctoral study are made directly to the school using the appropriate application form for your discipline or subject. You can find details of how to apply for doctoral study here.
We accept applications for MPhil and PhD programmes at any time, but applications received after 30th June will not be considered for entry in that academic year. We must receive the application in full by 30th June for entry in September of the same year.
You can also read our Applicant Magazine, Current, which contains more information about studying here and the GSA creative community.
For detailed information on all postgraduate level programmes, including doctoral studies, masters and research please visit our programme pages here.
For taught postgraduate degrees, we have rolling application windows throughout the year. You can find our application windows here.
Entry requirements for Postgraduate Study can be found on the how to apply page.
You can also read our Applicant Magazine, Current, which contains more information about studying here and the GSA creative community.
Join our mailing list above to be the first to hear about applicant events and check our Open Days pages here.
International
The GSA has an extensive student and staff exchange programme extending to all corners of the world. Over 75 of the world’s leading art, design and architecture schools are our established exchange partners – from Bauhaus-Universität Weimar in Germany to California Institute of the Arts. For information please visit our Exchange and Study abroad page here.
If you have any queries regarding Study Abroad, or are interested in coming to the GSA to Study Abroad at Postgraduate level, please email Rebecca Bill, International Officer for Study Abroad, at r.bill@gsa.ac.uk.
GSA’s Guide to Applying for a UK Student Visa can be found in the following here. If you require support with your visa application or have a specfic question about the UK's immigration law and requirements, you can also contact our Student Welfare service on welfare@gsa.ac.uk.
The UK Visas and Immigration UKVI website provides detailed information on the visa application process.
The UK Council for International Student Affairs website also provides useful information on the UK immigration system.
Entry requirements for Scottish, UK, Irish Leavers Certificate and International Baccalaureate are available in the Application Guide for your programme.
We welcome applications from applicants who have country- specific qualifications. We are in the process of developing some country specific guidance, however in the meantime please contact registry@gsa.ac.uk for details of entry requirements from your country.
The Glasgow School of Art expects all students to demonstrate proficiency in the English language, which for UK students is normally shown by a pass in Higher or GCSE English. For international students required to evidence their English language proficiency, the GSA’s preferred test is the IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test taken at a UKVI approved test centre.
IELTS requirements vary depending on your level of study and programme. IELTS scores required can be found in the Application Guide for your chosen programme at Undergraduate level or the Postgraduate how to apply page.
GSA also offers a pre-sessional English for Creative Disciplines Course for students at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Level. The course is a discipline-specialist language and study skills course tailored to the needs of international students who have been offered a place on an undergraduate or postgraduate course at GSA on the condition that they improve their English up to a level required by a given GSA programme.
Please contact international@gsa.ac.uk
Press and Media
The GSA Media Centre holds our current news and archive of past releases and can be found here. To contact the GSA Press and Media Office directly please email press@gsa.ac.uk
The GSA maintains an archive of images past and present here on Vimeo and a database of images on Flickr here. Images should be credited as directed.
If you require archive images from the GSA's Archives and Collections please visit the site https://gsaarchives.net for a catalogue and details of obtaining permission to publish or broadcast.
We receive a large volume of filming and photography requests from freelance individuals, media and commercial organisations. All requests need to be considered with the utmost regard to our staff, students and visitors. Should you wish to film or take photographs at the School for press, freelance projects or commercial purposes, please contact the Press and Media Office at press@gsa.ac.uk
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 give you the right to ask for and be given information from public organisations in Scotland. These organisations are called Scottish Public Authorities. For the purpose of the legislation, GSA is regarded as a Scottish Public Authority. GSA will accept and respond to requests for information in a range of alternative formats in line with our obligations under the Equality Act 2010.
If you wish to make an FOI request, please email foicoor@gsa.ac.uk.
The UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018 give you the right to see your personal data - that is, information which is about yourself. You can find guidance on how to exercise this right on the UK Information Commissioner’s website. If you have any questions about your personal data, please email: dataprotection@gsa.ac.uk.
For more information about our approach to GDPR and our policies in this area, please visit our GDPR pages.
The Mackintosh Building
For information on the Macintosh Building and restoration please visit the Mackintosh Building website here.
For specific enquiries about the Mackintosh Building please email marketing@gsa.ac.uk.
2023 saw Phase 2 of the Mackintosh Building project completed with the dismantling of the Library Tower and work commenced on the next phases of the rebuild including a temporary roof and most recently, wrapping the Building.
For a more detailed project timeline and to keep up to date with the project, please refer to our dedicated Mackintosh Building project website.
Unfortunately the Building is a secure building site as works continue to prepare for its rebuild and is not available to visit at this time.
We welcome interest in our collections. The Archives and Collections Reading Room is open by appointment throughout the year, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
If you would like to view our holdings in the Reading Room, please make an appointment in advance by emailing archives@gsa.ac.uk or telephoning 0141 566 1418. You can also book a group handling session – Please visit the Policies & Guides area of the Archives and Collections site for more information.
You will need to let us know what you would like to see. You can look at the online catalogue beforehand to select specific materials, or we can help you decide what to see. We like to know in advance what you would like to see as retrievals of material from our stores at short notice is not possible.
There are lots of exhibits and places to view the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald. A short walk from the GSA you can visit Mackintosh at the Willow, whilst museums such as the Hunterian Art Gallery at Glasgow University and Kelvingrove Museum have exhibits dedicated to the work of both designers.
Elsewhere in the city you can Mackintosh buildings including The Lighthouse, Queen Cross Church, Scotland Street School and House for an Art Lover. You can visit the Scottish National Trust run Hill House in Helensburgh easily from Glasgow with direct train services running between Glasgow and Helensburgh regularly thoroughout the day.
General
Please check the GSA Exhibitions website here. If the information you need is not available, please contact our exhibitions team by email on exhibitions@gsa.ac.uk.
The Glasgow School of Art's annual exhibition of undergraduate and postgraduate graduating students' work.
In 2024 our Summer Degree Show takes place Friday 31 May - Sunday 9 June 2024. The Summer Degree Show features work by all of our Undergraduate Programmes, as well as the Master of Fine Art and the MDes Communication Design.
Our Autumn Graduate Degree Show for 2024 takes place 30 August - 8 September 2024. The Graduate Degree Show features work from our on year taught Postgraduate Masters programmes.
Each year, to accompany the shows, we make online Showcases which feature curated pages by some of our students on programmes across the year. You can find the Summer Degree Show Graduate Showcase here, and the Postgraduate Showcase here.
Degree Show is a good time to purchase work by our students, and we encourage you to visit the show and make enquiries about work to purchase during Degree Shows. If you are interested in the work of a specific graduate, you can also visit their Showcase page for contact information for sale enquires.
Yes, some parts of the GSA are open to visitors. The Reid Gallery (curated by GSA Exhibitions) and Window on Heritage run regular public exhibitions.
Please note that Studios and workshops are not open to the public, however we run on campus open events including tours throughout the year. For more information on GSA Open visit their pages here.
The GSA has a comprehensive fully searchable document and policies site which is fully searchable. To access the site, please visit https://gsadocuments.net/
We welcome interest in our collections. The Archives and Collections Reading Room is open by appointment throughout the year, Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.
If you would like to view our holdings in the Reading Room, please make an appointment in advance by emailing archives@gsa.ac.uk or telephoning 0141 566 1418. You can also book a group handling session – Please visit the Policies & Guides area of the Archives and Collections site for more information.
You will need to let us know what you would like to see. You can look at the online catalogue beforehand to select specific materials, or we can help you decide what to see. We like to know in advance what you would like to see as retrievals of material from our stores at short notice is not possible.
A range of services are available to you as a graduate member of our Creative Network.
Enterprise Studio: summer school, opportunities, networks, learning and resources
Library and Learning Resources: Access to the GSA library, discount on further study
Careers Service: advice and guidance, blogs, job posts and appointments
Alumni News: publications, bulletins, exhibitions and events, promotional opportunities
Networks and Connections: Join us on LinkedIn and across social media – get connected with GSA’s global community.
Working Space talks - a range of themed online talks offering work-related advice to current students and emerging graduates
Get involved - send your most up to date contact details to CreativeNetwork@gsa.ac.uk
We do not currently have a shop, however student markets and events take place throughout the year and these are often organised through the Students' Association. You can keep up to date with their events by visiting their website or following them on instagram @thegsasa.
Some of our graduating students will sell work as part of their Degree Show. If you have a specific sales enquiry some of our students will have contact information on their graduate showcase pages.
The AQO will maintain the archive and provide the older specs on request. Please email your request to Quality@gsa.ac.uk.
Registry
A transcript is a summary of your grades from your time at the GSA. You can request one by email by contacting registry@gsa.ac.uk
GSA Registry is responsible for all aspects of student administration at The Glasgow School of Art, from admissions, through to enrolment and graduation.
GSA Registry Office Opening Times: Monday to Friday, 09.00 until 17.00. You can contact them by email on registry@gsa.ac.uk
We produce CAS letters over the summer in time for making your Student Visa application. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your CAS, please email registry@gsa.ac.uk
The GSA has two graduation ceremonies a year - one in the summer and one in the winter. Information is shared with relevant students in advance. If you need further information contact registry@gsa.ac.uk and current students should refer to the student intranet.
Applications for undergraduate study are assessed on receipt during the application window so early application is encouraged. Selected applicants will then be invited to a portfolio interview.
More information about the application timetable for applying for undergraduate study is available in our Applicant Magazine.
Applications for taught postgraduate study are assessed during designated application windows depending on when you submit your application for study. Early application before the Standard 1 deadline is encouraged as where programmes become over-subscribed we cannot guarantee to review applicaitons after this date. Application windows for taught postgraduate programmes are available on the Postgraduate How to Apply page here.
Finance
How you pay your fees will depend on your level of study and funding arrangements. Details of your fee category and any associated deposits will be sent to you in your offer letter.
Please refer to the Fees and Finance page here for details . We also have an online payment options listed below.
GSA Webpayments - Glasgow School of Art's online payment service is an easy and flexible way to pay tuition fees, accommodation fees and other outstanding invoices.
https://payments.heycentric.io/payments/?client=GSA&entity=QPAY
International Payments Platform - We proudly partner with Convera to offer you a simple, secure, and smart way to pay your fees online. Convera’s platform is trusted by 800+ institutions worldwide to enable payments in 100+ currencies across 200+ countries and territories. Choose to pay by bank transfer, open banking, credit/debit card and multiple e-wallets all at competitive prices.
Click here to make your payment
If you require further information please contact the Finance Office at fees@gsa.ac.uk.
Certain national governments offer student support to residents, as follows:
SAAS (Scottish residents and EU citizens with Settled/Pre-Settled Status in the UK)
Student Finance England
Postgraduate Funding
Student Finance Wales
Student Finance Northern Ireland
International residents should check with their home government.
The Fees and Finance page here has more information on fees as well as a guide to financing your studies including information on US Federal Loans and Disabled Students' Allowance.
This is a tricky question to answer and a lot will depend on factors including your fee status, programme of study, accommodation arrangements and lifestyle. We understand however that for effective planning it is really important that you have a good idea of how much studying at the GSA is likely to cost and what kinds of costs you are likely to incur over and above fees. Our Total Cost of Study 2023/24 has been produced to help you plan for some of the costs that you may need to think about.
In undertaking your studies you may incur additional costs over and above your tuition fees. Additional costs will vary depending on your programme of study. Examples of additional costs include materials to develop work in response to coursework; attending project site visits and field trips; graduation gown hire and photography; optional study trips, participating in study abroad exchange and purchasing personal equipment.
To help you plan for study, Undergraduate and Postgraduate taught programmes at the GSA have produced an 'Indicative Programme Costs' document. This can be found on the programme page of your chosen programme of study.
The costs are indicative only and do not take into account decisions you might make related to selecting materials, production of work, or purchase of personal and specialist equipment for exclusive use. You will be provided with support through tutorials to consider costs, methods, materials and sustainable approaches to develop work and achieve intended learning outcomes.
Rent payments for GSA Halls should be paid using the Starrez portal. Contact the accommodation offices for queries relating to GSA Halls accommodation@gsa.ac.uk.
Student Support
Many students at the GSA have disability-related needs.
If you are an offer holder or a current student and have a disability, please email learningsupport@gsa.ac.uk so that they can work with you to explore how your disability might impact on your learning and to ensure that you get the support that you need.
Our Learning Support team can support students by communicating individual learning needs through a Reasonable Adjustmentment Report and supporting your application for Disabled Students Allowance.
If you suspect that you have a learning disability that has not yet been diagnosed, we also provide an assessment service to ascertain what your specific learning needs are.
For more information on Learning Support on our Student Support Services page. You can also email learningsupport@gsa.ac.uk.
If you are a new undergraduate or postgraduate student, you will have the chance to apply to the GSA's two Halls of Residence, conveniently located in Glasgow City Centre. We also have Halls of Residence accommodation for students based in our Highlands & Islands campus. You can find out more about our Halls of Residence on our Accommodation pages.
Our Student Welfare team can support students looking for or who are currently living in or looking for privately rented accommodation. They have produced a series of guides for students which can be found here.
The Student Counselling Service is one of the Student Support Services available to all matriculated students who are part of the Glasgow School of Art community. We provide a professional and confidential environment in which you can explore personal and emotional issues that impact on you and your studies.
Our Student Welfare team offer practical support and advice on accommodation, funding and finances, childcare, healthcare, Visa information and support for international students living in the UK, as well as advice for students on the day-to-day practicalities of being a student.
They can also provide support for care leavers and care experienced young people as well as student carers.
You can find out more by visiting our Student Support Services page, or by emailing welfare@gsa.ac.uk.
If you are at a state secondary school in the West of Scotland, are care experienced and thinking about applying to the GSA, you can participate in our Widening Participation Programme.
As an offer holder or student our welfare team can also support and advise you on funding and financial assistance, accommodation and learning support. To help you navigate your way through the various services, we offer a single point of contact to support you from before you arrive, until after you graduate.
For more information about our Student Welfare services, please visit our Student Support Services page.
Complaints
Since August 2013, all Scottish Higher Education institutions have been required to implement the Model Complaints Handling Procedure, introduced by the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman (SPSO). The SPSO published a revised Model Complaints Handling Procedure in January 2020, which GSA implemented in April 2021.
The Glasgow School of Art Complaints Handling Procedure
The Complaints Handling Procedure
Glasgow School of Art’s Complaints Handling Procedure reflects our commitment to valuing complaints. It is impartial – and we will ensure that no complainant is disadvantaged as a result of making a complaint. Glasgow School of Art treats all complaints in a confidential and sensitive manner. We will consider anonymous complaints where there is enough information for us to take them forward.
Glasgow School of Art is committed to supporting complainants. Please let us know if you would like us to help you find an independent advocate to help you through the process. We can provide BSL interpreters on request, as well as alternative format copies of all our complaints documentation (including the procedure and guides).
How do I make a complaint?
If you wish to make a complaint, you can complete a complaint form found here. If you are a GSA student or staff you can make a complaint via the staff or student intranet. Complaints can also be made in writing to complaints@gsa.ac.uk.
Quarterly and Annual complaints performance data can be found on our key documents and policies site. If you have any questions about the information above, please contact us at complaints@gsa.ac.uk.
An appeal about an academic decision on assessment or admission is not a complaint. There are separate mechanisms to deal with these issues. It is important that you act promptly if you want to appeal an academic decision. Please contact GSA Registry
registry@gsa.ac.uk
Scholarships
The GSA scholarship application deadline for 2023/24 has passed. The GSA scholarships for 2024/25 will be published on our scholarships page here in April 2024.
You can apply for a maximum of two scholarships. Please refer to the Scholarships page for detailed information.
GSA scholarships are open to new undergraduates (including direct entry into year 2 or 3) and postgraduate students with a conditional or unconditional offer of study at the GSA. Please refer to the Scholarships page for detailed information.
Yes new International Foundation students are eligible. Students who have perviously studied International Foundation and are returning as an undergraduate students are also eligible to apply.
Yes - if you studied at the GSA as an Undergraduate student and are returning to study on a Postgraduate programme, you would be considered a new Postgraduate student.
Scottish residency is determined using the same criteria SAAS use to assess students for tuition fee funding. If you are being funded by SAAS as a Scottish student, please send a copy of your SAAS award letter with your application. If you are not being funded by SAAS (perhaps you have already completed an HND and SAAS will not pay your tuition fees until the 2nd year of your studies, then you should include theSAAS correspondence confirming this). This evidence can be submitted after the scholarship application deadline if your SAAS application is still to be assessed.
EU students can apply for most of the GSA scholarships. Some scholarships have a domicile or tuition fee status requirement. Information on tuition fee status can be found here. New EU students, moving to Scotland to join GSA, are likely to be considered international fee payers and therefore are eligible to apply for our international scholarships. New students from the Republic of Ireland are likely to be considered an RUK fee payers and are therefore eligible for ourHome/RUK scholarships. EU students who have been resident in Scotland prior 31 Dec ember 2020 (the date the UK exited the EU) may be eligible for Home tuition fee status.
Please contact admissions@gsa.ac.uk to discuss your fee status.
The RUK Welcome Scholarship is available to students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Applicant must be classed as an RUK (£9,250) fee payer and must demonstrate they are from a low income household (under £50,000).
Students from the Republic of Ireland with an RUK fee status are eligible to apply for the RUK Welcome Scholarship. Student from the Republic ofIreland who have been ordinarily resident in Scotland prior to 31 Dec 2020 may be categorised with aHome/Scottish fee status – these students are not eligible for the RUK Welcome Scholarship. Please contact admissions@gsa.ac.uk to discuss your fee status.
Please provide your GSA offer notification/e-mail indicating your tuition fee status. If available, please also include a copy of your financial notification letter from your funding body (Student FinanceEngland/Wales/Northern Ireland/SAAS) with your scholarship application. If you have applied for the maximum maintenance loan available to you the amount of loan you are awarded will indicate your household income. This evidence can be submitted after the scholarship application deadline if your funding application is still to be assessed by your student funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are not eligible for a maintenance student loan but can apply to SAAS for a tuition fee loan. With your application for the GSA RUK Welcome Scholarship please include your SAASAward Letter (this can be submitted after the scholarship application deadline if necessary) and evidence of your household income from the 2022 tax year. Details of what is considered household income can be found here.
Below is a list of documents you can submit with your scholarship application to demonstrate your household income. Please include evidence of income from your parents if you are under the age of 25 at the start of your course:
- P60 / Employment DetailSummary
- Final pay slips from the 2022tax year
- Annual tax summary
- State benefits letter
- Self-employed / property Tax Assessment calculation
Please contact scholarship@gsa.ac.uk if you are unsure what evidence to include with your application