Glasgow Caledonian University

My english was pretty good before I started my course. I learned many local expressions and about the history of the country and its people. My communication skills have nevertheless improved considerably. Although I could have a normal conversation when I arrived, I am now able to make presentations with great ease and fluency. Got a bit of the local accent as well and people are usually confused about where I'm from as some of my expressions are and sound Scottish.

Make sure you fill your SAAS form once you know where you're going. Had to pay quite a large slice of my tuition fees. Although they are now abolished for students in Scotland. Buy your clothes in second had shops. Never buy brand new uni books (students of previous years always try to get some quids for their used and overused (well sometimes untouched) textbooks. Only buy stuff during the sales, same stuff different (affordable) price. Don't smoke.

Stay clear from Sighthill, Govan and any other place where people are likely to follow you with baseball bats at night. For accomodation, look for shopwindows in Byres Road (West End) and stay with other students as otherwise you have to pay council tax (no need for that extra expense). Nighlife is brilliant and Glasgow is quite a compact city you can easily walk from club/pub to the other.

Student night spots include 'The Garage' 'Shack' and all the pubs around Sauchihall Street (just follow the crowd). Alternatively, closer to Glasgow University, Ashton Lane with its many pubs and good student atmosphere.

My accomodation in Glasgow was not provided by the university as I entered directly into second year and the halls of residence are prioritised for first-year students. I moved several times from Govan (don't go there!) to Hyndland (quite expensive almost posh) to Partick (somewhere in between amongst the commons, cheaper and quite close to student areas)