Glasgow Student Accommodation: The Complete 2026 Guide
Glasgow is having a moment.
Second-largest city in the UK. More students per capita than almost anywhere else. A music scene that rivals Manchester. Rent that's actually affordable.
And yet... finding accommodation is getting harder every year. Glasgow has a genuine housing crisis, with thousands of students missing out on beds annually.
I've analyzed all 55 properties in our Glasgow database. Here's everything you need to know.
Glasgow By The Numbers
| Metric | Glasgow | UK Average |
|---|---|---|
| Properties in Database | 55 | - |
| Cheapest Room | £99/week | £81/week |
| Average Rent | £200/week | £170/week |
| Most Expensive | £398/week | - |
| Monthly Search Volume | 6,000+ | - |
Glasgow is the second most-searched city for student accommodation after Manchester.
The 8 Cheapest Properties in Glasgow
Let me save you hours of searching:
1. Collegelands - From £99/week 🏆
The cheapest verified option in Glasgow. Run by UniAcco (4.0★ booking platform) and FSL.
Location: Merchant City area What you get: En-suite or shared bathroom options, bills included
My take: At £99/week in Glasgow, this is remarkable value. The Merchant City location is central for both Glasgow Uni and Strathclyde. Book early - this sells out.
2. Merchant City House - From £148/week
Provider: Unite Students (2.7★) Location: Merchant City
My take: Unite's Glasgow buildings are generally okay. Central location. Standard Unite experience - fine if nothing goes wrong.
3. St James - From £145/week
Provider: Abodus Student Living Location: City centre
My take: Less-known provider, but decent reviews. Good middle-ground option.
4. Kyle Park House - From £150/week
Provider: Unite Students (2.7★) Location: Partick, West End
My take: If you're at Glasgow Uni (main campus), this is closer than city centre options. Partick is a great student area.
5-8. Other Budget Options
| Property | Price | Provider | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Mungo's | £159-£315 | Student Roost | City Centre |
| Buchanan View | £165-£210 | Dwell Student | City Centre |
| West Village | £168-£332 | Prestige | West End |
| Thurso St | £175-£240 | Host | West End |
Glasgow's Student Areas Explained
West End (Best for Glasgow Uni)
Vibe: The classic student area. Cafes, vintage shops, Ashton Lane. Rent: £150-280/week Commute: 5-15 min walk to Glasgow Uni Who it's for: University of Glasgow students
Areas: Partick, Hillhead, Kelvingrove
City Centre / Merchant City
Vibe: Urban, convenient, nightlife-focused Rent: £99-300/week Commute: 10-20 min to Glasgow Uni, 5 min to Strathclyde Who it's for: Strathclyde students, anyone wanting central living
Dennistoun
Vibe: Up-and-coming, artsy, cheaper Rent: £100-150/week Commute: 15-25 min to both unis Who it's for: Budget-conscious students who don't mind a commute
Finnieston
Vibe: Trendy, restaurants, young professionals Rent: £180-300/week Commute: 10-15 min to Glasgow Uni Who it's for: Those who can afford the premium
University of Glasgow vs University of Strathclyde
These are the two big universities. Your choice affects where you should live:
| Factor | Glasgow Uni | Strathclyde |
|---|---|---|
| Location | West End (Gilmorehill) | City Centre |
| Best area | Partick, Hillhead | Merchant City, Dennistoun |
| Typical commute | West End properties | City centre properties |
| Vibe | Traditional, leafy | Urban, modern |
Safety in Glasgow
⚠️ Scotland Data Note: The UK Police API doesn't cover Scotland. We use SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation) for Glasgow properties, which measures overall area deprivation rather than specific crime counts.
Generally, Glasgow's student areas are safe:
- West End: Very safe, leafy, well-lit
- Merchant City: Safe, busy, well-policed
- City centre: Standard city precautions
- Dennistoun: Improving rapidly, some rougher pockets
Why Glasgow is Underrated
I'm going to say it: Glasgow might be the best value student city in the UK.
1. Culture
- More live music venues per capita than anywhere in the UK
- King Tut's, Barrowland Ballroom, Sub Club
- Free museums (Kelvingrove is world-class)
2. Cost of Living
- Pints are £4-5 (vs £6-7 in London)
- Food is cheap
- Public transport is affordable (£3 day rider on bus)
3. People
- Glaswegians are legendarily friendly
- Strong community feel
- Less transient than some English cities
4. Location
- Edinburgh is 45 mins by train
- Highlands accessible for day trips
- Decent airport
5. Graduate Prospects
- Growing tech scene
- JP Morgan, Barclays major employers
- Media (BBC Scotland, STV)
The Downsides (Being Honest)
- Weather: It rains. A lot. Get a good jacket.
- Housing shortage: Genuine crisis. Book early or you'll struggle.
- Accent: Takes some getting used to if you're from down south
- Distance: London is far. Flying is expensive.
Booking Strategy for Glasgow
📅 Glasgow Booking Timeline
- September-November: First-years get uni offers, start looking
- December-January: BOOK NOW if you want cheap options
- February-March: Best rooms are gone
- April-June: Slim pickings, premium prices
- July-August: Desperate territory
My advice: If you have a Glasgow offer (conditional or unconditional), book accommodation as early as possible. The cheap rooms genuinely sell out by February.
Quick Links: Best Glasgow Properties
Budget (Under £160/week)
- Collegelands - £99/week
- St James - £145/week
- Merchant City House - £148/week
- Kyle Park House - £150/week
Mid-Range (£160-220/week)
Premium (£220+/week)
For those who want all the amenities and modern finishes.
Browse all Glasgow properties →
Prices verified January 2026. Glasgow housing situation changes rapidly - book early for best selection.