The University of Strathclyde is a public research university located in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. Founded in 1796 as the Andersonian Institute, it is Glasgow’s second-oldest university, with the university receiving its royal charter in 1964 as the UK’s first technological university. It takes its name from the historic Kingdom of Strathclyde. It holds the distinction of being the first technological university, receiving this in 1964.
The University of Strathclyde is Scotland’s third-largest university by number of students, with students and staff from over 100 countries. The institution was awarded University of the Year 2012 and Entrepreneurial University of the year 2013 by Times Higher Education. The university offers a range of subjects, but has a focus on technological and scientific studies. Research is also an important part of Strathclyde’s offerings, with key focuses on health, manufacturing and energy, among others. Also on offer are a wide variety of partnerships with businesses as well as other higher education institutions, both inside and outside of the UK.
Strathclyde was ranked 37th in the UK for the quality (GPA) of its research in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, a rise of 13 places from the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise. The university is highly ranked among the top 10 in the UK in various subjects according to the Complete University Guide 2018, namely being 2nd for Accounting & Finance; 8th for Architecture; 1st for Aural & Oral Sciences; 9th for Business & Management Studies; 2nd for Communication & Media Studies; 10th for Electrical & Electronic Engineering; 4th for Forensic Science; 2nd for Hospitality, Leisure, Recreation & Tourism; 4th for Marketing; 10th for Chemical Engineering; 2nd for Pharmacology and Pharmacy; 2nd for Social Policy and 1st for Medical Technology. QS World University Rankings 2017 placed the university among the top 30 internationally for Hospitality & Leisure Management, 51-100 for Pharmacy, 101-150 for Business & Management and Electrical & Electronic Engineering, 151-200 for Architecture, 209 for Social Sciences and 210 for Engineering & Technology.
Being that it is such a long-running and well-established institution, the University of Strathclyde has a proud line of alumni, including Team GB swimmer Robbie Renwick, inventor John Logie Baird, explorer David Livingstone and comedian Ed Byrne.