University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

The University of Strathclyde, located in Glasgow, is one of the city's oldest and third largest higher education institutions. Established in 1796, the university has a rich history, initially opening with faculties in Engineering, Science, Humanities and Social Science, and the Strathclyde Business School. The founding of the university was made possible by the funding from John Anderson, a professor of Natural Philosophy.

Significantly, in 1964, the University of Strathclyde received the Royal Charter, marking it as the United Kingdom's first technological university, a testament to its longstanding commitment to innovation and education in the technological field. This event came 164 years after the university's original establishment, highlighting its long-standing presence in the academic world.

The campus itself is not just an educational hub but also a site of interest for visitors and prospective students. The public is welcome to explore the campus, which attracts thousands of students yearly, eager to experience the atmosphere of their future academic home. While the student accommodation and various departments are off-limits, many other areas of the university are open for visits, especially during the holidays.

One of the notable features of the campus is the Rottenrow Gardens. These gardens are situated on the former site of a maternity hospital, and a striking feature is the 7-meter-high steel nappy-pin sculpture, serving as a memorial to the hospital's history.

The university also boasts significant artistic attractions. The Collins Gallery, for instance, hosts temporary art exhibitions featuring works by world-renowned artists. Another remarkable installation is “Callanish,” created by Gerald Laing. This group of 16 steel and concrete pillars is a representation of the ancient standing stones found on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, dating back to 2900 BC.