City of Glasgow College
City of Glasgow College (Scottish Gaelic: Colaiste Baile Glaschu, Scots: Ceety o Glesga College) is a further and higher education college in Glasgow, Scotland. It was established when Central College, Glasgow Metropolitan College, and the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies merged in 2010 to establish the largest college in Scotland.
Colaiste Baile Glaschu Ceety o Glesga College | |
![]() Riverside Campus on the River Clyde | |
Former names | Central College, Glasgow Glasgow Metropolitan College Glasgow College of Nautical Studies |
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Motto | Let Learning Flourish |
Type | Further and Higher Education |
Established | September 2010 |
Chairman | Alisdair Barron |
Principal | Paul Little |
Students | 27,000 |
Location | , Scotland, UK |
Colours | Purple and Silver |
Nickname | CoGC Scotland's Super College |
Website | www.cityofglasgowcollege.ac.uk www.citysa.co.uk |
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History
On 30 August 2010, the Scottish Government voted to merge the Central College, Glasgow, Glasgow Metropolitan College and the Glasgow College of Nautical Studies into one institution.[1]
Presently, City of Glasgow College is the largest college and technical institution in Scotland.[2] The college offers up to 2,000 professional and technical courses annually from access level to masters level.
Campuses

The twin-site campus of the college cost £228 million to construct.[3]
The Riverside Campus, originally opened in 1969, was extensively rebuilt and officially opened by Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, on 26 October 2015.[4] It offers courses in nautical science and engineering, and is situated on the south bank of the River Clyde. It also offers Merchant Navy officer training up to Chief Engineer and Master Mariner level. Up to 3,000 cadets study at the nautical faculty which is celebrating its 50th anniversary since opening in 2019.
The City Campus, situated on Cathedral Street in Glasgow, was officially opened by Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in 2016. The main contractor on both developments was Sir Robert McAlpine with architects Michael Laird and Reiach & Hall.
Both campuses were shortlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize.[5]
Student association

The City of Glasgow College Students Association is commonly known as CitySA. It has one sabbatical president with three part-time Vice Presidents of Social & Activities, Learning & Teaching and Diversity and Wellbeing. They are governed by a Student Executive Committee, consisting of the Presidential Team as well as 12 student volunteers. They are currently affiliated with the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland. CitySA won the "College Student Association of the Year Award" in 2012 from NUS Scotland.
References
- "Largest college in Scotland formed as three Glasgow institutions get together". Daily Record. 30 August 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- "EFQM Global Excellence Index". www.globalexcellenceindex.org. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- "Go-ahead for £228m City of Glasgow College campuses". BBC News. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- "First Minister opens City of Glasgow College's new £66m Riverside Campus". Scottish Construction Now. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- "Glasgow college campus is Scotland's only Riba Stirling Prize nominee". BBC News. 14 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2019.