Formed in 2010 through the merger of Central College, Glasgow Metropolitan College, and Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, the institution has since become Scotland’s largest College and one of the most advanced in the UK.
Build to accommodate up to 40,000 students, the College plays a pivotal role across many industries – from maritime and engineering to business, sport, hospitality, healthcare and the creative arts. Each year over 8,000 skilled graduates enter the workforce, making the College a vital contributor to Scotland’s economy and to communities around the world.
Its heritage, however, runs much deeper. The story can be traced back to 1853, when Allan Glen’s Institute first opened on the site where today’s City Campus now stands. From those early beginnings to the £228 million “super campus” of the present day, one thread has remained consistent: widening access, delivering industry-relevant skills, and transforming lives.
The 15-year anniversary was marked at a gala dinner which welcomed leaders from business and academia, alongside students, staff and alumni whose achievements embody the College’s mission. Guest of honour was Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, who formerly opened the City Campus in 2016 – a fitting return that underlined the institution’s enduring importance to the nation’s educational and economic landscape.
(Image: City of Glasgow College’s Principal and CEO Paul Little) Across this supplement are 15 inspiring profiles of students and graduates whose journeys highlight the life-changing impact of a City of Glasgow College education.
From celebrity chef Nick Nairn, whose nautical studies sparked a global career in food, to Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kimberley Renicks, chocolatier Chloe Oswald, actor Scott Kyle and many more, these stories reflect the breadth of talent nurtured by the College.
Together with coverage of the gala evening, they illustrate how City of Glasgow College has grown over the past 15 years, while honouring the heritage of its legacy institutions. It is a story of resilience, innovation and ambition – and of an institution that continues to Let Learning Flourish for generations to come.
Read the full special supplement here