University of Glasgow for Kenyan Students

🇬🇧 Glasgow, United Kingdom · Russell Group
Direct Entry Available KCSE Accepted 4 Scholarships ✓ Verified 2026-07
World Ranking #79
Founded 1451
Students 43,000+
Last updated: 2026-07 · Always verify with the official university website

QS #79 ranked University of Glasgow (Russell Group) is located in Glasgow, United Kingdom. Kenyan students can apply directly to undergraduate programmes. Undergraduate tuition is £27,720–£62,730/year, with a minimum IELTS of 6.5. For Masters entry, a minimum GPA of 3/4 (2:1) and IELTS 6.5 is required, with tuition from £26,460–£34,470/year. 4 scholarships are tracked for Kenyan students, including GREAT Scholarships (Kenya) and University of Glasgow African Excellence Award.

Quick Facts — Kenyan Students
KCSE Accepted Yes
Minimum GPA (Masters) 3 / 4
IELTS Required 6.5 overall (6 each)
Tuition Range £26,460 – £34,470/yr
Scholarships Available Yes – 4 available
Application Deadline Rolling — programme-specific; apply early for competitive Business School programmes
Processing Time 4–8 weeks

Entry Requirements by Level

Academic Requirements

Direct entry available. Medicine/Dentistry/Vet Med deadline October 15 via UCAS. IELTS may be waived with KCSE English grade B. Non-clinical fees top out at £33,210; £62,730 is Medicine. Fees shown are 2026/27.

English Language

IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.

Fees & Deadline

Annual tuition: £27,720–£62,730. Application deadline: January 14.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA: 3/4 (2:1 UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. Some programmes (Law, some MSc) require IELTS 7.0/6.5. Business Analytics and Finance & Management at the top of the fee range (£34,470). Fees shown are 2026/27.

English Language

IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.

Fees & Deadline

Annual tuition: £26,460–£34,470. Application deadline: Rolling — programme-specific; apply early for competitive Business School programmes. Decision time: 4–8 weeks.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA: 3/4 (2:1 minimum; relevant Masters usually expected). Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. Entry criteria vary by college. Research proposal and supervisor contact recommended before applying.

Specific Requirements

Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.

Deadline

Rolling — January–March for most funded positions

Documents Required

Official academic transcript (translated & certified)
KCSE certificate
Personal statement (max 4,000 characters via UCAS)
Two academic references
Valid international passport
IELTS/TOEFL score report
Financial evidence (bank statement or sponsor letter)
Research proposal (PhD applicants)

Available Scholarships

GREAT Scholarships (Kenya)

£10,000 tuition discount — 5 awards for taught Masters (Kenya on the 2026 list) Deadline: Spring (annual — country list changes yearly)

by British Council + University of Glasgow · Masters

Learn more →

University of Glasgow African Excellence Award

Full tuition-fee waiver — up to 16 awards for one-year taught Masters, any discipline Deadline: March (annual)

by University of Glasgow · Masters

Learn more →

Chevening Scholarship

Full tuition + living allowance + flights Deadline: October (annual)

by UK Government (FCDO) · Masters

Learn more →

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

Full tuition + living stipend + airfares Deadline: December–January (annual)

by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission + Glasgow · Masters

Learn more →

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the University of Glasgow accept KCSE?

Yes — and unusually for a Russell Group university, Glasgow accepts KCSE for DIRECT undergraduate entry, no Foundation Year needed if your grades are strong. Glasgow maps KCSE to A-level requirements: an A average for AAA programmes and a B+ average for AAB/ABB/BBB programmes. If your grades fall short, Glasgow International College (Kaplan) offers a foundation route from £23,870.

Can Kenyan students skip IELTS at Glasgow?

Often, yes. Glasgow accepts KCSE English Language grade B or above in place of IELTS for most programmes — a significant saving in cost and time. Check your specific programme's English language requirements to confirm, as some competitive programmes (Law, Medicine) may still require IELTS 7.0.

What GPA do Kenyan students need for a Glasgow Masters?

Glasgow publishes an explicit Kenya equivalency: Upper Second Class Honours, a 'B' average, 3.0 GPA or 60–66% equals a UK 2:1 — the standard requirement for most taught Masters. Lower Second (2.5 GPA, 50–59%) equals a 2:2, which some programmes accept. IELTS is typically 6.5 overall — or waived with KCSE English B.

What scholarships can Kenyan students get at Glasgow?

Kenya is particularly well placed at Glasgow: it was one of only five countries on Glasgow's GREAT Scholarships 2026 list (£10,000, 5 awards — the list changes yearly). Kenyans are also eligible for Glasgow's own African Excellence Award (up to 16 full Masters fee waivers for African students), Chevening (fully funded) and Commonwealth Shared Scholarships.

Tips for Applying to Glasgow

Glasgow is arguably the strongest Russell Group option for Kenyan students right now: KCSE is accepted for direct undergraduate entry, KCSE English B replaces IELTS, and Kenya sits on both Glasgow's GREAT Scholarships list AND the African Excellence Award (16 full Masters fee waivers). Ancient-university prestige at fees well below London — apply early to maximise scholarship chances.

Official source: University of Glasgow ↗

Plan Your United Kingdom Student Visa

Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Kenyan passport holders applying to United Kingdom.

Full Visa Guide →

Cost of Living in Glasgow

Accommodation £350 – £1,040/month

Private shared room from £350; university halls £130–£240/week self-catered

Food & Groceries £150 – £250/month

Transport £50 – £80/month

Subway and buses; West End is walkable from most student areas

Utilities & Internet £35 – £120/month

Lower end for shared bills; included in university halls

Personal & Misc £100 – £150/month

Estimated Total Monthly Cost £1,100 – £1,700/month