Hi, I’m planning on applying for MSc Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Strathclyde. I have a Bachelor’s in Chemistry (2022) and I took 2-year gap after. Will my lack of biology/biotech background and the 2 year gap make it too challenging? Would love to hear from anyone who’s done this course!

Hi,

I’m just wondering if anyone knows if there is a buzzword for applying to ucas? I haven’t been made aware and ucas asks if you are applying from university which i am as i’m applying to do a pdge.

Well, folks, it’s that magical time of year again—the Andersonian Library is officially open 24/7, and so am I. Forget Christmas lights; the glow of my laptop screen at 3 a.m. is the real festive vibe. Strath students, unite! Or, more accurately, scatter across five different levels of the library, avoiding eye contact like we’re in some sort of academic Hunger Games.

Now, let me set the scene for those lucky enough to have lives outside of this academic abyss.

Picture me, AJ, a lone warrior armed with nothing but my questionable time management skills and a flat can of Red Bull. I’ve claimed my spot on the quiet floor—because nothing says “I’m prepared for this exam” like passive-aggressively shushing people who dare to breathe too loudly.

The Exam Season Starter Pack:

1. A questionable sleep schedule: The library is open 24 hours, so why not my brain? Who needs a circadian rhythm when you’ve got panic as a substitute?

2. Snacks that scream desperation: Yesterday, I ate an entire pack of Tesco value cookies because I didn’t want to lose my seat to that one guy who walks around like he’s scouting for chess opponents.

3. A water bottle I haven’t refilled in three days: Hydration is for the weak. Or at least for people not cramming 12 weeks of content into 12 hours.

4. Caffeine dependency that should be studied by medical professionals: My bloodstream is 80% coffee at this point. When the library café closes, I briefly consider brewing instant coffee in the bathroom sink. (Don’t judge me—it’s a dark time. Literally. It’s 4 a.m.)

The People You Meet During 24-Hour Library Time:

• The Overachiever: They’ve got their color-coded notes, their 3-month study plan, and a look of pity for the rest of us who are speed-reading lecture slides from 2019. I salute you, but also, how dare you?

• The Group Project Ghosts: A gaggle of students arguing over who’s responsible for the part of the presentation no one understands. They take up a whole table. No one’s even typing.

• The Procrastinator’s Redemption Arc (me): You’ll find me furiously typing out flashcards I’ll never look at again, pretending I can make up for 12 weeks of Netflix binges in one caffeine-fueled night.

• The Sleeper: There’s always one brave soul who gives in to exhaustion and straight-up sleeps on the desk. If this is you, I respect your priorities.

The Emotional Roller-coaster:

Hour 1: “This is fine. I’ve got plenty of time.”
Hour 4: “I don’t understand this topic, but it can’t be that important, right?”
Hour 7: Googling “Can you pass an exam by sheer force of will?”
Hour 10: Contemplating life decisions, career paths, and whether running away to the Highlands would really be so bad.

At some point, the panic subsides into a strange kind of acceptance.

Sure, I might fail, but at least I’ll fail with flair. As AJ, it’s my personal brand to make everything slightly more dramatic than it needs to be. So if you see someone dramatically flipping through notes at 3 a.m., muttering “This is fine” like a mantra… yeah, that’s probably me.

To my fellow Strath warriors,

May your caffeine be strong, your Wi-Fi stable, and your exam questions miraculously align with the 5% of the syllabus you skimmed. If you see me, AJ, in the library, say hi—or just nod solemnly as we pass like ships in the night, bonded by shared academic despair.

Good luck, everyone. We’re all in this beautifully chaotic mess together.

AJ, signing off… until my next caffeine-fueled spiral.

So here I am, folks, thriving at the University of Strathclyde. You might know it as “The Place People Accidentally End Up When They Misspell Glasgow Uni.” But let me tell you, the real Strathy experience isn’t about lectures, clubs, or those cursed stairs on Rottenrow. No, it’s about perfecting the fine art of being lonely but in a quirky, endearing way.

Chapter 1: The Lone Library Wanderer

Picture this: it’s 2 a.m. in the Andersonian Library. You’re on level 5, the quiet floor, because you secretly enjoy the oppressive silence. You’ve got a single, half-empty Red Bull, and your laptop’s battery is on 3%—just like your social life. You glance around at the other students, wondering if any of them might be the soulmate you’ll never talk to. Congratulations, you’re now the protagonist of a Netflix coming-of-age movie no one asked for.

Chapter 2: Strath Union and the Roasters Coffee Dilemma

Ah, Strath Union—the promised land of friendship and overpriced lattes. You walk in, fully convinced this is where your social life will finally take off. You grab a coffee from Roasters, the Union’s heart and soul, and attempt to sit at a table. But as you scan the room, you realize every other table is occupied by intense group project meetings or people who’ve clearly been best friends since the womb.

Instead of interrupting what looks like a micro-UN summit, you strategically sit at the corner table by the window, pretending to be busy on your laptop. (Translation: you’re googling “How to make friends at university” while sipping a flat white you can’t afford.) Every so often, someone walks past, and you try to make eye contact, but they’re too busy debating whether to buy a second round of brownies. Meanwhile, your coffee’s gone cold—just like your dreams of social connection.

Bonus points if you spill your drink and make a dramatic exit. Nothing screams “Strathy student experience” like the walk of shame out of the Union while everyone pretends not to notice your damp trousers.

Chapter 3: Society Social Fails

You joined six societies during Freshers’ Week, right? Because this year was going to be different. Yet somehow, you’ve managed to ghost every event like a social Houdini. The one time you did show up to the debating society, you realized halfway through that arguing about parking policies wasn’t quite the existential thrill you were looking for.

Now your inbox is just filled with guilt-inducing emails: “Hi AJ, haven’t seen you in a while! Come to Pub Night!” Sure, Karen, I’ll just totally overcome my introversion for a pint at a bar where no one knows my name.

Chapter 4: The Tesco Night Walks

When the loneliness gets overwhelming, you pull out the big guns: a late-night Tesco trip. You’re not even hungry, but walking the aisles of the St. Enoch branch is your therapy. There’s something oddly comforting about choosing between the value noodles and the fancy ones while a soft instrumental cover of Coldplay’s “Fix You” plays overhead. Bonus points if you accidentally make eye contact with another solo shopper and both of you look away immediately, bonded by mutual shame.

Chapter 5: The Strath Union Mirage

The Strath Union is supposed to be where you “find your people.” Instead, it feels like speed-dating but sadder. You go to one of their events, realize everyone already seems to know someone, and suddenly you’re back in high school standing awkwardly by the punch bowl. Pro tip: always look like you’re texting someone important. “Sorry, can’t talk right now, just arranging a meeting with Tylor Swift.”

Chapter 6: The “Me, Myself, and the M8”

At some point, the loneliness peaks, and you consider your options: 1. Befriend the pigeons at George Square. 2. Take the megabus to literally anywhere else and start fresh. 3. Start a one-person flash mob on Buchanan Street.

But then, a glimmer of hope: you find yourself actually laughing at the absurdity of it all. Like, why does the M8 bisect the city center? Why do seagulls at Strath look like they could bench press you? Why did you buy three candles at Primark when you don’t even like candles? Suddenly, the loneliness feels a bit… manageable.

In conclusion, if you’re a lonely Strath student, just know you’re not alone in your aloneness. We’re all out here wandering the streets of Glasgow, avoiding human interaction and debating if it’s socially acceptable to order Deliveroo three nights in a row. So, let’s embrace the chaos and lean into the vibe of being the city’s most tragic yet comedic character.

P.S. If anyone wants to grab a sad sandwich —or even better, a sad coffee at Roasters—hmu. We can be lonely together.

Hi! I really don’t like the course i’m doing (law) and I am in first year. I would really like to change it in second semester. This is to history (I did advanced higher). However, I am not too sure if this will be allowed. Does anyone have any advice?

can someone explain the fee structure for post graduate at the business school.

hii as an international student living in the accommodations would i get free access to the strathclyde sport facilities? or is it an extra fee?

Hi, I’m an international student coming In January 2025 and had a question about registration. I’m in the process of starting my registration but there are some criteria to complete in order to start your registration. One of the criteria is asking me to upload documents for checking, I’m not gonna need a visa to study at Strathclyde so what type of documents do I need to upload?

Just got my offer for accommodation in Forbes hall. Taking it regardless of responses, but has anyone lived there or been in there? Of course not actually worried about this but the only thing I saw about it online is that it’s “haunted” 😂. Anyone know where it is in relation to campus? Is it often offered to exchange students? Etc. any info would be appreciated, thanks.

Hi, I’m a 3rd year international student coming to Strathclyde in January and wanted to know if there was a deposit to pay after you get approved for accommodation?

I’m a Canadian student coming on exchange in January. I was just applying for student housing and was wondering if there is some sort of student meal plan at the school. When I was in first year here in Canada we were able to purchase a semester long meal plan, and we could swipe our student cards for 3 meals a day. On the Strathclyde website I didn’t see anything like that so just wanted to check with students. If not, is cooking in the common kitchens the main thing people do? Definitely not looking to buy every meal

I am currently looking to move in with a friend and need someone to take over my tenancy at Strathclyde University Accommodations. It’s an all girls flat in the middle of the student village. The room comes with a hand-wash basin and is available to be taken over anytime starting November.

If anyone is interested or knows someone who might be, feel free to send me a message :)

Hi I’ll be starting my MSc program in January. I’m looking to connect with fellow students who are also joining around the same time. If there are any groups or communities for incoming students, please let me know!

Hi, I’m a 3rd year international business major student from the US coming to Strathclyde next semester (Jan 2025) and was wondering if there were any group chats with any other exchange students?

In Merchant studios, 5 mins to Strathclyde uni. Features: En-suite bathroom, private dining space, fully fitted kitchenette.

Price: £255 per week (bills and broadband included), £250 deposit.

Tenancy: One academic year (ASAP - Aug 2025), extension possible.

Requirements: Must be a registered student. Dual-occupancy allowed if both are students.

Contact: Interested? DM me for details and to connect with the accommodation team. Viewing can be arranged .

I am coming to Strathclyde university for jan25 intake. So I am planning to book accommodation now. Is university accommodation is good or else private accommodation. The facilities available between them and price comparison. Which would be best?

Hello, I am an accepted PhD student. I am looking for university accommodation. My start date is on December 1st, if anyone wants someone to take over his/her tendency. Please let me know.

Can anyone recommend a good student accommodation for an international postgrad student near the University? I'm looking for studio in an area that isn't too noisy (construction) and would be near the essential places like the supermarket and pharmacy. My start date is in Jan 2025.

Hi everyone! I’m a politics exchange student in 3rd year, coming in January to study for a semester. I was wondering if anyone had taken any 2nd/3rd year politics classes, and if there were any that stood out as easy. I plan to travel a lot as it’s a rare opportunity for me to do so (from Canada) so I’m hoping to find easier courses. Any suggestions? Thanks.

I applied for MSC advanced computer science Jan2025 intake I got my offer letter accepted it and paid the deposit amount. I haven't received the CAS letter from university side for continuing with the visa process. So anyone who applied for jan intake received the CAS letter. When I will receive it from the university.

I recently applied for an MSc in Business Analysis and Consulting and I'm both excited and a bit anxious about it. My background is not in tech, and I don’t have a strong foundation in math. Given that this is a practical course, I'm curious about a few things:

Course Content: What are the main topics covered in the curriculum? Are there specific areas where a strong analytical or technical background is particularly beneficial?

Difficulty Level: For those who have completed or are currently in the program, how challenging did you find the coursework? Was there anything specific that you found difficult due to a lack of math or technical experience?

Support Resources: Does the program offer any support for students who might struggle with quantitative aspects? Are there tutorials, workshops, or study groups available?

Career Outcomes: For those who have graduated from this program, how has it prepared you for the job market? What kinds of roles are accessible, and do you feel the lack of a tech background has limited your opportunities?

Advice for Success: Any tips on how to succeed in this program without a strong math or tech background?

Any insights or experiences you can share would be immensely helpful as I weigh my options. Thank you in advance for your help!

Hey I am browsing for my exhange university and I really like Strathclyde and the city of Glasglow, however I can only go during semester 2. The key dates for 2026 mention that the assesment period of semester 2 is 5 weeks which is a lot and it conflicts with my home university summer semester which I will be registering for. Does anyone of you know if exams could go until 22 may or if the 22 may date is for replacement exams and others.

I would be applying for Electrical Engineering if that helps.

Thank you!

Hi everyone, as the title says, I was hoping if anyone had an extra guest ticket for the Pure and Applied Chemistry convocation ceremony on Nov 1?

Hi guys, here is the referral code for the student roost accommodations in the UK.

Code: RAF496187

Hi! I am coming to Strathclyde on exchange in January. Any tips on how to find housing as it seems student accommodations on campus are full? Thanks in advance!

I have applied for MSC advanced computer science in university of Strathclyde so my tution fee is 27500 pounds. What is the minimum balance I need to maintain for visa application process including tution fee and living expense. Say the approximate value for my clarification.

Does anyone know how long it will take for my timetable to appear on the website, I applied through clearance? Thanks

Hi guys, here is the referral code for the student roost accommodations in the UK.

Code: RAF496187

Hello everyone, I have been living in Glasgow for almost a year now and I'm supposed to start uni in September. However, I'm an asylum seeker and couldn't get help from the gov/uni to help me with my tuition fees. It would be appreciated if you can direct me to a place which would help me with my case .