Which Famous People Went To The University Of Glasgow?
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - DECEMBER 04: Emilie Sande attends day two of Jingle Bell Ball at O2 Arena on December 4, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Eamonn McCormack/WireImage)

The University Of Glasgow's Most Famous Alumni

Vincent Ralph March 10, 2023

The University of Glasgow has produced some very famous names down the years, as ambitious teenagers ultimately excelled in their chosen careers. So which famous people have attended the University of Glasgow? From political leaders to Hollywood superstars, the uni has seen them all, long before those dreams came true.

First up is Nicola Sturgeon, who recently stepped down as the First Minister of Scotland. Sturgeon has been the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2014 and has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999. She studied law at the University of Glasgow and graduated with a degree in 1992. During her time at the university, Sturgeon was an active member of the SNP and was involved in campaigns for Scottish independence.

Sturgeon’s political career has been impressive, to say the least. She has been instrumental in the push for Scottish independence and has gained a reputation for being a strong and decisive leader. In 2021, she was named as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.

From politics to pop, Emeli Sande is a Scottish singer-songwriter who has become a global sensation. Born in Sunderland to a Zambian father and an English mother, Sande moved to Scotland at the age of four. She studied medicine at the University of Glasgow but dropped out to pursue her passion for music. Sande’s debut album, Our Version of Events, was released in 2012 and became the best-selling album in the UK that year.

Sande has won numerous awards for her music, including four Brit Awards and an Ivor Novello Award. She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Jay-Z. In 2021, she was awarded an MBE for her services to music.

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Movie And TV Stars Studied At Glasgow

Gerard Butler is a Scottish actor who has appeared in numerous films over the years. When it comes to famous alumni, he is certainly near the top given his success across the pond. Born in Paisley, Butler studied law at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to pursue an acting career. He landed his first film role in 1997 in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. However, it wasn’t until the release of the movie 300 in 2006 that Butler became a household name.

Since then, Butler has appeared in a string of successful films, including The Phantom of the Opera, Olympus Has Fallen, and How to Train Your Dragon. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense action star, Butler is your man.

Susan Calman is a Scottish comedian, actor, and writer who has become a well-known figure on British television. Born in Glasgow, Calman studied law at the University of Glasgow and practiced as a lawyer for several years before pursuing a career in comedy. She has appeared on numerous panel shows, including QI and Have I Got News For You, and has written several books. She was a recent participant on Strictly Come Dancing, partnering with Kevin Clifton and winning a new legion of fans in the process.

Calman is known for her quick wit and infectious personality. She has been praised for her work in raising awareness of mental health issues and has been an advocate for LGBT rights. In 2021, she was awarded an OBE for her services to entertainment and charity.

Mhairi Black is a Scottish politician who made history in 2015 by becoming the youngest MP elected to the UK parliament since 1832. Born in Paisley, Black studied politics at the University of Glasgow and became involved in politics during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014. She was elected as the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South in 2015 and has been a vocal advocate for social justice.

Her impassioned speeches in parliament regularly go viral on social media and Black is expected to be a big-hitter in politics for many years to come.

Related: Which Famous People Studied At The University Of Birmingham

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Vincent Ralph is Senior Managing Editor at GRV Media. He graduated with a BA (Hons) in English Literature from the University of Greenwich and later completed his NCTJ in Newspaper and Magazine Journalism while studying in Cornwall. He was previously Head of Sixth Form at a secondary school in Kent, where he worked with hundreds of 16 to 19-year-olds over eight years. He joined GRV Media in 2014, working his way up from football writer to a senior member of staff. After two years as Managing Editor of Rousing The Kop and The Boot Room he became Senior Managing Editor of new student website Freshered. Vincent is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and his second novel is also a USA Today bestseller and the winner of the Southern Schools Book Award.