About Us
Commercial Services is made up of five key areas: Catering & Events, Print, Accommodation, The UofG Shop and the University Nursery.
UofG Shop
I really am delighted to lead the brilliant retail team here at the University. Together, we operate the fantastic University Gift Shop, the Art Gallery Shop, and the Campus Bookshop. We also manage the Gift Shop online website, which is continually evolving and extends our reach globally for all your branded merchandise, apparel, and clothing needs.
With our passion for great service, we are very focused on continually developing our ranges and choices to improve the student and visitor experience alike, with a strong focus on the University's heritage, working closely with local suppliers and producers. So whether it’s hoodies, textbooks, stationery, a university-branded bath duck, graduation gifts, or our newly launched University 1451 Gin, we have you covered. Let’s not forget that for all colleges and departments, we also provide a bespoke service for all your apparel, clothing, and merchandising needs, with discounts from our University-approved list of suppliers.
I am very proud to also add that we offer student discounts in all our shops, with all profits invested directly back into the University. So helping us helps you, as well as all students and staff, as we continually strive to improve our student and visitor experience.
With a strong passion for delivering great service, developing teams, and ensuring everyone feels valued, I'm particularly keen that we have a fun and inspiring environment within our retail shops.
We look forward to your next visit, and all customers and visitors can be sure of experiencing our famous, friendly Glasgow welcome.
Glaschu Fàilte
Kenny McDonald
Head of Retail, GU Heritage Retail Ltd
Catering & Events
The Catering Team at the University of Glasgow is dedicated to delivering high-quality food and hospitality services across campus. As part of Commercial Services, the team supports a wide range of activities, from daily dining in cafés and restaurants to large-scale events, conferences, and private functions.
With a strong focus on fresh ingredients, sustainability, and customer satisfaction, the team offers diverse menus that cater to a variety of dietary needs and preferences. They work closely with local suppliers to ensure quality and reduce environmental impact, while continually innovating to enhance the dining experience.
The team also plays a key role in creating welcoming social spaces for students, staff, and visitors, contributing to the vibrant campus community. Whether providing quick meals, formal catering, or bespoke event services, the Catering Team combines professionalism with a commitment to excellence.
Print Unit
At the University of Glasgow, the Print Unit brings ideas to life through high-quality print and design. Supporting staff, students, and the wider University community, the team combines technical expertise with a strong understanding of the fast-paced academic environment to deliver reliable, tailored solutions.
From eye-catching promotional materials to essential academic print, the service covers every stage of the process—offering guidance, creative input, and precision production. With a background spanning lithographic printing, prepress, and graphic design, the team ensures every project is handled with skill, care, and attention to detail.
Using modern print technologies and a customer-first approach, the Print Unit continually evolves to meet changing needs. Collaboration sits at the heart of the service, with a focus on innovation, flexibility, and delivering results that make an impact.
Whether it’s a simple request or a complex project, the Print Unit is committed to producing work of the highest standard while enhancing the overall experience for its customers across the University.
Find out more
Accommodation Services
The Accommodation Services team is committed and passionate about providing students living within the University residences a home away from home, with 24/7 access to university support.
We believe that the role of the University is to support all aspects of the student journey, with accommodation being a key touchpoint in the life of a student, and that student accommodation is more than a bed—it’s a home, a safe haven, and a supportive community contributing to a student’s experience.
We house over 5,500 students, both within the UofG portfolio and in purpose-built student accommodation. The University residences are well located, providing easy access to campus for teaching at Gilmorehill, Garscube, and Dumfries, helping the student population feel connected to the University and their peers.
We offer a range of affordable room types, from ensuite rooms and standard rooms with shared facilities to studios and family flats.
Students within the residences are provided with direct access to services offered by the Residences team, dedicated accommodation security teams, and Student Support Services to support safety, wellbeing, and community building.
The Residences team and I recognize that, for many of our students, this will be their first independent home. We understand that this can sometimes be stressful, and we endeavour to always make this transition easier, with teams available to listen to your concerns and provide support and signposting where needed.
Your safety, comfort, and experience are our priority, and we are committed to supporting your academic success and ensuring your time with us is the best it can be!
Ashley Gibbons
Head of Accommodation Services
University Nursery
The University of Glasgow Nursery is based on campus at Hillhead Street and is open to all current staff and students. The Nursery has 74 places on a full-time or part-time basis, and strives to provide support to parents and to care for your child during their time at the Nursery, providing a warm, safe and friendly environment for them to grow and develop under the watchful eye of our vastly experienced and trained staff.
The Nursery itself is run by Childcare Scotland Properties Ltd and the University Allocations Team, which is part of Commercial Services, works closely with the Nursery on a daily basis ensuring the smooth running of the Nursery and managing any operational issues that may arise. We also manage all aspects of the application and allocation process, from securing a place at the Nursery to dealing with all contractual matters related to the Nursery.
Gillian Stevenson
Nursery Allocations Manager
Sustainability at Commercial Services
