Glasgow University named one of the most 'beautiful in Europe'

Glasgow University is said to be one of the most 'beautiful in Europe', according to a recent study.

Looking at universities across Europe, including buildings in Italy, France and Germany, two of the top 10 are in Scotland. And we have to say we agree.

According to the golden ratio, a mathematical ratio, it is theorised that buildings, faces or artworks closest to this ratio are the most well balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

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Keen to utilise this theory further, The Knowledge Academy set out to determine how close university buildings across Europe align with the golden ratio, and therefore which universities are the most beautiful, according to science.

Discussing the result, it was said that the University of St. Andrews ranks in first position for Scotland, and 8th in Europe overall. Mentioning Salvator's Chapel at the University of St Andrews, they say: "The university chapel, founded in 1450 and constructed in the late Gothic architectural style, shares a 74.74% similarity to the golden ratio, making it a beautiful, and ancient, addition to the list."

Taking about our very own University of Glasgow, they say: "Ranking second is the University of Glasgow’s Gilbert Scott Building, named after its designer Sir Gilbert Scott. Not only is the university’s main building home to the iconic tower which has become a landmark of Glasgow, but its 2.03 ratio means it shares a 74.49% similarity with the golden ratio."

In addition to Scottish universities being named, educational institutions in Italy, Romania and France were also listed.

But where did our universities rank? According to the data, Glasgow University came in ninth place whilst St Andrew's came in eight place with a total of 10 universities making the list.

The top 10 most beautiful universities in Europe, according to the golden ratio

	University	Building	Ratio	Percentage similarity to golden ratio
1	University of Bucharest, Romania	Central University Library	1.522058824	94.07%
2	University of Catania, Italy	Main Building	1.787931034	89.50%
3	University of Oxford, England	Radcliffe Camera	1.436602124	88.79%
4	Paris-Sorbonne University, France	Sorbonne Building	1.900149031	82.56%
5	Aarhus University, Denmark	Main Building	1.906551724	82.17%
6	Heidelberg University, Germany	University Library	1.270243902	78.51%
7	Jagiellonian University, Poland	Collegium Novum	1.985	77.32%
8	University of St. Andrews, Scotland	St Salvator's Chapel	1.209318182	74.74%
9	University of Glasgow, Scotland	Gilbert Scott Building	2.030740741	74.49%
10	University of Leuven, Belgium	Arenberg Castle	2.123939394	68.73%

Data was collected 11/04/23 and is accurate as of then, but subject to change. Please find the full dataset here.

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