The first issue of Glasgow University Magazine (GUM) was published on 5 February 1889, aiming to keep students informed of news and events within the University

University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...

, and to provide an outlet for student writing and illustrations.

It is the oldest continuously published student magazine in Scotland and despite changes in style has continued to document the University's history from the student's point of view, with reports of sporting achievements and debates, short stories and poems, articles and letters giving opinions on the political and moral issues of the day, and photographs of office bearers and medal winners.

GUM provided a start for a number of illustrators, writers and editors who went on to make their marks in the wider world. They included James Bridie

James Bridie

James Bridie was the pseudonym of a Scottish playwright, screenwriter and surgeon whose real name was Osborne Henry Mavor....

, Charles Oakley, and John Buchan, the author of The Thirty-Nine Steps

The Thirty-nine Steps

The Thirty-Nine Steps is an adventure novel by the Scottish author John Buchan. It first appeared as a serial in Blackwood's Magazine in August and September 1915 before being published in book form in October that year by William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh...

, who wrote for GUM in the 1890s.

GUM is a part of and is partially funded by Glasgow University Students' Representative Council

Glasgow University Students' Representative Council

Glasgow University Students' Representative Council was founded on 9th March 1886 and recognised as the legal representative body for students of the University of Glasgow by the Universities Act 1889. The SRC is responsible for representing students' interests to the management of the University...

, although it retains editorial independence

Editorial independence

Editorial independence is the freedom of editors to make decisions without interference from the owners of a publication. Editorial independence is tested, for instance, if a newspaper runs articles that may be unpopular with its advertising clientele....

 from them. It is one of four student media organisations within the SRC, who provide both a service and opportunities to students at the University and to the local community.

The Magazine won three awards in The Herald

The Herald (Glasgow)

The Herald is a broadsheet newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, and available throughout Scotland. As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 47,226, giving it a lead over Scotland's other 'quality' national daily, The Scotsman, published in Edinburgh.The 1889 to 1906 editions...

Scottish Student Press Awards 2006: Best Production, Best Magazine and Student Journalist of the Year for Jenny Munro's fashion writing.

The Magazine also won the award for Best Magazine at the 2008 Herald Scottish Student Press Awards.

Editors

• 2010-2011 Jessie Rodger & Rena Niamh Smith
• 2009-2011 Ellen Murala
• 2008-2009 Franck Martin & Jim Wilson
• 2007-2008 Zoe Grams
• 2006-2007 Kevin McLaughlin
• 2005-2006 Emilly Hill
• 2004-2005 John Donaldson
• 2003-2004 Gordon Kennedy
• 2002-2003 Anna Palmer
• 2001-2002 Cat Jackson
• 2000-2001