Name: Tia Kumar| Institution: The Glasgow School of Art | Location: Glasgow, Scotland | Course: Bachelors of Architecture

Key Highlights

• Tia chose The Glasgow School of Art for its studio-based, creative architecture program and vibrant cultural setting
• She adjusted to UK lifestyle and weather with support from peers and welcoming campus community
• The architecture student loves engaging in hands-on design projects, site visits, and seminars by leading architects
• She has been balancing academics with extracurriculars like equestrian sports, painting, and exploring Glasgow’s creative scene

Tia Kumar’s experience in Glasgow has been fulfilling, offering growth both inside the classroom and out. Renowned for its excellence in visual and creative disciplines, The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) ranks among Europe’s top institutions. Listed in the top 10 specialist schools by The Guardian University Guide, it attracts a diverse student body, with over a third coming from outside the UK. Its faculty engage in international research and teaching collaborations, adding a global dimension to the learning experience.

Tia Kumar

Choosing GSA over other institutions

When Tia decided to pursue a course in architecture from a reputed international university, the options before her were too many. After a careful study of the course, the institutions and their locations, she shortlisted University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Massachusetts, Sarah Lawrence and The Glasgow School of Art.  

All four are among the best institutions in the world. But Tia finally picked The Glasgow School of Art. “I ultimately chose GSA because of its strong and creative architecture program, studio-based learning and importantly, it offered me a chance to study in a culturally rich city,” says Tia Kumar, in a chat with Global Indian. 

Having enrolled in the course in 2024, Tia landed in the UK feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “My first day at GSA was memorable. There were students from all over the world, making GSA diverse and inspiring,” says Tia, who was thrilled to start living independently.

An iconic place of learning

The school is housed in a number of buildings around Renfrew Street in the centre of Glasgow, upon Garnethill, an area in the early 1800s. The most famous of its buildings was designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in phases between 1896 and 1909. The eponymous Mackintosh Building soon became one of the city’s iconic landmarks, of international fame. 

Interestingly, many students remain in Glasgow after graduation because of the unique network of creative people, spaces and organisations and are joined by artists, designers, architects, writers and musicians from around the world who are drawn here by the quality of life and the clear sense of creative opportunity.

Tia Kumar

Adjusting to the new lifestyle and weather

Settling in was easier than Tia expected. “I did miss home food quite a bit in the beginning. The people were welcoming, and over time I adjusted to the new lifestyle and weather,” she says, highlighting that having friends and a supportive school environment made the transition smoother. 

Life as an architecture student

Her daily routine includes studio work, lectures, critiques, and lots of model-making and sketching.  “Model making, studio work, and sketching are time-consuming but incredibly rewarding. They help translate ideas into form and improve how you think, create, and communicate visually,” she says.

As an architecture student, Tia has worked on multiple design projects that involved site visits, model building, and drawing. “We also attended lectures and seminars by leading architects, which were very insightful. These events provided exposure to real-world architectural practices,” says the GSA student. Her institution had earned the eighth spot in the 2019 QS World Rankings for Art and Design and claimed second position in the national ranking 2016 of the Complete University Guide league table for Art and Design.

One of Tia’s projects involved refurbishing a broken-down building into a sustainable space for a maker, focusing on work-life balance and Climavore practices. “Another explored atmosphere through light and ventilation, helping me connect design with emotion and memory,” says Tia, who regularly attends exhibitions and critiques happening on the campus. “Overall, I’m quite happy with the experience.”

Several renowned painters, writers, film directors, architects, photographers and designers across the world have pursued courses at GSA.

Tia with her friend

A knack for sustainable architecture

Tia’s interest in architecture began when she was a child. “I used to look at tall buildings and wonder how they were made. That curiosity slowly turned into a passion for creating meaningful spaces.”

After completion of her four year course, Tia hopes to become an architect who specialises in sustainable design. “I want to focus on creating buildings that are environmentally responsible and rooted in the local context. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to the future of sustainable architecture,” she says of her future plans.

Life outside academics

Tia is a member of the GSA’s equestrian program and other sports like swimming, table tennis and volleyball. “It’s a great way to stay active and unwind outside of academics. It also helps me balance my creative and physical energy,” she says.

On weekends, she enjoys painting, sketching, and sculpting or gets engrossed in anything else that’s creative. Exploring new restaurants and spending time in nature are also things I love doing during my downtime,” says the architecture student. 

A journey of personal and professional growth

Tia’s parents, Chaitanya Kumar and Neeta Kumar have been supportive of her every decision from the beginning. “They’ve always believed that living abroad and studying independently would help me grow personally and professionally. Their encouragement made the transition much smoother for me,” she mentions.

The youngster’s time at GSA is more than just an academic pursuit. It’s a journey of self-discovery, creative evolution, and building a future in sustainable design.