This work describes the preparation of lanthanide-doped glasses and examines the performance potential of these glasses as UV detectors. All presently available UV detection systems are extremely expensive and most are unstable to some degree. A number of the lanthanides fluoresce within the spectral response region of commercial photomultiplier tubes and glass is a suitable material for use in vacuum systems. Rare earth ions are readily incorporated into a glass matrix and the manufacturing costs of such detectors could be comparatively low. The lanthanides were prepared in two types of glass matrices i.e. borate and silicate systems.The borate is of interest as the composition used has not been reported in the available literature.The silicate matrix used is a well established commercial composition. The prepared glasses were characterised using a range of techniques including X-ray diffraction,infrared spectroscopy,absorbance and luminescence measurements. Measurements on the glasses in the UV region 200-300nm were made using a normal incidence monochromator and a deuterium lamp source. Studies were undertaken of the comparative responses from the doped glasses and other detector systems.In particular, comparison was made with sodium salicylate-a phosphor commonly used in XUV/VUV detection systems- as well as with plastic scintillators. Glass absorbs strongly in the UV and the possibility of energy transfer from the host glasses to the dopant ions is discussed. The 4f electron behaviour of the lanthanides is cited with the view to explaining the effects observed. Further possible developments of the project are discussed.