Beyond School

Courses in FE/HE institutions and cultural organisations in Scotland and UK provision via UCAS.

Language learning opportunities

Scotland's Universities and Colleges: Quick Reference Guide

This list provides a quick snapshot of undergraduate courses available in Scottish Higher Educational Institutions and Scotland's colleges. More detailed information can be found under the UK Universities tab via the The Guardian University Guide for Modern Languages and Linguistics and UCAS links.

Scottish Universities

Select any of the universities below for more information.

Combined and joint degrees

  • View a wide range of combined options on each language degree course page

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

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Combined and joint degrees

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Other Language Related Options

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Services to/events for schools

Combined and joint degrees

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Combined and joint degrees

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

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Other Language Related Options

  • Language modules – options available for students combining a language with another subject (French, German, Italian and Spanish)

Services to/events for schools

Combined and joint degrees

  • View a wide range of combined options on each language degree course page
  • Comparative literature (option to study Catalan, Chinese, Czech, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish as a subject)

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

n/a

Combined and joint degrees

Other Language Related Options

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Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

Applied languages allows students to 'major' in a language whilst studying a range of complimentary subjects:

Other Language Related Options

Specialist language degrees

  • Language Studies (allows students to study up to two modern languages plus additional beginner language options)

Combined and joint degrees

n/a

Other Language Related Options

  • Languages at the OU (full range of courses and single language modules at various levels)
  • Free OpenLearn (beginner or refresher language courses in French, Gaelic, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese and Welsh)

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

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Combined and joint degrees

n/a

Other Language Related Options

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Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

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Combined and joint degrees

n/a

Other Language Related Options

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Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

Single honours, with or without a year abroad, available in:

Combined and joint degrees

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

Combined and joint degrees

  • Modern Languages (French and Spanish combined with one of eight other subjects -most of these degree combinations include a period of study abroad)

Other Language Related Options

n/a

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

Combined and joint degrees

Other Language Related Options

Services to/events for schools

Specialist language degrees

n/a

Combined and joint degrees

  • Languages & study abroad - students can study French, German or Spanish as an option on most of the undergraduate degree programmes

Other Language Related Options

  • Languages for All - day and evening classes in Arabic, French, Gaelic, German, Mandarin or Spanish for students, staff and the public
  • Languages for Business - courses in Arabic, French, Gaelic, German, Mandarin, Spanish or English as a second language for employees

Services to/events for schools

Scottish Colleges

SQA offers a comprehensive suite of Higher National and National Language Units and many of these are currently on offer in Scotland's colleges. There are 26 Colleges of Further Education in Scotland and the following colleges have entries for Language Units for 2019-2020 and/or a range of part-time, leisure and short language courses.

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Part-time, leisure and short courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Part-time, leisure and short courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

To find out more about Modern Languages at Edinburgh College see the 2019/20 Prospectus and check the Modern Languages and Travel and Tourism sections or follow the links below:

Part-time, leisure and short courses

A range of language classes at different levels can be accessed on the college's Modern Languages webpage or via the 2019/20 prospectus above, including British Sign Language, French, Gaelic, German, Italian and Spanish as well as Spanish DELE preparation.

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Part-time, leisure and short courses

  • A range of language classes at different levels can be accessed via the 2019/20 languages course page, including British Sign Language, French, Italian and Spanish.

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Part-time, leisure and short courses

  • A range of language classes at different levels can be accessed via the languages course page, including British Sign Language, French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish

Full-time, access and vocational courses

Full-time, access and vocational courses

UK-wide and Europe links

The following are a selection of articles and publications offering information and advice to those thinking of studying languages in the UK or in Europe.

For information on language degrees at all UK universities (language specialist degrees and languages as part of a joint or combined degree), please visit the UCAS website:

  • Go to course search
  • Search by subject
  • Select a language
  • Once you have selected the language then you will see, listed by UK University, all the combinations available
  • Click on a course for further information, including entry requirements (Scottish Qualifications)

There's also video advice and a UCAS application guide (for 2019 entry), aimed at parents, about the UCAS application process, including key dates and deadlines.

Visit Website

The Guardian University Guide for Modern Languages and Linguistics 2020 is aimed at helping students in the UK and abroad find the right university course. Consult how to use the Guardian University Guide 2020 and get the most out of your course search. (Please note the interactive guide may not function if viewing with Internet Explorer. We recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox).

Visit Website

This supplement is aimed at parents to help them guide their child in making the right university choice for them and to get the most out of their time there.

Visit Website

University profiles, subject league tables, course information and open days can all be found on this site, along with information about clearing.

Visit Website

Universities Scotland guide to help university applicants, teachers, guidance staff, parents, guardians and anyone interested in university admissions.

Visit Website

Visit the NICILT website for information on undergraduate language study options at universities in Northern Ireland.

Visit Website

Since 2015, UCAS has been including and processing applications to European universities in the admissions process. Check out the Study in Europe website which helps you make informed decisions about your studies in Europe with their unique database. Stay organised and compare all accredited programs by tuition fees, language, financial assistance, place and institution.

Visit Website

Other language learning opportunities

University of Strathclyde

The Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at the University of Strathclyde offers opportunities to study modern languages as part of its day, evening and summer short course programmes. The languages offered vary from year to year. Languages currently on offer include Arabic, British Sign Language, Chinese (Mandarin), French, Gaelic, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. Many of the language programmes commence in October and last for 20 or 22 weeks with some classes commencing in January  and June/July. Classes are offered in the evening and/or at weekend. Most languages offer the opportunity to study towards university credit. A wide range of other subjects are also available.

CLL is located on 7th Floor, Graham Hills Building, 40 George Street, University of Strathclyde. For more information, contact 0141 548 5778 or visit  the CLL website.

University of Strathclyde also offer undergraduate degrees in languages (more information) and PGDE course for language teachers (more information).

DELE

The University is a centre for the examination in the Spanish Government’s official Diploma in Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE - Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera). The exams are the official accreditation for the degree of fluency of the Spanish exams. They’re issued and recognised by the Ministry of Education, Culture & Sport of Spain and are organised by Instituto Cervantes and the University of Salamanca. New online preparation courses for the DELE exams are available and are aimed at prospective candidates for the DELE exams.

University of Glasgow

The Centre for Open Studies at the University of Glasgow offers courses in 15 languages at levels ranging from beginner to advanced. Languages on offer are: Arabic, Chinese ( Mandarin), Danish, Dutch, French, Gaelic, German, Japanese, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. The classes are designed to enable participants to speak the language they are learning. As part of normal classroom teaching, students will practise speaking the language in pairs or small groups and will also be given the option of doing written homework between classes. All of the courses can contribute credit to the Certificate in Higher Education.

All language courses are worth 10 credits and students achieve the credits when, through normal classroom activities (not through an examination) they demonstrate a minimum level of competence expected for their particular course. Students who first enter the language programme at Stages 2, 3 or 4 and successfully complete the course will be eligible to receive credit for the lower level courses as well; e.g. a student who joins and successfully completes a Stage 2 German class would on request be credited with 20 credits.

Unless otherwise stated all courses run for two hours per week over 20 weeks. Term 1 begins on the first Monday in October. There is also a Spring/Summer languages programme. 

Goethe Institut Glasgow - Learn German

Learn German with the Goethe Institut for everyday life, personal interest, your job or for university studies. They offer:

  • highly qualified teachers
  • state-of-the-art teaching methods
  • intensive consultation and support
  • a system of course levels applied around the world
  • examinations recognised around the world

More information

Alliance Française de Glasgow - Learn French

The Alliance Française de Glasgow is the official French government’s Language and Cultural centre for Glasgow and the West of Scotland. The Alliance Française de Glasgow is proud to welcome up to 500 students during each term, who all learn French through our communicative approach.

All our teachers are native speakers and are trained to teach French as a Foreign Language. Every new student who is not a complete beginner is assessed before enrolling (a free and friendly meeting with a teacher), in order to establish their level so that they are assigned to the right class.

More information

DELF/DALF

The Alliance Française is an official examination centre which gives you the opportunity to obtain the official French diplomas awarded by the French authorities and recognized internationally.

More information

Yakety Yak Language Cafés

Originating in Edinburgh in 2010, Yakety Yak's Language Cafés have now been launched in Glasgow.

The Cafés offer people the chance to practise their conversational language skills in a relaxed atmosphere. Sessions are currently available in French, German, Italian and Spanish.

Check the Yakety Yak Glasgow programme for further information.

The Language Hub

The Language Hub C.I.C. is a non for profit organisation based in Glasgow’s west end. The hub teaches foreign languages to children and adults, provides bilingual support, runs cultural and literacy events and operates a foreign language children’s bookshop on site. We believe everyone can learn a foreign language, irrespective of their age or their academic abilities. Our language courses, for all levels, focus on communication and are very much play based. We aim to provide a maximum of opportunities to practise individual skills in the class room. This gives learners the confidence to use their foreign language skills in real-life situations outside the classroom.

Languages available include English, Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Arabic, German, Dutch, Russian, Hungarian, Urdu, Gaelic

For more information, please visit our website, give us a call on: 0141 258 2700 or send us an e-mail.

Language Within

Conveniently located in the heart of Glasgow's city centre, Language Within offers full immersion courses for kids, teens and adults of all levels.

You can learn:

  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • Gaelic
  • French
  • English

Join our native speaking teachers and be part of the conversation.

Activities and events are also available throughout the year.

For more information visit Language Within

Live Language, Glasgow

Live Language provides different levels for group and private courses for the following languages:

  • Spanish
  • Italian
  • French
  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Polish
  • Portuguese
  • Arabic
  • German
  • Swedish
  • Norwegian
  • Dutch
  • Russian
  • Ukrainian
  • Hungarian

Live Language language courses.

Lexus for Languages

Learn Chinese in Glasgow. Are you curious about the world’s most spoken language? Would you like to get to know some basic Chinese? Well, the Lexus course is designed for this. We will introduce you to speaking and understanding Chinese. The course will focus on the spoken language.

More information

University of Edinburgh

The Centre for Open Learning offers courses in 23 languages to all adult learners from 16 years old.

Courses are 20 hours over 10 weeks from September to December, January to March and April to June and over 4 weeks in July and in August.

Language offered: Arabic, BSL, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, Gaelic, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Modern Greek, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Turkish and Welsh.

Find out more about the languages and levels on offer via our website.

Institut français d'Écosse - Learn French

Institut français d'Écosse offer a large range of courses:

  • Adult classes
  • Kids & teens classes
  • Private tuition
  • Corporate classes
  • Online courses
  • International French Diploma DELF/DALF
  • International French tests TEF & TCF

More information

DELF/DALF

The Institut français d’Écosse is an official exam centre for DELF and DALF, official diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education to certify foreign candidates’ proficiency in French.

More information 

Edinburgh College

Edinburgh College offers a range of courses in French, Gaelic, German, Italian and Spanish. Whether you’re a beginner or a more advanced learner wishing to gain a qualification in modern languages, there's a course suitable for you. Qualifications range from the new National 2s up to Advanced Higher level. They also offer a range of the Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language (DELE) as well as their Institute of Linguistics Diploma in Public Service Interpreting (DPSI) part-time course.

The college offers a range of delivery times and modes for their modern language classes to suit different lifestyles. These can be as part-time day, evening or flexible open learning. Full details of the courses available can be found on the course programme link below:

Edinburgh College - Modern Languages 2018/19 

Yakety Yak Language Cafés

Improve or maintain your foreign language conversation in local cafés around Edinburgh in small groups with an experienced native tutor. We offer French, Spanish, Italian, German, Norwegian, Mandarin, Russian, Portuguese, Gaelic, Japanese and Greek.

Visit the Yakety Yak website for more information.

SALT Edinburgh

SALT (Spanish Academy Language & Translation) is the first centre dedicated exclusively to the teaching of Spanish courses in Edinburgh. SALT’s team also have a wide range of additional knowledge in film and media, translation, interpretation as well as examinations which they incorporate into the services provided.

Visit the SALT Edinburgh website for more information.

University of Dundee

Language courses by distance learning from the School of Humanities. These courses are delivered over the internet, using Blackboard, the University of Dundee “virtual learning environment”.

Intensive Courses - Our 25 week Intensive Courses are intended for those wishing to jump-start a language.

Revision Courses - If you already have some knowledge of a language (e.g. a rusty Higher) then our 10 week Revision Courses are for you.

Graduate Diploma Courses - These aim to provide the challenge of an undergraduate curriculum in the relevant practical language, they carry a rating of 120 SCOTCAT points (SCQF Levels 9-10).

Please visit University of Dundee website for more information.

The university also provides their Languages for All programme, which offers everyone the opportunity to learn a language, whether for personal or professional reasons.

Classes are taught in the evening and you can choose from a wide range of languages, many of which are available at different levels.

The emphasis in their language classes is on:

  • fostering communicative competence
  • linguistic knowledge
  • intercultural awareness

Tayside Language Centre

Tayside Language Centre offer courses in a wide range of languages at all levels, from beginners to advanced, including Saturday clubs for children as well as tailor-made courses for businesses and refresher courses for Primary teachers.

More information - Tayside Language Centre

University of Aberdeen

The Language Centre has a 35-year history of providing Language Training and support for students, staff and the wider community.

The Centre's evening course programme in Modern Foreign Languages is designed for anyone interested in learning a new language or improving existing language skills. The courses are open to University of Aberdeen staff, students and the general public.

Bespoke, tailored courses can also be offered for businesses and organisations to meet their specific needs.

Languages offered are:

  • Arabic
  • English
  • French
  • German
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Portuguese
  • Russian
  • Spanish

The Open University

The Open University offers a range of Languages courses from beginners’ to advanced level in French, German and Spanish, beginners' and intermediate courses in Italian, and beginners' courses in Chinese and Welsh. The OU also offers courses in English for Academic Purposes online and in Professional Communication Skills for Business Studies.

Whether you’re a complete beginner, want to brush up existing skills, or are looking for a degree in languages, the OU can provide a flexible, step-by-step way of achieving your learning goals in a way that allows you to fit round other commitments in your life with the support of a personal tutor. You’ll develop proficiency in all four skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Some OU language courses also offer a week at a residential school in a country where the language is spoken. 

For further details visit the OU website. 

Free online language resources

The Open University also offers a wide range of free online resources in languages which could be useful to language learners and teachers. 

Future Learn (MOOCs)

Future Learn provides a portal for educational institutions around the world to host their online MOOCs. A Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is an interactive step-by-step course aimed at reaching an unlimited number of participants worldwide to create a community of lifelong learners. The courses are free and generally last between 4-6 weeks.

Future Learn currently offers a variety of language-related MOOCs as follows:

Other courses are available for those who are interested in discovering more about the cultural aspects of a particular country such as Japan for example. Options can also be found for those with an interest in linguistics, translation and language teaching.

University of Glasgow and Islamic University of Gaza

Online Arabic from Palestine for beginners

The course will be of interest to anyone wanting to learn, or promote the learning of, Modern Standard Arabic with a Palestinian ‘flavour’ for work, to communicate with Arabic speaking ‘new Scots’, or simply for the pleasure of learning such an important language.

More information

eSgoil

Comhairle nan Eilean’s eSgoil is offering National 5 and Higher Gaelic (Learners) via computer - these will be open to school pupils and adult learners anywhere. All you need is a computer with internet access.

Get in touch with Angus MacLennan or Catriona Currie at esgoil@gnes.net

High Five French

Learn French with Emma and Mathilde. Aimed at primary learners. The resources in this playlist are samples from the full Radio Lingua course.

Language for Work

European Council for Modern Languages website with advice and information to support work-related second language development, particularly the linguistic integration of adult migrants.

Chatterbox

Online and in person language tuition delivered by highly skilled refugees from academic, professional, and industrial backgrounds.

TLC Pack

The project pack, originally developed primary for use by migrant workers entering different parts of the care sector, can still be used for teaching and learning English or German, Italian, Spanish, Greek or Dutch in a range of contexts.

Berlitz Publishing - Languages

A wide range of phrase books, language-learning courses, dictionaries, kids' language products, travel guides and maps, whatever the language you want to learn or destination you want to visit.

Language Learning Skills

Useful tips for language learning. From the University of Birmingham.

busuu - Learn languages for free online

Learn languages online with interactive language courses and lessons - join the community for free.

Study abroad - Europe

Website listing volunteering, studying, teaching & interning programmes across Europe, with ratings/reviews and more.

iTunes Education Apps

Browse the iTunes store for apps to help you with your language learning.

The Michel Thomas Method - The Natural Way to Learn a New Language

Audio learning technique. Languages include French, German and Spanish.

Rosetta Stone - Learn a Language Online

Rosetta Stone aimes to make learning a new language second nature through their software products.

BBC Languages

Learn languages in your own time and have fun. Languages include French, German, Spanish and Chinese amongst others.

Better @ Languages (BBC Languages)

Whether you've just started or you're an old hand at language learning, get advice on making the most of your strengths and overcoming your weaknesses.

Gaelic courses

The Learn Gaelic website has compiled a list of Gaelic courses available throughout Scotland.

University of Strathclyde Education Scotland British Council Scotland The Scottish Government
SCILT - Scotlands National centre for Languages