Free General English Courses for New Scots

Guidance on how displaced people can take up the opportunity to take General English courses for free.

The Centre for Open Learning offers displaced persons the opportunity to take General English courses for free. 

These free places are available only to displaced people in Scotland who have arrived from an area of instability or a zone of conflict and have refugee status, or indefinite leave to remain, are asylum seekers, or under humanitarian protection. 

This includes people from Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Hong Kong. If you do not meet this criterion, please do not apply.

We have the following free courses on offer:

  • General English 

          - one ten-week course for absolute beginners, in the mornings

          - We offer one course for absolute beginners and two courses for post-beginners, all three in the mornings. 

  • English for University study - 10 week course

Our Term 2 starts on Monday 19 January 2026 and runs for 10 weeks.

We offer one course for absolute beginners and two courses for post-beginners, all three in the mornings. 

These three courses are exclusively for New Scots (displaced persons). The courses meet twice a week. Here are the details:

  • English Beginners for New Scots A1.1 – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10 – 13:00 (starting on Tuesday 20 January 2026)
  • English post-Beginners for New Scots A1.2 – Mondays and Wednesday, 14:10 to 16:00 (starting on 19 January 2026)
  • English post-Beginners for New Scots A1.2 – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10 to 13:00 (starting on Tuesday 20 January 2026)

We also offer a course at Intermediate level (CEFR B1) in the evening, meeting once a week.

This course is available for the wider public here, and we have places reserved for New Scots. The course details are as follows:

General English Intermediate Step 2 (CEFR B1) – Tuesdays, 17:30-19:00 (starting on Tuesday 20 January 2026)

Please note that in the evening classes listed above, learners with displaced backgrounds will learn together with learners from different backgrounds from the local community.

Do you want to sign up?

If you would like to join one of our courses, please, complete these 3 steps:

  1. Complete our self-assessment for General English by following this link here >

Please note - it is very important that you answer honestly so we can identify your level of English and you can benefit from the most suitable course.

  1. Write down your current level
     
  2. Complete a short form to register for a free place here >
     
  • Before you can complete the registration form, please, remember to do your self-assessment here >
  • Registration for free places will be open from 12 December and closes when all places have been allocated.
  • If you have any questions about our English courses for New Scots beforehand, please, contact the Course Coordinator Laura Nicolo (languagesforall-english@ed.ac.uk).

Please be aware of the following:

  • You must be aged 16 years or over.
  • Please, complete the form only once.
  • This form is for one individual person to apply.
  • We can only offer a place to the person named on the form.
  • Placements will be given on a first come, first served basis.
  • We will email you to confirm your registration.

If you have any further questions about the courses, please, contact Laura Nicolo at languagesforall-english@ed.ac.uk.

We look forward to welcoming you to our English courses.


This short English for University Study course is aimed at people who wish to improve their academic language and literacies in preparation for study at university in English speaking contexts. 

Over ten weekly classes, you will explore academic language, cultures, and digital learning technology. Course content will be transferable to your area of interest so that the skills you learn can be applied to topics that interest you. 

Designed specifically for people from displaced backgrounds, this course aims to provide you with better understanding of the expectations of higher education, the process of applying for a Pre-sessional English language programme or for a university programme.

Course Dates and Fees

  • Course will start w/c 20th January 2025 and end w/c 31st March 2025
  • Please note that w/c 10th February is a mid-term break
  • The course will take place on Wednesdays 11:00 - 13:00 (2 hours x 10 weeks)
  • This course is FREE for people of displaced backgrounds


Visit English for University Study webpage for full details and information on how to apply 

Please note that this course is now full and applications are closed.


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