Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh
The Centre for Open Learning offers General English courses (ESOL) for adult learners (16+ years). These are delivered in person on of the University of Edinburgh.
Please, note, we do not offer literacy courses
The Academic year is divided into three terms of ten weeks each:
- Term 1: starts Mon, 29 September 2025
- Term 2: starts Mon, 19 January 2026
- Term 3: starts Mon, 13 April 2026.
Course programme
English Beginners for New Scots
These courses for absolute beginners are taught over two terms (A1.1 and A1.2). They are reserved for New Scots, 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. The courses are free of charge. Learners meet twice a week for 2 hours, from 11am to 1pm.
Intermediate and Upper Intermediate
These courses progress from one term to the next (Step 1, 2, …) and are for a mixed audience. They are open to the general public for a fee, with free places reserved for New Scots. New Scots will learn and interact with learners from a variety of international backgrounds. Learners meet once a week for 90 minutes, from 5.30pm to 7pm
Term 1
- English Beginners for New Scots A1.1 (Tue & Thu)
- Intermediate (Tue)
- Upper Intermediate (Wed).
Term 2
- English Beginners for New Scots A1.1 (Tue & Thu)
- English Beginners for New Scots A1.2 (Tue & Thu)
- Intermediate (Tue)
- Upper Intermediate (Wed).
Term 3
- English Beginners for New Scots A1.2 (Tue & Thu)
- Intermediate (Tue)
- Upper Intermediate (Thu).
Registration
Registration is open from 6 weeks to 2 weeks before the start of each term.
To find out the most suitable course for your current skills before registering, please, .
For more information and to register, please, visit our website (link to be added ASAP).
For more information and to register, please, .
Contact details
If you have any questions, please, contact
- Laura Nicolo Duenas, Course Coordinator for General English (languagesforall-english@ed.ac.uk)
- Jeannette Rissmann, Head of Languages for All (jeannette.rissmann@ed.ac.uk)
.