ESOL
ESOL Part Time and Evening courses Sighthill
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 4
Study mode
Evening
Part time
Start date
Aug 2026
Course enquiry form
Course overview
Applications will open on 8 April 2026.
Edinburgh College is one of the largest providers of English Language courses in Scotland, offering year-round courses. The British Council accredits all College-based ESOL classes for the teaching of English in the UK.
This course will focus on the four skills—speaking, reading, and writing—and on developing your grammar and vocabulary.
For all courses, you will need to spend between £30 and £50 on course books and resources. For information on refunding course fees, please read our Refund Policy.
For more information about ESOL course costs, please visit the ESOL Course Fees page.
At Sighthill, you can study on a part-time course from National 2 to National 4 level or an evening class from National 2 - Advanced level.
The average class size is 18 – 20 with a maximum of 23. You must be aged 16 or older to study ESOL courses in college.
Support for students aged 16 and 17
- All 16 and 17-year-olds are given a 24-hour emergency number.
- Information on ‘Keeping yourself safe in Edinburgh’ is provided at induction. A tutorial system is in place for students to discuss progress or any problems with their teacher.
- Students are supervised in class, on class trips/activities, and during work placements.
- Parental consent is required for class trips and work placements. Outside these hours, there is no supervision of 16 and 17-year-olds.
What you will learn
- This course will help you develop your language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. You will also improve your grammar and vocabulary. The course will prepare you to study different English language courses.
- In the part-time courses, you will work towards achieving Scottish Qualifications Authority [SQA] national certificates in ESOL for Everyday Life and ESOL in Context at your level, National 2 - 4.
- There are no formal qualifications for the evening classes.
- In class, you will work as a whole class, individually, in pairs and in small groups. Your teacher will expect you to participate in all class activities by contributing opinions and ideas and by listening to others. A course book will be used. The syllabus and the list of topics will be the front pages of the course book. In class, you will work in groups, with a partner, or on your own.
- There will also be a self-study workbook, which will be used in class and help you further study and practice at home. Your teacher will suggest suitable online resources for your use and offer advice on working independently.
- You can borrow intermediate readers from the library to help improve your reading. You will learn how to plan your study and use a dictionary and an answer key.
How the course is assessed
- Your teacher will check your progress regularly using course tests and homework.
- The course is internally and externally assessed through the completion of SQA ESOL and core skills Units.
Number of days per week
- Two days for the part-time course.
- Two evenings for the evening course.
Entry requirements
- International students (students from outside the UK without Settled or pre-settled status, excluding asylum seekers, refugees and Humanitarian Protection Status) will need to check visa requirements. Please go to the International section of the website.
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
- You will be invited to a test and interview to assess your language level and suitability for the course.
Progression and Articulation Routes
Students on these courses can progress to:
- The next level of ESOL
- Employment
- If you have completed level 4, you may be able to progress to:
- NQ ESOL for work level 5
- ESOL for Access to care and health professions – level 5
- Computing with ESOL – level 5
- ESOL for Childhood practice – level 5
- English for Work and Training 5
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Evening | 24/08/26 |
| Sighthill Campus | Part time | 24/08/26 |
