Information and advice
Here are some useful links and contacts for further information and advice regarding educational opportunities and resources, including careers advice and guidance, in the Fife and Tayside area.
Scotland's Colleges and higher education institutions
| Institution | Telephone | Childcare provision |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Smith College | 0800 413280 | 2 to 5 years (Kirkcaldy campus) |
| Angus College | 01241 432600 | 2½ to 5 years |
| Carnegie College | 0844 2480115 | |
| Dundee College | 01382 834800 | |
| Elmwood College | 01334 658800 | Birth to 5 years |
| The Open University in Scotland | 0131 2263851 | |
| Perth College | 01738 877000 | 1 to 5 years |
| University of Abertay Dundee | 01382 308000 | |
| University of Dundee | 01382 383000 | 2 to 5 years |
| University of St Andrews | 01334 476161 |
Childcare information
Some colleges and universities provide childcare facilities on campus; others use an affiliated nursery on campus or have an arrangement with a local nursery. It is important that you check with the institution to find out exactly what they can offer and whether any financial support might be available to you to meet the costs. Places are often limited, so it is advisable to apply early.
For further information on registered childcare in your area, visit the Scottish Childcare website.
Adam Smith College, Fife (Glenrothes Campus) and Dundee College do not have childcare facilities on campus, but they still may be able to provide some financial help towards registered childcare elsewhere including both nurseries and childminders. Dundee College has a Childcare Officer who can advise on nursery provision in the area. Carnegie College help students to find childcare.
The University of Abertay Dundee and the University of St Andrews do not offer childcare provision but still may be able to provide some financial help towards costs for registered childcare off campus.
Learning in the community
There are many opportunities to learn within your local community. You could contact your local council or ask your local community learning centre about the range of classes they offer. Click here for contact details of your local council.
Your local library is a good place to find out about learning opportunities in your community. To find your nearest library or learning centre contact your local council, or visit the Scottish Library and Information Resources website.
Careers Scotland Centres
Careers Scotland is a national careers service with over 75 centres across the country, all based in the local community. Staff at the centres can help you explore job, education and training options and provide you with access to a full range of careers and occupational information. You don't need to make an appointment to visit your local centre, you can just call in. Telephone 0845 8502502.
National organisations
Learndirect Scotland has a searchable database of thousands of learning opportunities available within your local area and throughout Scotland. It also has information and advice about learning opportunities, funding and childcare options. To speak to an adviser call Freephone 0800 1009000.
The Workers' Educational Association, Scotland (WEA Scotland) is a national provider of community-based and workplace-based adult learning. There are over 200 locations across Scotland. The WEA's priority is to reach people who face barriers to learning.
Scotland is the Place gives information about all aspects of life in Scotland and contains a large section about education. It is published in Polish as well as in English.
Szkocja.net is Scotland's leading quality portal for the Polish community. It offers useful information about the Scottish government, culture, education, multiculturalism, health system, housing, etc. Email: info@szkocja.net.
A Quick Guide to Polish Qualifications. This page of the Scottish Qualifications Authority website offers a useful and comprehensive comparison of Polish and Scottish qualifications.
Zjednoczenie Polskie w Wielkiej Brytanii (Federation of Poles in Great Britain) is a London-based organisation that can be of interest to Polish migrants in the UK. The website contains information from the Polish community in the UK and from the Polish Educational Society.
The Scottish Refugee Council provides independent and confidential education and careers information and advice. Freephone 0800 0856087.
Local organisations in Fife and Tayside
Transitions contains information about learning in Fife and Tayside, including advice and guidance to help you choose a course, explore different ways of learning and help on issues such as how to finance your studies and where to find local support.
Fifedirect is a community website for residents of Fife. It contains information on local services and groups, events and community contacts. The 'Lifelong Learning' section (within 'Education and Learning') provides information about how to plan your learning, the learning opportunities open to you in Fife, where you can learn, how you can learn and who can help you. Freephone: 0845 1550000.
Moving On In Fife has lots of useful information about community learning opportunities and progression routes into higher education in three key economic growth industries in Fife - care, hospitality and ICT/administration. It will provide tips on learning and gaining employment and direct you to local contacts.
Discover Learning for Yourself gives information about learning opportunities in different parts of Dundee, including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). Courses are designed to suit individual needs, in small groups and tuition is free. Telephone 01382 666665.
The Learning Journey provides a way through the wealth of learning opportunities across Perth and Kinross. It has a search facility for courses offered in the area and gives a list of contacts for centres and organisations that provide education and support.
The aim of the Fife Polish Association, MOST – formed in 2006 with the support of FRAE Fife – is to establish contacts with the local council, agencies and voluntary organisations, and help new Polish migrants settle in Fife. They provide information about cultural and educational initiatives, as well as providing a social focus through the Polish Community Centre, Polska Swietlica. To contact them, telephone 01592 204005.
FRAE (Fairness Race Awareness Equality) Fife is an umbrella organisation that aims to raise awareness of ethnic minority issues. It functions as an information point for minorities, focusing on categories such as education, housing, heath projects, etc. It is a partnership between ethnic minority groups and agencies such as Fife Council and NHS Fife. To contact them, telephone 01592 204005.
The Ethnic Minority Employment and Training Network (EMET) helps ethnic minority people in Fife access education, employment and training opportunities. For further information, contact Lifang Lamb, the EMET Network Development Co-ordinator, in the Leven Opportunity Centre (see below for Opportunity Centres), telephone 01334 659383. Alternatively, you can contact Lifang on 01592 417583 or email lifang.lamb@fife.gov.uk.
Dundee International Women's Centre works to promote educational, social and recreational opportunities for women, with a particular emphasis on those from ethnic minority communities. Telephone 01382 462058.
Opportunity Centres can provide help with career planning, writing a curriculum vitae (CV) and preparing for job interviews. They also have information on learning and retraining, including help with basic skills such as reading and writing for people whose first language is not English. For further information, visit the FifeDirect website (find 'Opportunity Centre' in the A-Z section).
Advice & Services Centre, Dundee is a one-stop shop for a variety of different services, providing advice on issues such as benefits, residency, childcare and adult education. The services are delivered by agencies like Jobcentre Plus, Careers Scotland, Dundee College, in strictest confidence. Everything is absolutely free of charge. Telephone 01382 458475.
The Welcome to Angus booklet, prepared by the Angus College Migrant Workers Initiative, is a guide for migrant workers coming to Angus and gives a host of information ranging across employment and finance, education and training, and community (including local voluntary support organisations). It is produced in English, Bulgarian, Czech, Polish and Russian, and can be downloaded from the Angus Ahead website.
The Dundee Partnership has produced a Welcome to Dundee pack for international workers, students and their families. It gives useful information about the voluntary sector in the ’Community’ section, with contacts for a number of ethnic groups, including those for the Scottish Bulgarian Association.
The New Workers Partnership, under the auspices of Perth and Kinross Council, has published a booklet Welcome to Perth and Kinross – A Guide for New Workers in English, Polish, Russian and Czech. The booklet contains information new workers need to work, live and study in the area. It provides details of a Polish school and support group that offer English language sessions. To obtain a copy, contact Perth and Kinross Council – telephone 01738 475000.