Information and advice
Here are some useful links and contacts for further information and advice regarding educational opportunities and resources, including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and access courses, in the West of Scotland.
Scotland's Colleges and higher education institutions
| Institution | Telephone | Childcare provision |
|---|---|---|
| Anniesland College | 0141 3573969 | Birth to 5 years |
| Argyll College | 0845 2309969 | 3 months to 5 years |
| Ayr College | 01292 265184 | 2 to 5 years, plus some places for babies (from 6 weeks) |
| Barony College | 01387 860251 | |
| Cardonald College | 0141 2723333 | 6 weeks to 12 years |
| Central College of Commerce, Glasgow | 0141 5523941 | |
| Clydebank College | 0141 9517400 | 3 months to 5 years |
| Coatbridge College | 01236 422316 | Birth to 5 years |
| Cumbernauld College | 01236 731811 | Birth to 5 years |
| Dumfries and Galloway College | 01387 261261 | 2 to 5 years and after school group 4 to 12 years |
| Glasgow Caledonian University | 0141 3313000 | 6 weeks to 5 years |
| Glasgow College of Nautical Studies | 0141 5652500 | 8 weeks to 5 years |
| Glasgow Metropolitan College | 0141 5666222 | |
| Glasgow School of Art | 0141 3534500 | |
| James Watt College | 0800 5872277 (Greenock) 0800 0858200 (North Ayrshire) |
3 to 5 years (at both Greenock and Kilwinning) |
| John Wheatley College | 0141 5881500 | 6 weeks to 5 years (at both Easterhouses and Shettleston) |
| Kilmarnock College | 01563 523501 | 2 to 5 years |
| Langside College | 0141 2723600 | 2 to 5 years and Gaelic Nursery 6 weeks to 5 years |
| Motherwell College | 01698 232425 | 6 weeks to 5 years |
| North Glasgow College | 0141 5589001 | |
| The Open University in Scotland | 0131 2263851 | |
| Reid Kerr College | 0141 5812222 | 2 to 5 years |
| Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama | 0141 3324101 | |
| Scottish Agricultural College | 0800 269453 | |
| South Lanarkshire College | 01355 807780 | 2½ to 5 years |
| Stow College | 0141 3321786 | |
| University of Glasgow | 0141 3302000 | 6 weeks to 5 years |
| University of Strathclyde | 0141 5524400 | 6 weeks to 5 years at John Anderson Campus only |
| University of the West of Scotland | 0141 8483000 | Birth to 5 years and out of school care 5 to 12 years at Hamilton Campus. Facilities also at Paisley Campus |
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.
Barony College, Central College of Commerce, Glasgow Metropolitan College, North Glasgow College, Stow College, the Glasgow School of Art and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama 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.
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, as well as information and advice about ways of learning, funding and childcare options. To speak to an adviser call 0808 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 may 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 the West of Scotland
The University of Strathclyde's Centre for Lifelong Learning runs professional updating courses for black and minority ethnic professionals who have gained their qualifications and experience either in the UK or overseas and who are looking to gain employment in Scotland. The courses enable participants to compete more effectively in the employment market in professions such as Architecture and Engineering, Health Care, Finance and Information Technology. The courses include a work placement with local employers and, where appropriate, a module on English Language for non-native speakers. Telephone 0141 5484147.
Glasgow City Council. A freephone telephone number is now available to asylum seekers and refugees living in the Glasgow area to provide information on a range of services and local resources including language classes, childcare, social and leisure activities. The service is available in French, Turkish, Arabic and Albanian. To obtain the freephone number for the language you require, call 0141 2872000.
Welcome to Glasgow. Glasgow City Council's booklet gives information about living and working in Glasgow. It is published in Polish and in Slovak, as well as in English, and can be downloaded from their website.
Dumfries and Galloway Multi-Cultural Association (DGMA) provides information, advice and support on a variety of issues, including education and employment. They also offer translation services. Telephone 01387 254624 or email dgma@hotmail.com
The Ethnic Minority Enterprise Centre (EMEC), Glasgow provides training courses, employment counselling, guidance on job seeking skills and learning opportunities including ESOL courses and NHS access to work programmes. They have established close links with all of Scotland's Colleges in Glasgow to ensure that, where possible, all training is accredited and universally recognised. Telephone 0141 2214044.
San Jai Chinese Project, Glasgow offers family support and courses in English. Telephone 0141 332 3978.
The Well - Asian Information and Advice Centre, Glasgow offers a drop-in service for local Asian communities and for asylum seekers and refugees. Advice and information on a wide range of areas is available including welfare benefits, education and training, and employment. It also offers a range of classes and activities. Telephone 0141 4244523.
Glasgow24.pl established in 2006, is the first website for Poles about Glasgow in the Polish language only. The intention of the portal is to provide information about Glasgow and its surroundings for the Polish community living in that area. It provides useful information about living in Glasgow, about culture, education, housing, banking, transport, getting around, etc.
The Bridges Programmes - Work Shadowing Scheme, Glasgow is a unique work shadow/work experience scheme for asylum seekers and refugees, which provides a great opportunity to gain first-hand experience of a working environment. Participants 'shadow' an experienced employee at a member organisation for one or two days a week over a three-month period. Mentoring and coaching are provided throughout the scheme and a certificate is awarded on completion of the placement; references can also be made available (where appropriate). Telephone 0141 5545440.
Pollokshields Community Centre, Glasgow offers courses in English for all members of the local community. Telephone 0141 4206464.
Glasgow Overseas Professionals into Practice (GOPiP) is a project set up to adapt the skills of internationally qualified nurses seeking asylum in Scotland to enable employment in the Scottish National Health Service (NHS). GOPiP provides personal and professional help to support refugee nurses. This includes: assistance with applications to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), academic and clinical support, developing English language skills and gaining accreditation of previous experience in order to join relevant undergraduate programmes. For further information contact the Project Coordinator at Glasgow Caledonian University: telephone 0141 3318352, email:GOPiP@gcal.ac.uk
Refugees into Teaching in Scotland (RITeS) RITeS works with refugees and those seeking refugee status in Scotland who have teaching qualifications. It offers specialised long-term guidance and support for job search (including assessing prior learning), professional requalification and entry/re-entry into higher education. They can offer advice on registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland and help obtain voluntary placements in Scottish schools. They can also provide advice on the education system in Scotland, including curriculum, methodology, resources and classroom management.