- Location
- Langside Campus
- SCQF Level
- 6
- Start Date
- 25 Aug 2025
- Qualification Type
- Higher
- Course Type
- Part-Time
- Duration
- 1 Year (August to May)
Applicatioins on hold due to volume already received
Higher ESOL is an advanced level ESOL course for students whose first language is not English. You will have already developed English language abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking to an upper intermediate level. This course is for advanced level learners, for example those progressing from ESOL National 5, but it may also be suitable for those who have English at an advanced level in all skills. This course will prepare you for the SQA Higher ESOL exam.
What will I learn?
This course will prepare you for the Higher ESOL (SCQF Level 6) exam.
It will help you to improve your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in English. As well as these skills, it will also include high level grammar and exam practice.
The course content also covers academic English, report and essay writing and presentation skills.
The Higher ESOL course will be delivered over two sessions a week in college. You will need to dedicate three to six hours per week in self-study in addition to class attendance.
Entry requirements (minimum)
- SQA National 5 ESOL at Grade A or B, or equivalent level qualification
- Alternatively, you may be asked to take a reading and writing entry test.
Note that the personal statement section of the application form is an important part of our selection process and must be completed by the applicant and written without assistance of any kind.
Applications that do not include a personal statement or qualification details are automatically rejected.
Please ensure theat Higher ESOL (Level 6) is an appropriate level for you. You can apply for other ESOL levels here English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Please do not apply for both.
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications (SCQF) Framework can help you to check if you're choosing the right level of study. Take a look at the SCQF Interactive Framework here.
Employer and industry links
This course primarily provides access to further study although will enhance employment prospects in a wide range of areas.
Jobs and further study
Higher ESOL is accepted by most undergraduate and post-graduate courses at university and HNC courses at college.
Making an application
For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.
Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.
I've applied — what happens next?
When you apply
You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application (remember to check your SPAM folder).
Your application will be reviewed by the admissions team and you will either be:
- Made a direct offer (unconditional or conditional)
- Invited to book an interview session
- Advised that your application is unsuccessful – you have not met the entry requirements for this course and are advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
- We aim not to reject an application and if you don’t meet the entry requirements you may be referred to a different course or level.
If you are invited to interview, you will be informed of the outcome of your interview by email within 14 working days. The outcome will be one of the following:
- Unconditional offer of a place – you have met all the entry requirements and your place is guaranteed. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your place.
- Conditional offer of a place – your place is secured pending you meeting the entry requirements. This may mean achieving school or college qualifications which you may not be able to provide to us yet. This also may be based on a short entry test. You will be required to accept this offer to secure your conditional place. Once your conditions are met this will change to an unconditional offer of a place which you must accept before you can enrol on the course.
- Waiting list – you have met all entry requirements, and have been interviewed however, the course is now full so you have been placed on a waiting list. If any spaces become available you may be contacted, usually around the course start date. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Reserve list – following your interview, you have unfortunately not been successful in this round of recruitment. We have placed your name on a Reserve list and your application may be reconsidered at a later date. This could happen any time up to the start date of the course but it is very possible that you will not be offered a place. We would advise that you also consider other application options.
- Unsuccessful – your interview has been unsuccessful. You may be offered a place on a course at a different level, or advised to contact the College Student Advice Centres to discuss alternative options which may be available to you.
Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place, as the system will automatically decline your offer after 14 days.
Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent out instructions about student funding, joining instructions and induction date. This will normally be sent out in June / July.