Glasgow School of English was established in 1997 and is proud to remain a Scottish owned, family run school. Quality is important to us. We are accredited by the British Council under the Accreditation UK scheme and are also a member of English UK and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC). We are also one of the few English language schools to be approved by the British Standards Institution against the internationally recognised ISO9001:2008 quality standard.
Based in the centre of Glasgow our school provides the ideal location to learn English while also enjoying the culture, history, arts and music of Scotland's largest and most vibrant city.
Our professional teachers and staff have many years of experience and are all strongly committed to delivering quality tuition and personalised customer services in a welcoming, international environment all year round.
We are committed to improving your English language skills and making sure you get the most out of your experience whether you want to gain entry to a UK university, pass an examination such as IELTS, enhance your employment opportunities, or simply enjoy your time visiting Scotland.
Each year we help hundreds of international students, of all ages and backgrounds, from over 50 countries.
What can Glasgow School of English offer you?
Quality teaching delivered by professional, experienced English teachers
Range of Full and Part-time English language courses for adults
IELTS examination preparation courses
All levels from Beginner to Advanced
Flexible enrolment - join General English any week
Flexible course length - from one week to one year or more
Regular social programme.
Support and guidance to ensure that you enjoy your stay in Glasgow
The nationality and age mix at Glasgow School of English varies over different time periods, courses and levels. Throughout the year, the average age is 26. In the summer, the average age is 24.
teaches students from all over the world, including:
does not hold classes on the holiday dates below. The school does not compensate for these holidays, so make sure to choose your start date accordingly.
Our school is located in the heart of Glasgow city centre and is within walking distance of two halls of residence and several hotels.
The school has excellent transport links: it is a five minute walk from either of Glasgow's two main train stations, as well as two underground stations. Many buses also pass by our front door.
The School was what I was looking for... Good teachers, good classmates, small groups, all time speeking english, practical lessons, extracurricular activities were great, acomodation not very clean, near school, very simple but with all things I needed...
Show details » Read more...I was at school two weeks, the last of July and the first of August. I found bright and clean classrooms, well-prepared professors with good pronunciation. The school is located in the center of Glasgow, easy to reach by bus but also for those who use the train.
I didn’t use school residences because I was host in a guest house in Paisley.
My only regret, due to my work, was the little time to attend school. From my experience I deduce that it is a few two weeks to get clear improvements.
The classes were funny and entertained and every theacher I had were really nice. The location was not really good, the first day I spent 15 minutes finding It, because It is linda hide but It was not far from muy apartment and that was good, finally, the House was ok, but my room was just next to the kitchen and It was really noisy.
Show details » Read more...My experience was great, I met fantastic colleagues, teachers and I improved my english.
Show details » Read more...Located in the center of Glasgow the School of English provide to the students the chance of improving their English, meet new people and get in touch with different cultures. Most of teachers are good doing their jobs and friendly.
Show details » Read more...I liked the classes and teacher. I did classes with two teachers and both are very good professional. The school was near from the apartment that I rented. So, everything was good for me.
Show details » Read more...This is a small, but good English school in Scotland. In 6 weeks I had 3 teachers with differents styles. Each of them focus in specific skill.
I would like to talk about Mr. Brian. He was a good teacher, but in some situation he was not polite with us. We complained with him. In one class a classmate said about exercise: "it look like a lottery. You [Mr. Brian] did not explain as much as we needed". After that, did not changed in our class. I were upset when I saw classmate did not arrive on Friday (because they feel afraid about test).
I filled the evaluation form all weeks, but I really don't know if the school read. I wrote about Mr. Brian behaviour. I wrote about I wanted more homework, but if I did not require each day, my requirement did not considered.
I recognize that Mr. Brian focus is grammar. And I appreciated because it was important. But he needs to recognize as well, what his class needed.
Finally, for 2 weeks we have no social activities and in one day, we waited for the person who proposed a tour and he/she didn't appeared.
For me to take this 6 week course at the Glasgow School of English was wonderful, an amazing experience, great school and excellent teachers and the location helps a lot as well being in the center of Glasgow very close to Central Station, where you can decide if you want to go by bus or train.The classes were very explanatory and the teachers always charged participation thus always encouraging the students' performance and in fact improving their English. I specifically did not stay in the accommodation offered by the school, because I stayed at the house of a friend who lives in Glasgow, her house was near the school (20 minutes by bus) which made my trips to school much easier. Particularly I liked everything that the school offered me, the classes the great teachers, the walks and the friendships that I made in this period in which I was there, for sure I will indicate the school to other friends who wanted to experience this experience and for sure I I'm going back to Glasgow, and in the future I'm going back to study English at the Glasgow School of English.
Show details » Read more...I really loved it. It's easy to get there and not too hard to find. The classes were perfectly mixed with different people from different places. Not only talking, grammar and vocabulary but also the listening skills and the skill to understand different accents get improved. The teachers were motivated, good to understand and made me feel free to ask any questions. I loved the class and the work between the students in school, but also outside of it when we made little trips to cool places. The activities were inviting and really interesting and even with some complications anything is done to let interested people do these activities. In the end also the accommodation was perfect. Carol was really welcoming and open to me and also my room was beautiful. I liked my whole stay in Glasgow the only improvement for me is to stay longer the next time because one week is really too short to really learn something. But still it was a beautiful experience. Thank you :)
Show details » Read more...Glasgow: Very amazing city, dynamic, not expensive, with a lot of things to do and to see, friendly people, easy to go to the others destinations in Scotland!! I've really appreciated it.
The housing : Excellent ! Good and comfortable room, safe, clean, big kitchen, all the facilities...
School: The location is excellent, in the city center. Very kind and helpful staff. I think it's a good school ( not excellent but good). Unfortunately, one of my teachers ( I've had 2 teachers) is not good at all, not motivated and dynamic and her classes weren't very useful. My classmates have thought the same about her. But , the others teachers are appreciated from the others students. So, I think it depends on the teacher . In general, I've appreciated the school and the staff, the social activities, but i'm not sure about really recommend it for my friends.
It was my first experience in a course abroad. Actually, I contracted the Language International's services to study English in Toronto (CA) too. Specifically, my experience in Glasgow was amazing. I liked so much of the classes, teachers, structure (simple, small and organized), of the people mixture with different accents. The residence is great and very clean, but the kitchen does not so clean. Doesn't have the staff to organize the kitchen three times per week, for example. Are lots of students using the kitchen, so could be interesting have anybody to help and keep the kitchen clean, beyond the own students does it.
Show details » Read more...I really liked my experience. The teachers and the students were incredible. I improved my English. Thank you Glasgow school of English. I would also like to say thank you to my favorite teacher Beth!
Show details » Read more...I'm really satisfied about this experience. All the teachers in the school were very friendly and available. The class lessons were very interesting and useful in learning English. The school had a perfect location, because it was in the city center, very close to the public transportation. All the furniture were totally new.
Show details » Read more...I'm very happy to have done this experience; the teachers were very good, I liked the variety of activities and the skills taught.
The staff was very friendly and helpful.
I liked studying with people from other country; it was very exciting and interesting.
I didn't have time for the trips because my course only lasted one month.
My experience in Glasgow School of English was very instructive, the courses weren't like 'normal' courses in high school. It was much more relaxed, but we could learn very well with Brian, who I think was a very good teacher. I didn't do any activities with the school but I heard much feedback from friends who were enjoying the trips.
The facilities are very well situated in the center of Glasgow so it's really easy to reach the school every morning and to have lunch.
It was a good experience!
The Glasgow School of English is very international. There are students from all over the Europe and Asia. Brazilians haven't discovered Glasgow yet. Nobody speaks Portuguese there. Definitely, Glasgow is a very good place for Brazilians to study English. The city is beautiful, safe, and a little bit less expense than London. About the school. It's nice, mainly because the localization. It is in the heart of Glasgow.
Show details » Read more...I liked that the classes in the school are clearly divided into different levels; it helps students to advance step by step. For the first 4 weeks, I studied General English, which helped me to adapt to the language. Then I moved up to the IELTS class, where the education program was more intense, but I was already prepared for that and have done quite well with the program. I would like to note the high level of teachers and express to them my deepest recognition.
The location was very convenient.
Also I liked that there was a lot of school trips and excursions organized. It was very interesting.
My accommodation was just gorgeous. It was very convenient to get to school. I had a private room with a bathroom; everything was very clean and comfortable. The food was also excellent. But most importantly, I felt more a family member rather than a student renting a room. My host mother and me became friends and still keep in touch with each other.
From what I did not like: there is a required on-line test. But sometimes it is done several months before the start of the course and the real level of language knowledge is not always corresponding to the results of the on-line test. I think it is more expedient to conduct testing on arrival of students in the school.
Good teachers. Too many classes. We had two professors in the conversation course. One would have been better to learn better. In my case in a week we have not been able to learn some of the most important basics.
The school is very small so the classrooms are small. Good quality but price is the most economical in England.
The location was very good. I lived in hotel and it was near the school (about 10minutes walk). It was different from the LSI in Cambridge, smaller. But materials I got was good and liked being in Glasgow.
Show details » Read more...The organization of the course was not suited to my expectations. In fact, I didn't have much time (just a week). I had to follow the same course as other people taking over several months. The pedagogy of the school didn't suit me. The Professor in the morning was very nice. He tried to give me what I need (vocabulary, grammar), but there were many students in the group and he had no time to dig up my difficulties. The Professor of the afternoon was really incompetent. He didn't prepare his lessons and we watched movies most of the time. I felt like wasting my time and my money. I learned more in the street with the people we met. I don't keep a good memory of this experience.
Show details » Read more...It was very nice to stay there. In fact, I'm going back to Glasgow next March to learn at the same school and stay at the same home...
Show details » Read more...I think that it was a wonderful experience... I liked all, the teachers, Glasgow, Scottish people, the school... all! I hope to come back soon!
Show details » Read more...Homestays are carefully selected and offer students the opportunity to learn more about the local culture in a comfortable setting while studying English in Glasgow. These homes are often between 20 - 60 minutes away from the school by public transport. Families usually offer affordable meal plans that allow you to sample the local cuisine. If you have special requests or diet restrictions (because of religion or health reasons), please let us know in advance. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Learn more about homestay housing
Student residences are more suitable for an independent student, who is looking for clean, basic accommodation at an economic price. All students must be 18+. Your housing starts on the Sunday before your first day of class and ends on the Saturday after your last day of class, unless otherwise noted. Student residences often do not include any meal plan. Learn more about student residence accommodation
We cannot apply for visas on behalf of students. However, the school can supply you with all the documentation you need to support your visa application.
If you are studying in the UK for over 11 months, you will receive a reference number called a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) that you need to submit to the UK embassy along with your General Student Visa application. Students who have successfully booked a language course and have paid their fees will receive a CAS from . Please note that UK law states that a CAS can only be issued to students who intend to pursue English language studies for over 11 months.
If you are studying in the UK for 11 months or less, you have to apply for a special visitor visa called a Student Visitor Visa. As a student visitor, you will not be able to work part-time while studying. If you plan to study in the UK for 11 months or less, a letter of acceptance will be sent to your home address by regular mail at no charge to you. If you wish to receive your paperwork by express mail, you will be charged £ 60 when you register.
Please note that we do not book flights for our students. If you are researching airfare costs, we recommend using Kayak.com, a search engine that lets you compare flight options from your home country to Glasgow based on your budget, schedule and preferences.
Study abroad worry-free with Language International's health and personal effects insurance coverage. When you book a course with us, you can opt to purchase an international insurance plan that covers not only your health care cost but also loss of your personal belongings. You must book your insurance in advance when you register.
Our school is located in the heart of Glasgow city centre and is within walking distance of two halls of residence and several hotels.
The school has excellent transport links: it is a five minute walk from either of Glasgow's two main train stations, as well as two underground stations. Many buses also pass by our front door.
Have questions? Get answers from Glasgow School of English staff, Language International student advisors, and past students.
Ask a questionPlease note that the student must be at an Intermediate level to join the Academic class.