31 best English schools in Edinburgh

Studying in the capital of Scotland - Edinburgh, a city with centuries-old traditions - has several advantages:

• Educational system is flexible and allows to take into account interests and goals of the child
• Experienced teachers will make studying effective and interesting for every student
• A wide range of academic programs that will suit foreign students with different language skills
• A variety of cultural and entertainment events will allow you to get a unique experience of traveling abroad
• Studying English in Edinburgh in an international setting will be a unique experience for each student, which will also help to significantly improve the child's communication skills and sense of responsibility.
• Latest equipment
• Developed infrastructure of language schools
• Convenient location
• Picturesque landscapes
• High level of security.

Studying at a language camp in Scotland is an adventure vacation filled with unforgettable experiences for every child!

Laura Galindo

Marketing Director

What makes English so special for families from all over the world?

In 2023, statistics show there are about 1.5 billion people around the world who speak English both natively and as a second language. English is the global language for business, tourism, aviation, sciences, and media (to name a few).

It is most essential for families in that this will allow for the younger generations to have innumerable employment opportunities within and outside their birth country.

The first thing parents pay attention when choosing language courses is the curriculum. Edinburgh offers several key areas for studying English for foreign students:

• Traditional English courses

General English courses can improve the basic skills of the language (grammar, speaking, listening, writing). Students get acquainted with unique culture of the country during excursion trips. Traditionally, language schools offer a regular and intensive English course, the main difference is the number of language classes. Usually, students pass a language test before starting classes, and then they are divided into equal groups. This is aimed at making English courses in Edinburgh effective and interesting for everyone, and even children with insufficient language skills can feel comfortable. For more progress, it is worth choosing linguistic camps. Students can practice the language in everyday life during numerous extra-curricular activities. Most summer courses include visits to attractions such as Edinburgh Castle, which has become a real symbol of the city, the Royal Mile, which is one of Edinburgh's famous streets, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Zoo and much more.

• Combined English courses

English courses are mixed with additional sports, creativity or science. Students can open new horizons in their favourite hobby - dancing, music, football, tennis, robotics, etc. Thus, one of the most interesting programs is the course “Learning English with a Festival” at Hampstead Edinburgh School. 

• Preparation courses in English

Especially popular in Edinburgh are courses aimed at preparing foreign stdents for admission to leading universities or for passing international language exams as IELTS, FCE, CAE. 

Language camps in Edinburgh conduct a variety of academic programs that differ in initial level of language proficiency, the duration of the program and its focus. “Study and rest” courses are aimed at students starting from beginner level. As for preparation courses for passing international tests, command of the language must be not lower than advanced. Traditionally, language schools offer accommodation in a residence, hotel or host family for their students. Meals are organized on the basis of full board.

Scottish language courses usually have minimum requirements for applicants, which allows children and adolescents to plunge into the foreign “educational atmosphere” and get acquainted with the main criteria and requirements for education with minimal “paperwork”.

For your convenience, on this page SMAPSE experts described all the prestigious schools and international programs. You can get acquainted with ranking, tuition fees and students' feedback.

SMAPSE provides FREE admission services to partner institutions, but the number of places is limited. SMAPSE experts are ready to assist in the selection of institutions, to advise on the package of necessary documents, admission requirements and deadlines. 

Nowadays, language courses for foreign students are held year-round. Actually, the most popular programs with international students are vacational ones: summer, spring, autumn or winter holidays. 

The average cost of studying is from £ 1,000 to £ 1,500 for 2 weeks of studying per student. The prices for English courses in Edinburgh depend on the chosen educational institution, its ranking, program and its duration. Usually, the cost includes studying, educational materials, accommodation, meals, some extracurricular activities and excursions.