The School of Education and Social Sciences provides languages courses for students from across all academic schools at UWS, UWS staff and members of the public.

What languages can I study?

Languages for All offers you the opportunity to start learning or improve your previous knowledge in:

  • French
  • Spanish

British Sign Language (BSL) classes will be offered at a beginner's level only. For further details of BSL classes, email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk 

Timetables

All language modules in Terms 1 & 2 are delivered at either our Ayr or Paisley campus and in the morning or afternoon during terms one and two. Attendance will either be:

  • two hours a week during terms one and two (20 credit modules)
  • two hours a week for one term only (10 credit modules).

Note: All modules are subject to minimum numbers for viability. 

Timetables for all of our terms one and two language modules are shown below but if you require any further information please email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk

British Sign Language (BSL)

  • Introduction to BSL modules are planned to be offered in Term 2
    Paisley Campus
    (for more details, email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk)

French

Paisley Campus

  • French 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Wednesday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26142)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Thursday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 24196)
  • Introduction to French 1 (10-credit points)
    Thursday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 23560)

Ayr Campus

  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 0930-1130
    Ayr Campus (CRN 22770)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Ayr Campus (CRN 22770)
  • Introduction to French 1 (10-credit points)
    Friday 0930-1130 
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26294)
  • French 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Ayr Campus (CRN 22776)

Spanish

Paisley Campus

  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Tuesday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 24202)
  • Introduction to Spanish 1 (10-credit points)
    Tuesday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 16290)
  • Spanish 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Wednesday 0900-1100
    Paisley Campus (CRN 25798)
  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Thursday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26166)
  • Introduction to Spanish 1 (10-credit points)
    Thursday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 24288)

Ayr Campus

  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 0930-1130
    Ayr Campus (CRN 15123)
  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26167)
  • Introduction to Spanish 1 (10-credit points)
    Friday 0930-1130 
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26160)

British Sign Language (BSL)

  • Introduction to BSL modules are planned to be offered in Term 2
    Paisley Campus
    (for more details, email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk)

French

Paisley Campus

  • French 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Wednesday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26142)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Thursday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 24196)
  • Introduction to French 2 (10-credit points)
    Thursday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26295)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 0930-1130
    Paisley Campus (CRN 22770)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Paisley Campus (CRN 22779)

Ayr Campus

  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 0930-1130
    Ayr Campus (CRN 22770)
  • Introduction to French 2 (10-credit points)
    Friday 0930-1130 
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26296)
  • French 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Ayr Campus (CRN 22770)
  • French 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Paisley Campus (CRN 22776)

Spanish

Paisley Campus

  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Tuesday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 24202)
  • Introduction to Spanish 2 (10-credit points)
    Tuesday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26292)
  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Thursday 1400-1600
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26166)
  • Introduction to Spanish 2 (10-credit points)
    Thursday 1400-1600 
    Paisley Campus (CRN 26293)

Ayr Campus

  • Spanish 1.2 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Thursday 0930-1230
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26291)
  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 0930-1130
    Ayr Campus (CRN 15123)
  • Spanish 1.1 (20-credit points)
    Thin module running over T1 & T2
    Friday 1200-1400
    Ayr Campus (CRN 26167)

Subject to viability, online classes may be available as part of the CPD study options in Term 3 (May - August).

These are normally taught over a condensed period of 6 weeks, with two 2-hour sessions each week (Tuesday and Thursday evenings).

Exact timetable details of these are not included here as they are not yet confirmed.

Please check our language options on the UWS Continuous Development platform:

UWS CPD language options

You can aslo get more infomation by emailing: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk. 

 

How are the classes taught?

Our focus is on practical language skills for social and professional contexts. To promote total language immersion, classes are conducted in the target language as much as possible. With relatively small class sizes, your lecturers will quickly get to know you individually.

All modules are credit-bearing, with continuous assessment and no end-of-trimester exam.

Can I start a Language from scratch?

Yes! We offer modules for complete beginners in:

  • British Sign Language (BSL)*
  • French
  • Spanish

You can take a module over one trimester (10 credits) or two trimesters (20 credits). 

* Introduction to BSL modules are planned for Term 2

For more information please email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk

How much do they cost?

Our language modules are suitable for anyone wishing to learn a language from scratch for work or leisure, or to develop existing knowledge. They are open to UWS students, university staff and members of the public.

They are either free for UWS students or through the Skills Scholarships initiaitive, or available at a minimal cost to all applicants.

UWS students on many programmes may be able to choose a language module as one of their options.

Please discuss this with your Programme Leader or personal tutor.

For students who cannot take a language module as an elective, it's possible to study a language as an extra module at a reduced price:

  • £110 for a 20-credit module
  • £55 for a 10-credit module

Payment is made via the UWS Online Shop:

Modern Language Module Payments

After payment is made, we will add the module to your student record on Banner.

UWS students and members of the public might be entitled to access a Modern Language module via the UWS Continuous Professional Development route whereby a fee-waiver for one module initiative is available.

This means you can study one language module for free.

Please review our CPD language options and check your eligibility.

If you are not eligible for the CPD route or wish to take a module not offered as part of CPD, you can still join our classes.

Please contact LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk for further information.

How do I apply?

Applications are now open: Apply to UWS

You will need to create an account (if you do not already have one). Select ‘Education & Social Sciences’ as the school and then the campus you intend to study at and press search.

Select the module you wish to study, select the mode of study (part-time), start date (listed as 08 September 2025 but classes start later, see below) and complete the details. 

Note: A reference is not required.

Once your application has been completed, it will be reviewed by our Admissions team and you will receive an offer letter.

How do I pay? 

Prior to online enrolment you are required to pay your fees. You can do this on epayments. Ensure you enter your Banner number (student ID) to allow the payment to be matched to your record.

Work-Ready Graduate Laughing | Undergraduate Study at UWS | University of the West of Scotland

When do classes start?

Academic Year 2025-26

  • Term 1 classes start in w/c 15 September 2025
  • Term 2 classes start on w/c 19 January 2026

For Term 3 module options, please check the UWS Education & Society CPD website. 

For information about the timetables please see above or email: LanguagesforAll@uws.ac.uk

Last updated: 09/09/2025