Launched in June 2012 at the University of Strathclyde, the Confucius Institute for Scotland’s Schools (CISS) is the first government initiated Confucius Institute in the UK.

We create opportunities and widen access for learners in our schools and the wider community to develop the knowledge, skills and cultural awareness required of citizens in the globally interdependent world of the 21st century. We achieve this through our partnership with the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, universities in China, and our network of Confucius Classroom hubs in Scotland. The hubs provide high-quality, progressive language learning experiences for all as well as rich, inclusive opportunities for personal development which promote cultural understanding.  We facilitate educational and cultural exchange and research between China and Scotland so that our two countries may continue to share expertise and learn from each other.

Our Aims

• to provide strategic leadership, direction and professional learning for the Confucius Classroom Hubs. We do this to promote high quality language learning and teaching experiences in line with Scotland's national priorities.
• to highlight and demonstrate the benefits of learning about Chinese language and culture as a means of developing intercultural competencies so that Mandarin is recognised widely as a key skill for life and work.
• to facilitate language-related research, share information and enable knowledge exchange between Scotland and China.

Our Partnership Agreements

• strengthen educational cooperation between China and Scotland
• support and promote development of Chinese language education
• increase mutual understanding among young people in China and Scotland