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Studies & Degrees in English, Language and Culture

English, language and culture covers two kinds of study. The first is learning English as a foreign language: courses in an English-speaking country or at a language school at home, usually combined with activities that introduce the culture of the place. The second is studying English as an academic subject: the language itself, its literature and the societies where it is spoken. This page deals mainly with the first, because most schools listed for this subject are language schools, summer schools and international schools.

Students work on the four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing), grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. Living in the language, with a host family, in a residence or on a campus, is what distinguishes a course abroad from classes at home.

Courses, levels and exams

Schools place students by level. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. Typical course types are:

  • general English, from beginner to advanced, for study, work or everyday life
  • exam preparation, mainly for IELTS and the Cambridge exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced
  • business and professional English
  • foundation courses that prepare for university entry
  • summer programmes and camps for children and teenagers
  • teacher training, such as the Trinity CertTESOL qualification for people who want to teach English

A language school normally awards its own certificate of attendance. For a recognised proof of level, students take an exam. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English. According to IELTS, the Academic test is likely the right choice for people planning to study in a country where English is spoken, while the General Training test suits those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or to train or study below degree level.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 20 active schools for this subject: 5 in the United States, 5 in the United Kingdom, 4 in Spain and 1 each in Denmark, Ireland, Poland, Colombia, Iraq and Germany. They include language schools for adults, summer schools for young learners, British international schools, online courses and universities.

  • Bournemouth City College, on the south coast of England, offers General English, Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced preparation and a Level 3 International Foundation Diploma for Higher Education Studies, for students from the age of 18. The college states that it is accredited by the British Council.
  • NW Academy of English in Derry, Northern Ireland, runs Cambridge exam preparation classes and the Trinity CertTESOL teacher-training qualification, and hosts an IELTS test centre.
  • iEnglish Centre in Kilkenny, Ireland, teaches general English from beginner to advanced, business English and preparation for IELTS and the Cambridge exams.
  • International People's College in Helsingør, Denmark, is a folk high school where everything happens in English. It offers long courses of four to six months and short courses of one to three weeks, with no fixed curriculum and no grades, and has an English language course.

Visas for a course in the United Kingdom

The rules depend on the length of the course (GOV.UK, checked in October 2026). For an English language course of 6 months or shorter, students who need a visa apply for a Visitor visa. A course longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months requires a Short-term study visa, which costs £228; the healthcare surcharge usually costs £776. Holders of this visa cannot work. A course longer than 11 months requires a Student visa, for which the student needs a place on a course with a licensed student sponsor and must be able to speak, read, write and understand English.

Careers

English is a working skill rather than a profession in itself. A certified level of English is asked for in university admissions and in many jobs in business, tourism, science and technology. Students who take English as a degree subject often go into teaching, translation, publishing, media and communication, and a teaching qualification such as the Trinity CertTESOL prepares for work as an English language teacher.

Frequently asked questions

Which English exam should I take for university?

According to IELTS, the IELTS Academic test is likely the right choice if you plan to study in a country where English is spoken. Always check which exams and scores your chosen university accepts.

Do I need a visa for an English course in the UK?

It depends on your nationality and the length of the course. For courses longer than 6 months and up to 11 months, GOV.UK requires a Short-term study visa, which costs £228 plus the healthcare surcharge. Shorter courses fall under the Visitor rules and longer ones need a Student visa.

What do the levels A1 to C2 mean?

They are the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered the language. Schools use them to place students and to describe their courses.

Can I work while on a Short-term study visa in the UK?

No. GOV.UK states that holders of a Short-term study visa cannot work or carry out any business, including work placements.