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Studies & Degrees in English Courses



English courses teach English as a foreign or second language to people who did not grow up speaking it. They are run by private language schools, university language centres, public language schools and colleges, and they range from a one-week holiday course to a full academic year. Unlike a degree in English philology, an English course does not study literature or linguistics. Its aim is practical: to move the learner up a level in speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Levels are normally described with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Cambridge English summarises it as a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. Schools place new students with a test and group them by level.

Types of course

The Australian government's study portal gives a classification that most schools around the world follow:

  • General English, which focuses on communication skills, especially speaking and listening
  • English for Academic Purposes (EAP), which prepares students to follow a course of study taught in English
  • English for Specific Purposes, practical spoken and written English for a professional field such as business, health, law or tourism
  • Exam preparation for tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or the Cambridge English exams

Schools also offer junior summer programmes, one-to-one lessons, online classes and courses for teachers of English. In the United States, courses run from beginner level to advanced courses for students preparing for academic study or employment, according to EducationUSA, and some colleges and universities offer bridge or pathway programmes in which students improve their English while earning credit towards a degree.

Exams and certificates

A language school gives its own certificate of attendance and level. That is not an official qualification, so students who need proof of level for a university or a visa take an external exam. The main ones are:

  • IELTS Academic, aimed at people planning to study in a country where English is spoken. IELTS General Training is for those who want to migrate to an English-speaking country or to train or study below degree level.
  • TOEFL iBT, which its owner, ETS, states is recognised by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries.
  • Cambridge English Qualifications such as B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, each tied to a CEFR level.

Where to study

SpainExchange lists 34 active schools for English courses. Nine are in the United Kingdom, eight in Spain, eight in the United States, three in Ireland and two in Australia; Canada, Germany, Poland and Trinidad and Tobago have one each.

In the United Kingdom the list includes Bournemouth City College, on the south coast of England, the Edinburgh School of Language, which prepares students for Cambridge exams and IELTS as well as teaching General English, and the NW Academy of English in Derry. In Ireland it includes Delfin English School in Dublin, the Atlantic School of English & Active Leisure in West Cork and the Griffith Institute of Language, which states that it is validated by ACELS, the Irish accreditation service for English language teaching. In the United States, English is taught both by private schools, such as the International Academy of English, and by universities such as Tennessee Tech University and Auburn University at Montgomery. Melbourne City College Australia teaches English alongside vocational courses. Langdons Language Institute in Trinidad and Tobago runs immersion programmes for students from Latin America.

Learning English without going abroad is also possible. In Spain the list includes private academies such as British School Tarragona and Languages4Life in Barcelona, and universities such as the Universidad de Alcalá. Spain also has a public network of official language schools (escuelas oficiales de idiomas, EOI) with 471 centres, which teach from basic level (A1-A2) to proficient level (C1-C2), according to the Spanish Ministry of Education.

Visas for a course abroad

Rules depend on the country and on the student's nationality, and they change, so always check the official page. The United Kingdom is a clear example (checked on 8 October 2026). Courses of up to 6 months can be taken as a Standard Visitor; depending on nationality, a visitor may need a visa or an electronic travel authorisation first. For an English course that lasts longer than 6 months and up to 11 months there is a Short-term study visa: it costs £228, applicants must be 16 or older, the course must be at an accredited institution, and work of any kind is not allowed. In Australia, students on ELICOS courses (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) have the same protections as other international students.

Frequently asked questions

Is a language school certificate enough to enter university?

Usually not. Universities ask for an external exam such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or a Cambridge English Qualification, and each sets its own minimum score.

Do I need a visa to take an English course in the United Kingdom?

That depends on nationality and course length. Courses of up to 6 months fall under the Standard Visitor rules; courses longer than 6 months and up to 11 months need a Short-term study visa.

Can I work while taking an English course abroad?

It depends on the country. The UK Short-term study visa does not allow paid or unpaid work. Check the official immigration page of the country before booking.