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Studies & Degrees in English Language and Literature (in Language Schools)

English courses at language schools teach English as a foreign language to people who need it for study, work or travel. They are not degree programmes. A school places each student by level, teaches in groups or one-to-one, and accepts stays that range from one week to most of a year. Many students combine a course with accommodation arranged by the school.

This page covers private language schools and university language centres. University degrees in English language and literature are a separate subject.

What students learn

Courses follow the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners to C2. A general English course works on speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar and vocabulary. Around it, schools build more specific courses:

  • Exam preparation for Cambridge English Qualifications, IELTS or TOEFL
  • Academic English and pathway programmes for university entry
  • Business and professional English
  • Summer schools for children and teenagers
  • One-to-one tuition, also in the teacher's home
  • Training for teachers of English

The schools in the directory show the range. The English Language Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia runs an Intensive English Program that prepares students for study at an American university. SKOLA in London is a summer school for ages 5 to 17. Living Learning English, based in Bristol, places students in the home of their teacher. Gateway School of English (GSE) in Malta lists general, business and exam preparation courses. International House Dublin, founded in 1998, offers a student residence and homestay.

Exams and levels

A school gives its own certificate at the end of a course. Universities, employers and immigration authorities usually ask for an external exam instead:

  • Cambridge English Qualifications: separate exams by level, from A2 Key and B1 Preliminary to B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency.
  • IELTS: a test jointly owned by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge University Press & Assessment, widely used for university admission and migration.
  • TOEFL: the test of ETS, which states that it is recognised by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries.

Students should ask the university or authority which exam and score it accepts before they choose a preparation course.

Accreditation

Each country has its own quality scheme, and it is a useful first check on a school:

  • United Kingdom: the British Council accredits English language schools; English UK is the national association of the sector and represents accredited providers. Anglo-Continental in Bournemouth, for example, is British Council accredited and a member of English UK.
  • United States: the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialised accrediting agency for English language programmes. Drexel's English Language Center holds this accreditation.
  • Canada: all member schools of Languages Canada must be accredited under its quality assurance scheme.
  • Malta: schools are licensed by the ELT Council, which counts 31 licensed schools in Malta and Gozo and more than 85,000 foreign students a year.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 147 active schools for this subject. The United Kingdom has 62, the United States 22, Spain and Ireland 16 each, Canada 12 and Malta four. Chile has three, Argentina and France two each, and Belgium, Iraq and Portugal one each.

Visas for an English course

Rules depend on the country, the length of the course and the student's nationality. The points below come from the official sites, consulted in October 2026:

  • United Kingdom: a course of up to six months at an accredited institution can be taken as a Standard Visitor. For an English course of more than six and up to 11 months there is the Short-term study visa. It costs £228, plus a healthcare surcharge that usually costs £776, and it does not allow work.
  • Ireland: depending on the length of the course and the nationality, students apply for a short-stay or a long-stay visa. Anyone who stays longer than 90 days must register after arrival.
  • Canada: no study permit is needed for a programme that lasts six months or less.
  • United States: language students follow the student visa process that EducationUSA describes.

Whether a visitor visa or entry authorisation is needed for a short course depends on the nationality, so students should check the government site of the country before booking.

What the language is used for

Most students take a course with a concrete aim: a score for university admission, a level required by an employer, or a migration requirement. A language course is not a professional qualification in itself. Teaching English normally requires a specific teaching certificate or a degree.

Frequently asked questions

Which English exam do universities ask for?

It depends on the university. IELTS, TOEFL and the Cambridge exams B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are the common options; the university's admission page states which ones it accepts and the minimum score.

Do I need a visa to study English in the UK?

For a course of up to six months, study is allowed as a Standard Visitor. For a course of more than six and up to 11 months, students apply for the Short-term study visa, which costs £228 plus the healthcare surcharge, according to GOV.UK in October 2026.

How do I know if an English school is reliable?

Check its accreditation: the British Council in the UK, CEA in the United States, Languages Canada in Canada or an ELT Council licence in Malta.