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Studies & Degrees in English Philology

English philology is the university study of the English language, its literature and the cultures of the English-speaking countries. It is not a language course: students are expected to use English at an advanced level and then analyse how the language works and what has been written in it. In Spain, where most of the schools listed here are located, the bachelor's degree is now usually called Grado en Estudios Ingleses (English Studies). The older name survives in university departments, such as the Departamento de Filología Inglesa that teaches on the degree at the Universidad de Jaén.

The syllabus has three strands. The first is the language itself, with a second foreign language alongside it: French or German at the Universidad de Alcalá, French at the Universidad de La Rioja. The second is linguistics: the Universidad de Alcalá lists the description and analysis of the phonological, lexical, morphological, syntactic, semantic and pragmatic levels of English, together with the history of the language. The third is literature and culture, studied through methods of textual analysis.

Qualifications and levels

  • Bachelor's degree (grado). Official Spanish bachelor's degrees have 240 ECTS credits, taken over four years. At the Universidad de Jaén the 240 credits are divided into 60 of basic training, 114 compulsory, 60 optional and a 6-credit final project.
  • Specialisations. Most programmes let students choose a track in the later years. The Universidad de Jaén offers three mentions (applied linguistics, literature and cultural studies, and English for international communication), each requiring at least 36 optional ECTS credits in that area. The Universidad de La Rioja has two specialities and Universitat Jaume I has three itineraries: culture and literature, English in professional contexts, and teaching and learning English.
  • Master's degree. Official master's degrees in Spain have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The one that matters most to graduates in this subject is the master's degree in secondary school teaching, which has 60 credits and is a legal requirement to work as a secondary school or official language school teacher in Spain. Applicants must also prove a B1 level in a foreign language.

Language of instruction varies. The Universidad de Alcalá and the Universidad de Jaén list both Spanish and English as teaching languages, the Universidad de La Rioja lists English, French and Spanish, and Universitat Jaume I states that its degree is taught entirely in English. The universities describe a recommended starting level: at least an intermediate level of English at Alcalá, a minimum of B1 at Jaén. B1 is the third step of the six-point CEFR scale, which runs from A1 to C2. International applicants should ask each university which certificates of English and of Spanish it accepts.

Where to study English philology

SpainExchange lists 17 active schools for English philology: 16 in Spain and one in the United Kingdom. The Spanish schools are universities spread across the country, among them the Universidad de Alcalá near Madrid, the Universidad de Jaén and the Universidad de Cádiz in Andalusia, the Universidad de La Laguna in Tenerife, the Universidad de La Rioja in Logroño, Universitat Jaume I in Castellón de la Plana, the Universidad de Murcia and the Universidad de Extremadura.

The degrees at Alcalá, Jaén, La Laguna and La Rioja are taught face to face. Group size differs between universities, so it is worth comparing the number of first-year places, the second language on offer and the exchange agreements with universities in English-speaking countries before applying.

Careers

Teaching is the most common destination. The Universidad de La Laguna describes language teaching, in the school system and outside it, as the most traditional occupation of its graduates, and the Universidad de Jaén says that their professional horizon centres on teaching and on fields that require a special command of the language, such as proofreading and literary criticism in publishing houses. The Universidad de Alcalá adds linguistic and cultural mediation, media advice, international relations, tourism and cultural management.

Translation and interpreting are a further option, often after specific training. In the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and employment in the occupation is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035. The same source projects little or no change in the employment of high school teachers over that period, and notes that teachers in public schools need a state-issued certification or licence.

Frequently asked questions

Is English philology the same as English Studies?

In Spain, largely yes. The current official bachelor's degree at the universities cited here is called Grado en Estudios Ingleses, and it covers the language, linguistics and literature that the term philology refers to.

How long does the degree take?

An official Spanish bachelor's degree has 240 ECTS credits and takes four years. A master's degree adds 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits.

What level of English do I need to start?

The universities cited here recommend at least an intermediate level: the Universidad de Jaén mentions a minimum of B1. Part or all of the teaching is in English, so a higher level makes the first year easier.

Can I teach English in a Spanish secondary school with this degree?

Not with the bachelor's degree alone. Secondary school teaching is a regulated profession in Spain and requires an official master's degree of 60 credits in teacher training.