Program Overview

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English Studies MA Program

The English Studies MA program at Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of English language and culture. The program aims to train high-level specialists capable of meeting the specific demands of the labor market in the fields of cultural and intercultural exchange.

Program Structure

The program begins with the study of English Theoretical Linguistics, Literature, Applied Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication. There are also obligatory specialization tracks that give students the opportunity to pursue their own, independent, in-depth research. A select few of the students graduating with an MA will have the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in areas taught in the program either in Hungary or abroad.

Specializations

During the course of study for the MA, students may specialize in one of the following specializations:

• English Applied Linguistics
• English Theoretical Linguistics
• English Language Literatures and Cultures
• English Speaking Cultures and Communication

Career Opportunities

MA-bearing English language and culture experts are sought in the following fields:

• The world of business
• The media
• The translation of books and periodicals
• Diplomacy
• International relations institutes and think-tanks
• Tourism
• Agencies responsible for grant applications
• Local government offices
• The arts

Job Examples

• Journalist
• Instructor of English (not requiring teaching qualifications)
• Project manager at government organizations
• Specialist in diplomatic affairs

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a university bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent college degree) in the fields listed below. Full credit acknowledgement is only given for a bachelor’s degree in English and American Studies. In the case of a BA degree from another field of study, each degree will be considered individually, and transcripts from your BA degree as well as course descriptions will be requested. The applicant must have 50 credits (but at least 38 to enter the program) from the field of English and American Studies.

Language Requirements

Accepted certificates at C1 level (CEFR):

• TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test): 95-120
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0

Documents to Submit with Application

• Online application form
• Secondary school certificate (graduation certificate)
• Bachelor-level degree
• Transcript of records
• CV
• Motivation letter
• Copy of the main pages of the passport
• Copy of application fee payment receipt
• Copy of the Entrance exam fee payment receipt
• Language certificate
• Other: An official English translation of the certificates and the records if the language of the original is not English

Optional Documents for Admissions

• Research Proposal
• Letter of Reference

Application Procedure

The application starts in the online application system. Students need to register in the system, fill in the online application form, upload the required documents, and follow the instructions during the application process.

Entrance Examination and Selection Process

The entrance exam contains a discussion about the motivation of the applicant. Successful applicants must have a good command of English to pass the entrance exam. The format of the entrance exam is an online interview. Ranking is based on the overall evaluation of academic excellence (based on the submitted documents) and the results of the entrance exam.

Program Details

• Title: English Studies MA
• Degree: Philologist in English Studies
• Type: Degree program
• Level: Master
• Accreditation number: OH-FHF/2088-4/2009
• Faculty: Faculty of Humanities
• Institute: School of English and American Studies
• Department:
  • Department of American Studies
  • Department of English Studies
  • Department of English Applied Linguistics
  • Department of English Linguistics
  • Department of English Language Pedagogy
• Webpage:
• Language: English
• Duration: 4 semesters (2 years)
• ECTS credits: 120
• Minimum number of students: 2
• Maximum number of students: 50

Tuition Fees

• EU/EEA students: 3,500 EUR per semester
• Non-EU/EEA students: 3,500 EUR per semester
• Application fee:
  • Early Bird applicants: EUR 100 (non-refundable) between 01/10/2025 - 30/11/2025 and between 01/02/2026 - 31/03/2026
  • Regular application fee: EUR 150 (non-refundable) between 01/04/2026 - 31/05/2026
• Other costs: 100 EUR (Entrance exam fee)

Start Program

• Start date: 01, Sep, 2026
• Deadline for applications - September intake: 31, May, 2026
• Is there a February intake: No

Program Leader

• Dr. János KENYERES, Associate professor

Description

English is the lingua franca, the most important language for communication in the globalized 21st century. It is a fact of life that everywhere experts are needed who not only speak English correctly, but who are also familiar with the societies and cultures of those countries where English is the first language. Experience has shown that an extraordinarily large number of employers seek experts with not merely an excellent command of the language, but also with the ability to make good use of their knowledge of the English-speaking world. The transmission of such cultural knowledge is the foundation of this program.

In this program, students become proficient in understanding and producing academic and media-oriented publications in the fields of English literature, socio-cultural history of the English language-based cultures (especially Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, and Australia), applied and theoretical linguistics, mediating in English and their native language in specialized cultural, economic, and political areas, teaching and transmitting knowledge concerning English literature and linguistics, and English language-based cultures and societies.

The program gives a comprehensive overview of English studies, including literature, linguistics, applied linguistics, and cultural studies. It also enables students to specialize in specific fields of inquiry. Degree holders will have solid skills to conduct independent research, to assess and process relevant information, and communicate their findings according to high academic standards.

Strength of Program

• Students acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills that can be utilized in both private and public sector establishments
• The program offers a broad spectrum of possible specialization pathways
• Level of language proficiency corresponds to C2 level (proficiency) of CEFR
• Students are eligible for admission to PhD programs

Successful Graduates

Successful graduates of the English Studies MA will be awarded a degree in which the following three elements will appear:

• The level of degree the graduate has attained (magister, master; abbreviation: MA)
• The academic discipline the graduate has studied (English)
• The specialization or concentration of study within the MA which the graduate has completed.