Degree Programmes

Degree programme in a nutshell

Our Master in English Philology is a perfect fit for a proficient English speaker interested in language and how it works in communication who would like to get an insight into literary and cultural studies while being part of an international group and enhancing their intercultural awareness and skills.

Philology means the study of language and texts. The English philology programme helps students increase their language competence to the highly proficient level (C2 according to the European Framework/CEFR) and deepen their expertise in all key areas of English studies: linguistics, literature, and studies in British and American culture. This research-informed master programme also provides students with opportunities to develop their academic and research skills, guiding them through their Master’s thesis project. Linguistic courses will take you beyond the everyday experience of language use to explore the principles that shape the ways language functions in informal as well as professional situations, reflects and builds relations between their participants, and characterizes the speakers and the society they belong to. Although the focus is on contemporary English, you will also delve into the essentials of historical grammar and language change. In literary courses you will investigate the topics and trends in modern British and American literatures and cultures, acquiring the necessary tools for an analysis and interpretation of literary texts in the classes of literary criticism. Besides hands-on academic experiences offered by the Master thesis seminar, the programme also caters for those who want to enrich their studies with a professional experience of a practical placement, facilitating internships in an English-speaking professional environment. The development of intercultural awareness and skills is supported by international mobility opportunities offered by Erasmus+ programme within the EU and VIA – Ostrava University mobility programme funding student study stays outside the EU.

What do we expect from you?

The Master in English Philology is open to B.A. degree holders only but not necessarily to the graduates of a B.A. programme in English specifically. You are expected to be an advanced English language user achieving a high-level competence both in speaking and in writing (C1 in CEFR/6.5 in IELTS academic/90 in ToEFL iBT/110 in Duolingo English Test); the knowledge of the Czech language is not required. It is important to have acquired basic academic skills and to be motivated for studies, developing your own plans and expectations. The English language competence, academic skills, and motivation are checked as part of the admission requirements.

What will you learn?

You will acquire knowledge and competences necessary for professional work with language, text analysis and text production, and for working in an international environment:

• you will increase your English language competence to the level of proficiency (C2 in CEFR) developing your communication skills in a variety of domains;
• you will get acquainted with an array of approaches to text analysis and learn how to employ them to be able to reveal the text structure, function, and the layers of meaning for its critical reading and interpretation; the development of the text reception skills will enhance your text production skills;
• you will build a specialized linguistic knowledge of the language system and its development in time as well as the ability to recognize, read, and understand basic Old English and Middle English texts;
• you will learn specialized linguistic and literary terminology enhancing your capacity to study professional texts and to use an appropriate academic language in your own writing;
• you will be able to characterize the prominent topics and trends in contemporary Anglophone literatures and cultures as well as to analyse and interpret literary texts from various points of view;
• you will be well versed in contemporary lines of linguistic and literary research and relevant research and study resources;
• last but not least you will improve your communication skills, including the ability to present and defend arguments, and your intercultural awareness.

How will the degree equip you for the job market?

The comprehensive philological expertise is an appreciated equipment for a wide range of professions in research, education, language industry, cultural institutions, business, international conference services, tourism, or international relations and development cooperation. With the proficient level of English as today's global lingua franca, the graduates find job positions in corporate, public, as well as non-profit institutions and organisations in the Czech environment as well as across the globe.

Specific position

• researcher/research assistant
• book editor, copy editor, literary agent
• copy writer
• international officer
• public relations specialist
• communication manager
• tourism manager
• embassy officers
• EU institution assistant
• education manager
• conference manager
• language teacher/proofreader

Admissions procedure

Department coordinating your studies

• Department of English and American Studies

Contacts

• General questions on studies and the admissions procedure will be answered at Student Office.
• Questions from applicants with specific needs (e.g. a disability) will be answered by our Centrum Pyramida.
• Do you need advice on what else you could study or which studies are most suitable for you? Contact our Counseling and Career Centre.