What type of Master’s is it?

The Master in Advanced English Studies: Languages and Cultures in Contact, run by the University of Salamanca and the University of Valladolid, is an accredited program designed according to the academic criteria of the European System of Higher Education. The Master’s program consists of 60 credits and takes one academic year to complete. Classes are held at the University of Salamanca during Fall semester, and at the University of Valladolid in the Spring semester. The Master’s program enables students to pursue a PhD by providing the required coursework previous to writing a PhD dissertation. It constitutes the pre-requisite coursework for the PhD program that has been distinguished by the Spanish Ministry of Education for its Quality of Excellence. The Master’s program aims to meet the challenges of a modern global society and rests on the conviction that advanced knowledge of the English language, as well as the Anglo-American culture and literature, is a vital element in the modern world in which different cultures are more and more politically, economically, and technologically interconnected.

The goals of the Master’s program are to enable students to acquire the necessary competencies and skills characteristic of an advanced, specialized, and interdisciplinary education. It is oriented towards the formation of specialists in the areas of English language and linguistics, and Anglo-American literature and cultural studies. The program allows access to the PhD program as well as prepares students for the demanding standards of the international job market.

Do I have to apply to and register at both universities?

No, it is necessary to apply for and register at one of the two universities only.

Where and when do I apply?

Where and when do I register?

How much is tuition?

Tuition prices for the 2012-2013 academic year are listed below. Updated tuition prices will be posted in June.
Total price of Master’s (60 credits): 2436 €
First Fee: 40,60 € per ECTS
Second re-take: 74,42 € per ECTS
Third and following retakes: 74,42 € per ECTS

What professional opportunities does this Master’s enable?

This Master’s enables multiple options for professionals in the field of education (university and high school), translation, cultural management, tourism, publishing, film, counseling and linguistic and cultural mediation, management, literary criticism, and journalism.

The Master’s program offers a wide range of career opportunities to:

• Specialists and researchers, future academics in English language and linguistics
• Educators specializing in culture, literature and English language
• Specialists in English Language and English and American culture
• Specialists in the design and development of teaching materials
• Language advisors
• Translation Specialists
• Advisors at the Center for Intercultural Education Resources (CREI)
• Advisors in intercultural education and educational projects
• Advisers in international cultural projects with the United States, Britain and other English-speaking countries
• Intercultural mediators in cultural contexts (bilateral U.S./Spain, UK/Spain)
• Advisors for editorial publications and cultural promotion within Castile and Leon
• Editorial advisers in cultural magazines
• Intercultural Advisors for national and international official or private organizations (NGOs),
• Literary critics and film critics

How long is the program?

The Master’s program consists of 60 credits and takes one academic year to complete. Classes are held at the University of Salamanca during Fall semester, and at the University of Valladolid in the Spring semester. The Master’s Thesis defense will take place either at the end of June or at the beginning of September.

Where are classes held?

At the University of Salamanca classes are held in Anayita, room 17. View Master In Salamanca in a larger map

At the University of Valladolid classes are held in Seminario 2, Departamento de Filología Inglesa, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. View Master in Valladolid in a larger map

Where can I find the Schedule of Classes?

The Schedule of classes is published in June and is updated throughout the year.

Are classes in the morning or afternoon?

In general, classes are held in the morning Monday through Friday.

Is it inconvenient to be registered in one master’s but take classes in two different Universities?

No, quite the opposite. This Master’s provides a great opportunity to get to know different study and university environments within the same program. It is not necessary for students to change residences, as it is relatively easy to get from one campus to another with public transportation. The Universities are close enough to each other to be able to commute back and forth within the same day.

Train Schedule: Renfe
Bus Schedule: Estación de Autobuses.

Is attendance mandatory?

Yes, this is an on-site master’s program so attendance is mandatory. Students must have all absences excused. In extreme cases, students may opt for an option to take partial classes remotely. The students who are not able to regularly attend classes must submit a series of additional assignments and complete at least two interviews with the professor, one of which will be after submitting all work.

Are there entrance exams or language tests?

There are no entrance exams for the Master’s. Students are accepted based on previous education, experience and other professional and academic merits.

Students do, however, need to demonstrate language proficiency. Undergraduates of English Studies or Translation (with English as primary language) are not required to take a language test if the average grade of completed English courses is at least “Notable”. No testing is necessary if the applicant is able to provide documentation of their language level (i.e. Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate, Proficiency, TOIC, etc.).

Students who cannot provide language level certification must complete an interview and will be asked to write an admission essay in English.

Do non-native Spanish speakers need to prove Spanish language proficiency?

No, it is not necessary to prove Spanish language proficiency, but students should have some knowledge of the Spanish language in order to navigate administrative tasks and procedures.

What do students need to do who have international degrees granted by a University pertaining to the European System of Higher Education?

Students who hold an international degree from a University pertaining to the European System of Higher Education (EEES), need to present all of the admittance documents, plus a certificate from their university (legally translated into Spanish) specifying that their degree enables them to pursue a master’s degree.

Countries within the EEES:
http://economicas.ua.es/es/documentos/varios/paises-eees.pdf

What do students need to do if they have an international degree that NOT granted by the European System of Higher Education?

Students who hold an international degree from a University that does NOT belong to the European System of Higher Education, need to apply for the Official Recognition of their Degree at the University of Salamanca (Equivalencia). Students need to complete both the admittance applications as well as the Degree Recognition forms (Equivalencia) in order to be admitted to the Master’s.  Unless the student has not completed the Degree Recognition process or if they do not already have the official recognition of their degree from the Spanish Ministry of Education, they will not be able to complete registration.

What is an “Equivalencia” and how do I apply for it?

At the University of Salamanca:

Degree Recognition for the University of Valladolid:

Can I enroll part-time?

Are there scholarships associated with the Master’s?

Are there scholarships associated with the Master’s?

All scholarship information is listed in scholarships

How can I find housing and accommodation?

For housing and accommodation information, please see the Student Services page (Servicios de Orientación al Estudiante de la Universidad de Salamanca), which can be viewed in Spanish, English, German, Portuguese and French.
Also the Area of Social Affairs at the University of Valladolid offers a webpage with housing and apartment listings: http://ipa.uva.es

Important tips:
Many landlords require a deposit equivalent to one month's rent in case of unforseen damages. Students must ask whether the cost of the building maintance is included in the rent, and if they include heating costs. It is good to know if the heat is detached, gas, diesel or electric and whether it is included in the cost of rent or shared utility costs. In winter the tempatures drop very low in Salamanca and Valladolid, so heating costs may rise to about 100-200 euros a month extra.

Medical Insurance
Most people have to provide proof of medical insurance before they come in order to get their Visas. Once they get here, they can go for cheaper options, however. Mapfre offers full coverage with no co-pays for 40 euro a month (this is super cheap compared to U.S. prices). Going to the doctor without medical coverage costs about 50-70 euros per visit depending on the doctor/specialist.

What is a Final Master’s Thesis?

All students will present a Final Master’s Thesis at the end of the program. In order to present, students must have passed all courses previous to the presentation. Each student must choose a thesis advisor from the department to direct and mentor the process.
A Final Master Thesis consists of writing and publicly defending an original investigation. Presentations are either at the end of June, or at the beginning of September.

IF I already hold a master’s degree, or have professional experience can I get recognition of credits?

Yes. Have a look at Recognition and Transfer of Credits for Professional Experience, Previous Master’s and Other Degrees