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English majors delve into the study of language, literature, and cultural expressions worldwide through diverse mediums. They examine everything from classic texts and historical documents to performing arts, cinema, television, and online platforms, developing sharp analytical and communication abilities along the way. Our distinguished faculty ranks among the university's top educators. Graduates enter varied professional fields including legal practice, healthcare, business consulting, and education. In recent years, our alumni have particularly excelled in marketing and digital communications. The program requires 13 courses: 6 foundational classes plus electives, including the mandatory Junior Research Seminar (English 200) and 4 upper-level seminars, some potentially fulfilling core requirements. This structure provides academic freedom while maintaining rigorous training in literary traditions and critical analysis.
International applicant should have completed a program of secondary education that would enable you to enter a university in your own country (e.g., A-levels, Abitur).
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose families do not speak English at home, or applicants who have not attended a high school or secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English, are asked to take the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, administered by the Educational Testing Service. In the event the TOEFL is not readily accessible, Penn will accept results from the IELTS, the International English Language Testing System.