What qualifications do you need?

At least one A Level (or equivalent) in English Literature, English Language or History. Another useful subject is Politics. Minimum grades and other requirements vary with each institution. So, always check the entry requirements for the universities/courses you're particularly interested in.

What degrees can you study?

BA (Hons) in American Studies Examples of joint courses include: Film and American Studies American and Canadian Studies and English Literature History and American Studies Examples of areas of study in a course include: American history American literature American political culture American music Photography and visual culture American material culture African-American history American slavery

Study American Studies, why & how to study

Q: Why study American Studies?

If you feel torn between literature and history degree options, American Studies will give you the ability to develop all your intellectual passions without having to choose one area. You'll approach issues that have been at the heart of the American experience – ethnicity, class, gender and sexuality – and explore central themes like civil rights, the idea of freedom, migrant and immigrant experiences, conformism and rebellion, and American foreign relations.

Q: What jobs can you get as an American Studies graduate?

Popular career choices for American Studies graduates include in journalism, publishing, finance, marketing, advertising, media and culture and heritage sectors. Many students go on to further study, and pursue careers in teaching and law.

Q: How will you be assessed?

Assessments usually take the form of coursework and end-of-semester written examinations. You may have more creative forms of assessments, such as video essay projects or audience surveys. Courses usually include a compulsory or optional dissertation project in the final year of study.

Q: What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate taught and research programmes in American Studies, or related areas such as Film and American Studies, American History, American Literature and Culture, are available as both full- and part-time courses. Some UK universities offer collaborative research programmes with American universities.

American Studies explores all parts of life in the Americas, from literature and history to politics and popular culture.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Cicely Oliver 31 Jan 2025

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What’s American Studies?
What American Studies degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto an American Studies degree?
What topics does an American Studies degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study American Studies?
What do American Studies graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as an American Studies graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to American Studies
Have any questions?

What’s American Studies?

America remains a prominent global force in the twenty-first century, with American culture, companies and geopolitical decisions dominating our lives.

American Studies as a subject dissects, deciphers and delves into the inner workings of this significant world power. It looks beyond the boundaries of the United States and incorporates the wider Americas, the Caribbean, the Transatlantic, the Transpacific and beyond.

What American Studies degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in American Studies offer a wide variety of approaches to the subject:

American Literature with Creative Writing BA
Film and Television Studies and American Studies BA
Politics and American Studies BA
American Studies/Applied Criminology BA
Spanish and Latin American Studies MLang (integrated master’s in Languages)

Couse options can include an integrated foundation year or a year of studying abroad.

What do you need to get onto an American Studies degree?

Entry requirements will depend on the university you’re applying to, ranging from 90 to 160 UCAS points. The range of qualifications are as follows:

A Levels: AAA–CCC
Scottish Highers: AAAAA–ABBBB (or BBC for Advanced Highers)
International Baccalaureate: 36–27
Universities may require a qualification in an essay-based subject like English literature or history, or Spanish if taking Latin American Studies

What topics does an American Studies degree cover?

Modules will depend on the specific American Studies course, but may include:

American literature
American politics and society
Research skills
Creative writing
Consuming film and television
The making of the modern world
Introduction to the Portuguese-speaking world

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module. Examples include:

Coursework
Exams (not a requirement of all degrees)
Essays, reviews, commentary, or reflective writing
Group and individual presentations
Audience surveys or a portfolio of written or digital work
A dissertation completed in the final year

Why study American Studies?

An American Studies degree will give you an insight into American culture, as well as the chance to gain a raft of transferable skills useful in any job.

Career-specific skills:

Critical understanding of America’s politics, history and culture
Cultural awareness and sensitivity

Transferable skills:

Critical thinking
Communication skills
Ability to analyse contemporary issues
Developing and leading presentations
Creative and analytical writing
Collaborative teamwork skills
Time management

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What do American Studies graduates earn?

American Studies graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £19,000–£23,000.

As your career progresses, your average salary will depend on the sector you’ve entered. It could range from £35,500 if you’re a journalist or periodical editor, to £75,500 if you become a marketing or sales director.