BA American Studies
About this course
BA American Studies, an American studies degree examining the history, literature, politics, and culture of the United States. Students complete a compulsory year abroad and have the option of taking a placement year. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as A Global Nation: Power, Politics, and Struggle Across the American Century, 1870-2020, Introduction to American Literature to 1900, American History to 1877: Columbus to Civil War, Twentieth Century American Literature, and Introduction to American Studies. The second year builds on this with compulsory studies including From Jamestown to James Brown: African-American History and Culture and American Cultural Studies, alongside optional choices like American Film Studies, Cold War America, 1950-1991, Work and Play in the USA, 1880-2020, American Literature and Social Criticism, 1900-Present, Twentieth Century African American Literature, and The American Civil War. The final year centres on a compulsory Long Essay, complemented by optional modules covering topics such as Slavery and the Old South, America Abroad: Non-State Actors and the Making of a World Power, Love American Style, History of California, Conspiracy Theories in American Culture, Harlem and the State of Urban America, Climate Change & Culture Wars, American Hauntings, and James Baldwin in Context: Race, Sexuality and Activism.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: ABB including one essay based subject
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What students say
Based on about 28 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 89%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 93%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 20%
What graduates do next
Based on about 110 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 64%
- Working and studying: 9%
- Further study: 8%
- Unemployed: 11%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 13%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 13%
- Elementary occupations: 12%
- Administrative occupations: 9%
- Sales occupations: 4%
- Find their work meaningful: 79%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 39%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 330 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 36%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 7%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 3%
- London: 32%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 5%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- A Global Nation: Power, Politics, and Struggle Across the American Century, 1870-2020
- Introduction to American Literature to 1900
- American History to 1877: Columbus to Civil War
- Twentieth Century American Literature
- Introduction to American Studies
- From Jamestown to James Brown: African-American History and Culture
- American Cultural Studies
- American Film Studies
- Cold War America, 1950-1991
- Work and Play in the USA, 1880-2020
- American Literature and Social Criticism, 1900-Present
- Twentieth Century African American Literature
- The American Civil War
- Long Essay
- Slavery and the Old South
- America Abroad: Non-State Actors and the Making of a World Power
- Love American Style
- History of California
- Conspiracy Theories in American Culture
- Harlem and the State of Urban America
- Climate Change & Culture Wars
- American Hauntings
- James Baldwin in Context: Race, Sexuality and Activism
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA American Studies at University of Manchester earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £26,000 after 3 years, £32,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,500 and £39,500. The £32,000 median after five years is £2,500 more than the UK median for American and Australasian studies.
What do graduates of BA American Studies at University of Manchester do next?
81% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA American Studies at University of Manchester?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA American Studies at University of Manchester?
The typical offer is ABB at A level. The average entrant had 144 UCAS points.
Does BA American Studies at University of Manchester include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA American Studies at University of Manchester?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.