BA American Studies (with a study abroad year)
About this course
BA (Hons) in American Studies (with a study abroad year), an interdisciplinary degree focusing on the history, literature, politics, and culture of the United States. Core topics include Research Methods. The course includes a compulsory year abroad and an optional foundation year. The first year introduces foundational subjects through Early American History, Literature and Culture, Introduction to American Studies, Modern American History, Literature and Culture, and Sussex and America. The second year examines specific themes through compulsory modules such as Genres in American Literature, Theoretical Concepts in American Studies, and American City, alongside optional choices covering Latin American cinema, slavery, and US politics. The final year centers on the compulsory American Studies Dissertation and Research Communication, supported by optional modules exploring topics from Hollywood cinema to African American literature and race.
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 or BBB IB: 32 points
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What students say
Based on about 14 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 91%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 94%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 73%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 9 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 15%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Sales occupations: 20%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 55 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 57%
- South East: 27%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 10%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Early American History, Literature and Culture
- Introduction to American Studies
- Modern American History, Literature and Culture
- Sussex and America
- Genres in American Literature
- Theoretical Concepts in American Studies
- American City
- 1661: Slavery in English America
- 1959 Havana: Revolution in Latin America
- Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Trends and Movements
- Picasso to Kahlo: Transatlantic Dialogues
- Pop Life: After Modern Art
- States of Disunion: Power, Polarisation and Protest in US Politics
- American Studies Dissertation and Research Communication
- City on a Hill: Faith and the American Project
- Freedom Now! The African-American Freedom Struggle After 1945
- Race and Ethnicity in Popular Cinema
- Topics in African American Literature
- Visualising War: Image, Media, and Culture
- America in the 21st Century
- American Empire
- American Studies in Practice
- American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen
- Hollywood Industry and Imaginary
- Queer Fictions
- Race, Photography, Archives
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA American Studies (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £33,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £28,000 and £41,000. The £33,000 median after five years is £3,500 more than the UK median for American and Australasian studies.
What do graduates of BA American Studies (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA American Studies (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex?
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 (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
Does BA American Studies (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory year abroad.
How many students continue on BA American Studies (with a study abroad year) at University of Sussex?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.