BA American Studies,
About this course
BA in American Studies, an interdisciplinary arts and humanities degree centred on the history, literature, politics, and culture of the United States. Core topics include Research Methods. The course culminates in a final-year independent research project. Starting with the foundations of the subject, the first year features compulsory modules such as Locating American Studies, From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century, Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States, and Forging a Nation: US History and Politics, alongside optional modules like Hollywood: A History of American Film. The second year offers a wide range of optional study areas including Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives, America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump, and a History Work Placement. The final year centres on the American Studies Dissertation as a compulsory module, alongside optional modules such as The American Civil War in History and Memory, The Cold War, and America and the Bomb.
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-BBC IB: 32 points
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What students say
Based on about 8 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 70%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 100%
- Learning resources: 76%
- Student voice: 79%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 35%
- Working and studying: 45%
- Further study: 10%
Most common jobs
- Secretarial and related occupations: 15%
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Media Professionals: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 325 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 3%
- West Midlands: 6%
- East of England: 6%
- London: 11%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 13%
- Wales: 47%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 5%
Modules
- Locating American Studies
- From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century
- Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States
- Forging a Nation: US History and Politics
- Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present
- Politics and the People
- The Early Modern World, 1500-1800
- Hollywood: A History of American Film
- America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania from William Penn to Donald Trump, 1631-2016
- The Making of Transatlantic America
- Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives
- Rhyfel Cartref America
- America in Crisis: From the Tet Offensive to Trump
- Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation
- Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-1955
- American Word / American Image
- History Work Placement
- The Story of America on Film and Television, 1607-1867
- Stori America Ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1607-1867
- The Global First World War
- Contemporary Wars and Conflicts
- American Studies Dissertation
- African American Literature 1910-1940: The Harlem Renaissance
- The Lights that Failed: the League of Nations and International Peace 1919 -1939
- The Story of the USA on Film and Television, 1865-2008
- Stori yr Unol Daleithiau ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1865-2008
- Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism
- The American Civil War in History and Memory
- The Cold War
- Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump
- America and the Bomb
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA American Studies, at Swansea University earn?
The median salary is £28,000 after 15 months, £22,000 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,500 and £32,000. The £26,500 median after five years is £3,000 less than the UK median for American and Australasian studies.
What do graduates of BA American Studies, at Swansea University 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, at Swansea University?
91% 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 Swansea University?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA American Studies, at Swansea University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.