BA American Studies and History,
About this course
BA in American Studies and History, an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree examining United States culture, politics, and history alongside broader historical developments. Core topics include Research Methods. Students can undertake a history or American studies dissertation in the final year. The first year introduces American studies foundations through compulsory modules such as Locating American Studies, Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States, and Forging a Nation: US History and Politics. The second year focuses on historical practice via The Practice of History, alongside optional modules covering topics from transatlantic America to European history. The final year offers advanced independent research through dissertations in history or American studies, complemented by optional modules exploring subjects such as the Cold War, the American civil war, and political thought.
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.
See the highest paying Languages & English degrees in the UK →
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 37 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 91%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 94%
- Organisation and management: 95%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 85%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 84%
- Gained a higher qualification: 2%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 70%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Secretarial and related occupations: 15%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Media Professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 70%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 45%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 245 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 2%
- West Midlands: 7%
- East of England: 4%
- London: 8%
- South East: 11%
- South West: 16%
- Wales: 48%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Access course: 2%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Modules
- Locating American Studies
- Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States
- Forging a Nation: US History and Politics
- From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century
- O Ffeithiau i Newyddion Ffug: Bod yn Hanesydd yn yr Unfed Ganrif ar Hugain
- Global Challenges and the Historian
- Heriau Byd-eang a'r Hanesydd
- Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present
- Creu Ewrop Fodern, 1789 hyd y Presennol
- The Practice of History
- Europe 1500-1650: Renaissance, Reformation and Religious War
- Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain
- The Anglo-Norman World, 1066-1225
- The Past in the Present: Exploring Heritage Practice and Debates
- Medicine and the Modern World, 1800 to the Present
- Britain in the Early Middle Ages: Slavery, Dragons, Queens and Vikings
- History Work Placement
- The Rise and Fall of the Russian Empire
- The Global First World War
- 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
- Re-Thinking the South: Southern Culture and History, 1865-1955
- American Word / American Image
- The Story of America on Film and Television, 1607-1867
- Stori America Ar Ffilm a Theledu, 1607-1867
- History Dissertation
- Monarchy: Ancient and Medieval
- The Russian Civil War
- The Lights that Failed: the League of Nations and International Peace 1919 -1939
- The Hungry World: Food, Famine and the End of Empire, 1880-1945
- The Placing of History: Digitally Mapping the Historic Past
- From Machiavelli to Mussolini: Government and Society in Western Political Thought
- The Reign of King John, 1199-1216: Misrule and Magna Carta
- The First Crusade: Devotion, Piety and Power in the Latin Christian World
- A History of Sex and Gender
- The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939
- African American Literature 1910-1940: The Harlem Renaissance
- 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
- America and the Bomb
- American Studies Dissertation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA American Studies and History, at Swansea University earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £21,500 after 3 years, £26,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £22,000 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 and History, at Swansea University do next?
85% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA American Studies and History, 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 and History, at Swansea University?
The average entrant had 119 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA American Studies and History, at Swansea University?
84% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.