BA International Relations and American Studies,
About this course
BA in International Relations and American Studies, a combined degree exploring global politics, international relations, and the historical and cultural influence of the United States. Core topics include Research Methods and Policy Analysis. The curriculum covers both international relations and American studies through structured academic progression. The first year introduces foundational themes through compulsory modules such as Locating American Studies, International Relations in a Changing World, Forging a Nation: US History and Politics, and War and Peace in the Nuclear Age. The second year develops analytical capabilities through compulsory study in Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations and Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation. The final year focuses on advanced investigation through Researching Politics 1. Optional modules across the degree allow specialisation in areas such as American history, film, literature, international security, political theory, and regional conflicts.
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.
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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
- Administrative occupations: 20%
- Natural and social science professionals: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- 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
- International Relations in a Changing World
- Forging a Nation: US History and Politics
- War and Peace in the Nuclear Age
- Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present
- Creu Ewrop Fodern, 1789 hyd y Presennol
- Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States
- Politics and the People
- Disinformation, Ideology, and Bias: Researching and examining political data
- The Colour Line: Race and Racism in World Politics
- Critical Reasoning
- Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations
- Global Justice and Human Rights in the Age of Globalisation
- Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain
- Philosophy of the Enlightenment
- The State and Political Institutions
- Investigating Gender
- Devolution, Policy Making and Social Change
- The Global First World War
- A Matter of Life and Death: Exploring Existential Philosophy
- Contemporary Moral Controversies
- The History of Political Thought
- International Security
- Global Summit Simulation
- Contemporary Wars and Conflicts
- British Politics and Public Policy
- The Global South in International Relations: Diplomacy, Development, and Resistance
- 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
- 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
- Researching Politics 1
- American Studies Dissertation
- Dissertation
- Senedd Cymru/The Welsh Parliament
- The Russian Civil War
- Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness
- Parliamentary Studies
- Capitalism and Justice
- Genocide
- The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939
- The Philosophy and Politics of Identity
- Digital Futures
- Shadow Wars: US Presidents and covert action from the Cold War to Trump
- Researching Politics 2
- Global Environmental Politics
- 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
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA International Relations and 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 £7,500 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA International Relations and 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 International Relations and 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 International Relations and American Studies, at Swansea University?
The average entrant had 100 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA International Relations and American Studies, at Swansea University?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.