BA (Hons) American Studies at Swansea University

Programme overview

American Studies offers an in-depth exploration of the United States, from its colonial origins to contemporary challenges, covering its history, literature, politics and culture. The degree addresses issues such as civil rights, racial justice and the rise of the new right, and can be shaped around interests in popular culture, political activism, media, migration or foreign policy. Students can spend a semester or a full year studying in the United States or Canada.

Faculty: School of Culture and Communication | Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a classroom-based foundation year, year abroad or year in industry) | Intake: September | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 compulsory modules are 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, plus options such as Making Modern Europe, Politics and the People, The Early Modern World and Hollywood: A History of American Film. Year 2 offers options such as America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania, 1631-2016.

Career pathways

Graduates work in education, marketing and communications, government and policy, media and research, and events and cultural management.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A level typical offer ABB-BBC. BTEC DMM-MMM. UK Access: in Humanities or Social Sciences, a minimum of 21 Distinctions and 24 Merits at Level 3. T Levels: Merit. Mixed qualifications: 112-128 UCAS tariff points from the 3 highest qualifications. International Baccalaureate: 32 points. Foundation-year route (classroom-based, UCAS T70A): A level CDD-DDD, BTEC MMP, T Levels Pass, 80 UCAS tariff points from the 3 highest qualifications, IB 26 points. Extended Project Qualification: an applicant with a predicted grade B or above receives an offer with a one-grade reduction (for example AAB becomes ABB plus EPQ B).

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time undergraduate tuition fee for Welsh, English and other UK students. International fee is shown on the course page. Source

International applicants: GBP 19,300 a year (2026/27). First-year tuition for full-time entry; international fees increase by 3% for each subsequent year of study. Source

Intake: September

Duration: 3 years full-time (4 years with a classroom-based foundation year, year abroad or year in industry)

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