American Studies, BA (Hons)

Study the Culture, History and Politics of the United States

Mount Rushmore

Course Overview

To understand the United States, its history, literature, politics, and culture, is to understand the global forces that are shaping today’s world.

American Studies at Swansea University offers you an in-depth exploration of the most influential country of the modern era, from its colonial origins to contemporary challenges. This dynamic degree tackles urgent global issues such as civil rights, racial justice, and the rise of the new right. You will have the flexibility to shape this degree around your interests, whether they be in American popular culture, political activism, media, migration, or foreign policy.

You can also spend a semester or full academic year studying in the United States or Canada, gaining valuable first-hand insight into North American society.

Why American Studies at Swansea?

Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, located in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay, and on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, our American Studies programme is highly regarded by employers.

Our national recognition speaks for itself, as we are currently ranked:

  • 2nd in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2026)
  • 3rd in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2026)
  • 6th in the UK Overall (Complete University Guide 2026), with
  • 100% Overall Satisfaction (NSS 2025)*

*American and Australasian Studies, Q28, NSS 2025

Your American Studies Experience

Our curriculum is broad and flexible, allowing you to explore diverse topics like race and gender, social movements, military history, urbanization, popular music, and political activism. You will benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that brings together history, literature, politics, and visual culture, encouraging you to draw links across disciplines and engage critically with complex themes.

Teaching is shaped by cutting-edge research spanning a broad range of historical and cultural themes; from the aftermath of the American Civil War and the emergence of silent cinema, to the flourishing of African American cultural expression during the Harlem Renaissance. It also explores the complexities of US foreign policy and nuclear power in the 20th century, as well as how contemporary US fiction is being transformed by gaming and digital culture.

There is a strong community that surrounds the programme, with opportunities to join societies, including the student-led American Studies Society, which hosts social and cultural events throughout the year.

The programme includes opportunities to undertake a semester or year abroad, spent in North America or Canada, allowing you to immerse yourself in the cultures you’ll be studying, enhancing your learning and understanding, as well as offering invaluable experience.

This course also offers you the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry, in the UK or overseas, giving valuable workplace experience. The University advocates for only paid placements which on average have a salary of over £20,000. Unpaid placements are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Although securing a placement is the responsibility of the student, we work with a number of organisations who provide a range of placement opportunities. Students are also supported throughout their application journey with advice, guidance and additional resources. If you are unable to secure a placement by the end of the second year of your studies, you will transfer onto the equivalent degree programme.

American Studies Employment Opportunities

    

Modules

We're currently reviewing our curriculum to enhance your learning experience and embed skills that will benefit your future career. This means that some modules may be subject to change.

Entry Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications.

Typical A level Offer

ABB-BBC

American Studies, BA (Hons)

American Studies with a Year Abroad, BA (Hons)

American Studies with a Year in Industry, BA (Hons)