Course Overview

Understanding the history of the world’s foremost superpower at this fascinating moment of crisis and change is more essential than ever. 

On this four-year course, you’ll explore American History, from colonial beginnings to global superpower. You’ll follow the American story from the Revolution through the years of slavery and Civil War, the conquest and settlement of the West, the development of modern society, to Cold War and global influence today. The course helps you explore how the United States has projected power and ways this has seen protest and dissent, at home and abroad. You’ll explore Native American history, the world of enslaved communities, the struggles of Black civil rights activists, the American political and legal systems, and U.S. foreign relations.

By the end of your degree, you’ll know the history of America in depth and have a keen understanding of the way the modern world has been shaped by this nation. 

This version of the course also gives you the opportunity to enormously enhance your employability by spending your third year in a work placement.

About

You’ll develop your skills as a historian through comprehensive study of one of the most intriguing and influential nations in the world.

You’ll have the chance to study with internationally renowned academics working in Native American, African American, gender, legal, political, and foreign relations and international history. You’ll gain a detailed knowledge of the founding of the American nation, Indigenous history and culture, the workings of the U.S. government and legal system, Black freedom struggles, the Cold War, and America’s role in the world.

The course will allow you to pursue your own interests and tailor your studies around your specialism, while spending 9-12 months of your third year in a placement, gaining invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice.

Whichever path you choose through your studies, our American History degree will provide you with a thorough understanding of how America has shaped and been shaped by the world around us. You’ll learn about the relationship between culture and politics, while gaining an in-depth knowledge of the forces that transform societies and forge nations. An American History degree will not only provide you with the analytical tools to better comprehend the United States, but also to grapple with the key political and social issues that shape our world today. 

Placement Year and Study Abroad

Want to graduate with professional experience? On this course, you will normally spend 9-12 months of your third year* in a placement, gaining invaluable work experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. You will be expected to seek your own work placement, and will be supported in doing so by UEA’s Career Central Service and your School. Support for you to find your placement will start early in the first year and will be tailored to the particular needs you will have at various stages of the process.

The field in which you will do your placement will depend on your own interests, and some of the preparatory workshops will help you have a clearer idea of what these are, what your values are, and which career they may lead to. American History graduates go into a wide range of sectors, and so placements can be done in fields such as heritage, business, the public sector, creative industries and many more. We will, however, require that the tasks you will conduct as part of your placement meet the required learning outcomes and are complex enough to help you develop a range of skills that you will be able to translate and use during the final year of your degree and your post-graduation career.

*Placements may be shorter on some occasions, or take place during different years of the degree, but this has to be agreed by the Placement Director and Learning and Teaching Services.

Have a business idea? If you have an idea you think would make a great business, you may be able to turn your Placement Year into a ‘Year in Enterprise’*. Your idea (business plan, budget etc.), motivation and academic record would have to be assessed by our team. Should you be given the go-ahead, you could use the year to start your businesses in a structured and supportive environment, accessing numerous training courses and extensive mentoring.

*Note that if you’re studying with us on a Student Visa, you can’t currently undertake a Year in Enterprise due to Visa rules.

This version of the degree gives you the opportunity and support to greatly enhance your employability by securing and undertaking a year-long placement in the third year of your degree. Find out more about this exciting opportunity on our 'Placement Years in Arts and Humanities' page.

Employability

After the Course

As an American History graduate, you’ll be well placed to enter a wide range of professions and sectors. Undertaking in-depth research, studying abroad, and working across disciplines will give you skills that employers regard highly. You’ll develop into an expert researcher and communicator, skilled in analysing data, and good at working in a team. 

Careers

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

Examples of careers you could enter include: 

Civil Service 
Law 
Journalism 
Financial services 
Publishing 
Teaching

Discover more on our Careers webpages.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

BBB If you are taking an EPQ and three A-levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer alongside an A in the EPQ.

T Levels

Not accepted.

BTEC

DDM See below for accepted subjects and combinations

Contextual Offer

A Level – BCC

BTEC L3 Extended Diploma – DMM

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

Scottish Highers

AABBB

Scottish Advanced Highers

CCC. A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable

Irish Leaving Certificate

2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3.

International Baccalaureate

GCSE

You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.

English Foreign Language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading): 

IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5  in all components)

We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study: 

Interviews

Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS Hub. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required, the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time. 

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.  We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application. 

Intakes

This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.

Additional Information or Requirements

BTEC Combinations

Extended Diploma: DDM

Diploma: DD plus B at A-level

Extended Certificate: D plus BB at A-level

Foundation Year

If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year programmes such as - BA American Studies with a Foundation Year

Contextual Admissions

UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.

We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, or are taking a combination of qualifications, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.

Admissions Policy

Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.

International Requirements

We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:

International Foundation in Humanities and Law

International Foundation in Business Economics Society and Culture

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

View our information for Tuition Fees.

Scholarships and Bursaries

We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.

Course Related Costs

You are eligible for reduced fees during the year abroad. Further details are available on our Tuition Fee pages.

There will be extra costs related to items such as your travel and accommodation during your year abroad, which will vary depending on location. 

Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs. 

How to Apply

Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub. 

UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.

Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started. 

Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.

The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.

View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:

How to apply through UCAS

BA (Hons) American History with a Placement Year

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