Course Overview

Understanding America in the 21st century is more essential now than ever. Studying the world’s most significant superpower at this fascinating moment of crisis and change opens up a panorama of academic and career options.

American Studies at UEA is one of the most well-established and highly regarded departments of its kind in the UK, with a long heritage of researching and teaching all aspects of life and culture in the United States. You’ll be taught by scholars undertaking cutting-edge research in the fields of American literature, history, politics and cultural studies. And having chosen from a broad range of modules exploring the history, literature, politics and culture of the United States, you’ll enhance your understanding of them with a year spent studying abroad.

About

On our American Studies degree you’ll study the United States from literary, cultural and historical perspectives. Through the exploration of great novels, landmark historical events, original documents, film, comic books, music, photographs and paintings, you will gain detailed knowledge of the key moments and debates that have shaped the United States. You’ll get to grips with race, gender, civil liberties, and politics in America and examine how U.S. power has been projected around the world. And you’ll explore a range of aspects of American culture, from the popular to the avant-garde.

You’ll also gain first-hand experience by spending your third year in the U.S. before returning to UEA to complete your degree in your fourth year. You could also add a comparative dimension to your understanding by studying in Canada, or spending one semester of your year abroad in Australia, New Zealand, or Hong Kong and the other semester in the U.S.

Whichever path you choose through your studies, this degree will provide you with a comprehensive 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. The interdisciplinary approach at the heart of an American studies 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

You’ll spend your third year studying abroad. Our Year Abroad programme has been running for more than 30 years and is one of the largest in the UK for American Studies. We have a wide range of partner universities and colleges across the US and Canada - from New England to California, Alaska to Louisiana, Vancouver to Ottawa. We also have a great number of partner institutions in Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand where you can experience American Studies from a Pacific Rim point of view.

Your time abroad will be an invaluable academic and cultural experience, one that most students consider to be the highlight of their time at university.

For further details, visit the Study Abroad section of our website.

Employability

After the Course

As an American Studies graduate, you’ll be well placed to enter a wide range of professions and sectors. You’ll graduate as an expert researcher and communicator, skilled in analysing data, and good at working in a team. Working across disciplines, studying abroad, and undertaking in-depth research will give you key skills that are highly regarded by employers in fields such as publishing, law, journalism, financial services, the civil service, marketing and advertising, the cultural industries, teaching or lecturing, public relations and research.

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:

Creative and cultural industries
Law
Journalism
Teaching
Civil service
Marketing and advertising

Discover more on our Careers webpages .

Entry Requirements

A Levels

ABB 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 – BBC

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

AAABB

Scottish Advanced Highers

BCC A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable

Irish Leaving Certificate

3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3

Access to HE Diploma

Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 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 website.

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 Studies with a Year Abroad

Why you should choose us

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