American Studies and History, BA (Hons)

Overview

The American Studies and History degree at Swansea University offers a unique opportunity to explore the culture, politics, and global influence of the United States, alongside the rich and diverse histories of Britain, Europe, and the wider world. This interdisciplinary program addresses some of the most urgent issues of our time, including globalization, civil rights, and struggles for racial and social justice.

Course Details

• UCAS Code: VT17 (3 Year Full Time), TV71 (4 Year Full Time With a Year Abroad), VT1I (4 Year Full Time With a Year in Industry)
• Mode of Study: Campus Based
• Typical Offer: ABB-BBC
• Location: Singleton Park Campus
• Start Date: September 2026
• Tuition Fees: ｣9,535 (UK), ｣19,300 (International) for the 2026 academic year

Modules

The program is divided into three years, with various compulsory and optional modules.

Year 1 (Level 4)

• Compulsory Modules:
  • Locating American Studies
  • Who Sings America? Literature and Culture of the United States
  • Forging a Nation: US History and Politics
• Optional Modules:
  • From Facts to Fake News: Being a Historian in the Twenty-First Century
  • Global Challenges and the Historian
  • Making Modern Europe, 1789 to the Present

Year 2 (Level 5)

• Compulsory Modules:
  • The Practice of History
• Optional Modules:
  • Europe: Renaissance, Reformation, and Religious War
  • Disunited Kingdom? Class, Race, Gender, and Social Division in Twentieth-Century Britain
  • America in a Nutshell: A History of Pennsylvania from William Penn to Donald Trump
  • The Making of Transatlantic America
  • Race and Ethnicity: American Perspectives

Year 3 (Level 5) - For students taking the Year Abroad option

• Year Abroad (History)

Year 4 (Level 6)

• Optional Modules:
  • History Dissertation
  • American Studies Dissertation
  • Monarchy: Ancient and Medieval
  • The Russian Civil War
  • The Lights that Failed: The League of Nations and International Peace 1919-1939
  • African American Literature: The Harlem Renaissance
  • The Story of the USA on Film and Television
  • Clear and Present Danger: America and Terrorism
  • The American Civil War in History and Memory
  • The Cold War
  • America and the Bomb

Entry Requirements

• A level: ABB-BBC
• BTEC: DMM-MMM
• UK Access: In Humanities or Social Sciences - minimum of 21 Distinctions and 24 Merits at Level 3
• T Levels: Merit
• Mixed Qualifications: 112-128 UCAS Tariff points from 3 highest qualifications
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points

How You're Taught

The program combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and practical sessions, with an emphasis on active participation, collaboration, and the development of both subject-specific and transferable skills.

Welsh Provision

There are opportunities for Welsh speakers to study some elements of this course through the medium of Welsh, but there is not yet enough provision to reach 40 credits in each year.

Meet Your Lecturers

The program is taught by experts in their fields, with a wealth of knowledge to pass on to students.

Tuition Fees

• UK: ｣9,535 for the 2026 academic year
• International: ｣19,300 for the 2026 academic year

Funding and Scholarships

Students may be eligible for funding to help support their study, including scholarships and bursaries.

Additional Costs

Students may face additional costs, including travel to and from campus, printing, photocopying, binding, stationery, and equipment costs.

Careers and Employability

The Careers and Employability Team will support students at each stage of their career journey, helping them build a bright future.

Academic Support

The Centre for Academic Success provides courses, workshops, and one-to-one support in areas such as academic writing, maths and statistics, critical thinking, time management, digital skills, presentation skills, note taking, revision, memory, and exam techniques.

Study Abroad and Global Opportunities

The program offers the opportunity to spend a Year In Industry, in the UK or overseas, giving valuable workplace experience. International summer programs are also available.

How to Apply

Students can apply through UCAS or directly to the university for some programs.

Application Deadlines

The application deadline for the program will be listed on the university's website.

Year in Industry

This course offers 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.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1920 as University College of Swansea
• Received its Royal Charter in 1948, becoming Swansea University
• Consistently ranked among the top 30 universities in the UK
• Home to over 20,000 students from over 140 countries
• Notable achievements include:
  • 2019 Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its work in developing and delivering innovative teaching methods
  • 2018 Times Higher Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
  • 2017 Research Excellence Framework (REF) results showed that 90% of Swansea University's research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent

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Student Life:

• Over 150 student clubs and societies
• Sports teams in a variety of disciplines, including rugby, football, and basketball
• Student support services include:
  • Counseling and mental health support
  • Disability support
  • Financial advice
  • International student support
• Campus facilities include:
  • Bay Campus: Modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including a library, sports center, and student union
  • Singleton Campus: Historic campus with a mix of traditional and modern buildings, including the iconic Singleton Abbey
  • Tycoch Campus: Home to the College of Engineering and the School of Management

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Academics:

• Academic resources include:
  • Over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programs
  • World-class research facilities
  • Extensive library resources
• Faculty:
  • Over 1,000 academic staff, including internationally renowned researchers and industry experts
• Teaching methodologies:
  • Focus on student-centered learning
  • Use of innovative teaching methods, such as problem-based learning and flipped classrooms
• Academic support services:
  • Academic skills workshops
  • Writing center
  • Math and statistics support
• Unique academic programs or initiatives:
  • Swansea Employability Academy: Provides students with opportunities to develop employability skills
  • Swansea University Global: Offers international study and research opportunities

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

• Top 30 UK university
• Excellent teaching and research
• World-class facilities
• Strong industry connections
• Vibrant student life
• Notable alumni include:
  • Michael Sheen, actor
  • Catherine Zeta-Jones, actress
  • Sir Terry Matthews, entrepreneur

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Services:

• Counseling and mental health support
• Health center
• Housing services
• Library resources:
  • Over 1 million books and journals
  • Access to online databases and e-resources
• Technology support:
  • Free Wi-Fi across campus
  • Computer labs and printing facilities
• Career development services:
  • Career counseling
  • Job search assistance
  • Employer networking events