Our four-year single honours American Studies degree will give you a grounding in the history, culture and literature of the US, from colonisation through to contemporary times.
The course includes a full year in North America as a part of your degree programme.
At Manchester, we train our students to be attentive to the counter-currents of US history and literature, and our course places a particular emphasis on the themes of race, capitalism, sexuality, the cultures of labour, political protest and the environment.
You will master the approaches and t...
Our four-year single honours American Studies degree will give you a grounding in the history, culture and literature of the US, from colonisation through to contemporary times. <br/><br/>The course includes a full year in North America as a part of your degree programme. <br/><br/>At Manchester, we train our students to be attentive to the counter-currents of US history and literature, and our course places a particular emphasis on the themes of race, capitalism, sexuality, the cultures of labour, political protest and the environment. <br/><br/>You will master the approaches and tools found in several academic disciplines, including cultural theory, history, visual studies, literature and politics. <br/><br/>You will learn how to analyse and interpret a wide range of texts and materials, including historical documents, films, manuscript collections, literary works, visual and marketing campaigns, and musical works. <br/><br/>Years 1 and 2 will give you a wide knowledge of US politics and history, and American literature and film, and will familiarise you with concepts such as: <br/><br/><br/>- mass incarceration; <br/><br/><br/>- inequality; <br/><br/><br/>- racial stratification; <br/><br/><br/>- poverty; <br/><br/><br/>- the logics of policing; <br/><br/><br/>- the changing nature of work and leisure; <br/><br/><br/>- radical organising; <br/><br/><br/>- military power; <br/><br/><br/>- cultural imperialism; <br/><br/><br/>- climate change; <br/><br/><br/>- urban politics; <br/><br/><br/>- conspiracy theories; <br/><br/><br/>- gender and sexuality; <br/><br/><br/>- literature and film analysis.<br/><br/><br/>Upon returning to Manchester from your year abroad, you will be able to choose from an extensive range of advanced modules, while also completing a substantial piece of independent research.
1 option available
Some courses vary and have tailored teaching options, select a course option below.
Course Details
Information
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
4 Years
Start Date
22/09/2025
Campus
Main Site
29 January
Application deadline
Provider Details
Codes/info
Course Code
T702
Institution Code
M20
Points of Entry
Year 1
Not Accepted
Two Advanced Highers at AB, plus one additional Higher at A in relevant subject (see A-level subject requirements). English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
D:39,M:6
We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. The specific course requirements are a minimum of 39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels. Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.
35
35 points overall, with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects.
DDD
We consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Dist, Dist, Dist, in a humanities-related subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of G
DD
We consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.
AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.
DD
We consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics .
Not Accepted
Two Advanced Highers at AB, plus one additional Higher at A in relevant subject (see A-level subject requirements). English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
D3,D3,M2
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken. Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, D3, M2 in the Pre-U and AAB at A level in three distinct subjects. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB at A-level plus the Extended Project at Grade A.
D
We consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades AA; one of which must be in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.
D
We consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
DD
We consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.
D
We consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades AB, one of which must be in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics.
A,A,B
Grades AAB to include an essay-based subject such as English, History or Politics. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB at A-level plus the Extended Project at Grade A. A-level exams should be taken at the same sitting, after no more than two years of study. If you have studied an advanced curriculum, where the examinations are spread over three years, consideration of an offer will be at the discretion of the admissions tutor. We may also require further information, in order to make an informed judgment on your application. Typical Contextual Offer: Grades ABB to include an essay-based subject such as English, History or Politics. General Studies is welcomed but not normally included as part of the standard offer. The
The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
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Region | Costs | Academic Year | Year |
---|---|---|---|
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Republic of Ireland | £9,535 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |
EU, International | £26,500 | 2025/26 | Year 1 |