Course summary
This four-year BA American Studies and International Relations degree with a year in industry, opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by giving students transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. Studying International Relations and American Studies involves exploring the culture, history and politics of the United States, the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of global and regional politics and economics. It addresses some of the most pressing issues in our contemporary world, including globalization and the struggles for racial justice. You will have the chance to study American history, literature, politics and culture, from colonization to the present, and a range of international relations topics from globalization and global institutions to human rights and political economy. You can shape the degree to your own interests, whether in US popular culture and political protest or political theory and international peace and conflict. You also have the chance to study for a year or a semester in the United States, discovering the subject first hand. American Studies at Swansea is ranked: • 1st in the UK for Graduate Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025) • 1st in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025) • 2nd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025) International Relations at Swansea is ranked: • Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025) The degree includes the option of studying in the United States for a semester or a year, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects. You will have the competitive option of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with an Assembly Member. The breadth of American Studies and History fosters transferable skills valued by employers, including creative thinking, critical awareness, team working, and advanced oral and written communication skills. American Studies and History graduates are known for their adaptability and creativity because the course requires students to make connections between disciplines and traditions. Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including: • Education • Marketing • Government • Research • Events management
Modules
In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Introduction to American Studies, Introduction to International Relations, An Introduction to American History and Politics, Introduction to American Literature and Culture, War and Peace in the Nuclear Age In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations, Globalisation, The State and Political Institutions, Global Justice and Human Rights, International Security You will have the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experiencing different cultures. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year In your final year you will complete an independent dissertation project or you have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the Sennedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament. You will also complete. You will also typically study areas including: The Russian Civil War, The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939, Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness, Capitalism and Justice, Digital Futures
Assessment method
Throughout your undergraduate International Relations and American Studies with a Year in Industry BA (Hons) degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing. We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include: • Reading diary • Literature/ article review • Case study • Critical review For a full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page or get in touch with us at [email protected].
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- LT2T
- Institution code:
- S93
- Campus name:
- Singleton Park Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are an International Student, please visit our International pages for more information about entry requirements: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/international/students/requirements/
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
A level - BBB
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English we require a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) and no less than 5.5 in each component.
English Language Requirements at Swansea University
https://www.swansea.ac.uk/admissions/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP