American Studies (3 Years) at University of Manchester - UCAS

University of Manchester

Degree level: Undergraduate

American Studies (3 Years)

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded

Find out more about the TEF

Course summary

Our three-year BA American Studies course will give you a grounding in the history, culture, and literature of the US, from colonisation through to contemporary times. 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 and political protest. You will master the approaches and tools found in several academic disciplines, including cultural theory, history, visual studies, literature, and politics. You will also learn how to analyse and discuss a wide variety of materials. 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:

mass incarceration;

inequality;

racial stratification;

poverty;

the logics of policing;

the changing nature of work and leisure;

radical organising;

military power;

cultural imperialism;

climate change;

urban politics;

conspiracy theories;

gender and sexuality;

literature and film analysis.

You will also have the option to study abroad for a period in Year 2. In Year 3, you will be able to choose from one of the richest selections of American Studies units in the country while completing a substantial piece of independent research.

How to apply

29Jan

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:: T701

Institution code:: M20

Campus name:: Main Site

Campus code:: -

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - ABB

Grades ABB to include an essay-based subject such as English, History or Politics. 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 for 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 BBB to include an essay-based subject such as English, History or Politics. 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 for 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.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM

Access to HE Diploma - D: 30 credits M: 15 credits

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 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 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.

Scottish Higher

We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject. 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.

AS

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - Not accepted

Scottish Advanced Higher

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 34 points

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)

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.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - D3, M2, 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, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB 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.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

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 GCSE/iGCSE English Language. Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - Not accepted

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DM

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - 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 B an essay-based subject such as English or History, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate - D

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme: Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B. Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve ABB in academic subjects and grade A in the EAP with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B. Please read this in conjunction with our A-level requirements, noting any pre-requisite subjects.

Additional entry requirements

Interview

We only interview students studying alternative qualifications to the A level syllabus, for example students studying Access courses and students that may have been out of education for some time.

English language requirements

Test	Grade	Additional details
IELTS (Academic)	7	7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component.

All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either: - GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or; - IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or; - An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Acceptable English Language Requirements

https://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

Go onto work and study

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

Fees for entry in 2025 have not yet been set. For entry in 2024 the tuition fees were £9,250 per annum for home students, and are expected to increase slightly for 2025 entry.

Provider information

Visit our website

University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL

Course contact details

Visit our course page

Directorate for the Student Experience

[email protected]

View address on Google Maps

Location	Qualification	Study mode	Duration	Start date	Apply
Main Site	BA (Hons) - Bachelor of Arts (with Honours)	Full-time	3 years	22 September 2025	Available to Apply	Course option c875492e-b724-4718-9331-140d633f843c