COURSE OVERVIEW
Studying American Studies and English Literature involves exploring the culture, history and politics of the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of English literature and creative writing.
Our three-year BA degree opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by helping you to develop transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers.
You will have the chance to study American history, literature, politics and culture, stretching from colonization to the presidency of Donald Trump, and a range of English literature topics from gothic and genre fiction to creative writing.
American Studies at Swansea is ranked number one in the UK for student satisfaction (NSS, Complete University Guide 2018) and English Literature is ranked seventh in the UK for research quality (REF 2014).
WHY ENGLISH LITERATURE AND AMERICAN STUDIES AT SWANSEA?
Based on our stunning Singleton Park campus, in parkland overlooking Swansea Bay on the edge of the Gower Peninsula, American Studies at Swansea is ranked:
- 1st in UK for student satisfaction (NSS, Complete University Guide 2018)
- Top-10 for graduate prospects (Times and Sunday Times 2018)
English Literature is ranked:
- 7th in the UK for research quality (REF 2014)
- Top-15 for graduate prospects (The Times Good University Guide 2018 and The Complete University Guide 2019)
You will have the option of a semester in the USA, further enhancing your student experience and your career prospects.
Over 150 American students study at Swansea each year, giving you access to a ready-made network of contacts with links stretching across the USA.
You will be taught by experienced writers with established reputations whose works have been widely published, broadcast and performed and by academic staff internationally recognized for their research
You can be involved in projects with the Dylan Thomas Centre and the National Theatre Wales.
YOUR ENGLISH LITERATURE AND AMERICAN STUDIES EXPERIENCE
We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your American Studies and English Literature degree to your own interests.
Topics include American film, music, race, gender, migration and urbanization, social, economic and military history, terrorism, or civil rights and political protest; gothic and genre fiction, renaissance literature, national and global literatures, modernity and contemporary writing, 19th century literature, creative writing and professional writing.
Teaching is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme.
You will have an academic mentor for any pastoral and academic support you may need, and both the American Studies Student Society and the English Student Society organise a range of social and cultural events.
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND AMERICAN STUDIES EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Almost 93% of our American Studies Single and Joint Honours graduates are in work and/or further study six months after graduation (92.9% – HESA Performance Indicator sourced from the DLHE survey 2013/14) and American Studies at Swansea is ranked 1st for graduate prospects (The Guardian Good University Guide 2016).
Students on this course typically develop excellent oral and writing skills and you will learn to present your ideas in a range of formats, along with strong research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:
- Education
- Marketing
- Government
- Research
- Events management
