American and Canadian Studies Joint Honours

The American and Canadian Studies Joint Honours program at the University of Birmingham offers students an in-depth and comprehensive exploration of North American history, culture, politics, and society. This interdisciplinary course provides a unique opportunity to study the diverse and dynamic regions of the United States and Canada, fostering critical understanding of their development, identities, and global influence. Students will engage with a broad range of disciplines, including history, literature, politics, and cultural studies, enabling them to develop analytical and research skills highly valued in today's interconnected world. The program emphasizes both historical context and contemporary issues, encouraging students to consider the ongoing social, political, and cultural changes shaping North America today. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and independent research projects, students will examine key themes such as democracy and governance, civil rights movements, indigenous histories, migration, and economic development. The program also promotes language skills and cultural awareness, often offering opportunities for study abroad or work placements that enhance practical experience. Graduates of this joint honours degree are well-prepared for careers in education, public policy, international relations, journalism, and the arts, or for postgraduate study in related fields. The University of Birmingham’s supportive academic community and extensive resources ensure that students receive a stimulating and enriching learning environment. Whether you are passionate about history, politics, literature, or cultural studies, this program provides the ideal foundation to understand and engage with North America’s complex and influential societies.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

First year

You take three foundation courses:

• American History to 1890, which includes examination of social, political and cultural themes
• Literature up to 1890, which analyses literary, visual and film texts
• An introduction to Canadian Studies

Second year

You study history and culture from 1890 to the present and begin to develop your own interests be these political, sociological, literary or multicultural by selecting specialist options from a list that includes:

• American History since 1890
• Twentieth-Century American Literature and Culture

Third year

Joint Honours students on the four-year programmes spend the third year with one of our North American exchange partners. In recent years our students went to the following universities:

• University of Wyoming-Laramie
• University of Iowa
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• University of Virginia
• University of Mississippi
• McGill University
• University of Cincinnati
• Dalhousie University
• Simon Fraser University
• University of Alabama
• Berry College
• Southern Birmingham College
• University of Ottawa
• University of Toronto

While abroad you are free to study a wide range of courses on American and Canadian civilisation topics and to begin research upon your extended essay, which is then completed in the final year of study back in Birmingham. This year abroad counts towards your final degree.

Final year

Your final-year courses are drawn from a wide range of options including Anti-Americanism, a variety of options exploring cross-cultural themes in American and Canadian History, and including courses in Modern and Contemporary Literature and Film. At the very centre of your studies is a Dissertation.

Career opportunities

As well as teaching and research, these programmes equip you for work in government, the media, law, accountancy, advertising, human resources and retail management.

Please read the entry for the other subject you wish to combine with American and Canadian Studies.

Related links

Department of American and Canadian Studies website: www.birmingham.ac.uk/acs

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 80(Grade A) TOEFL iBT® test : 93

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Number of A levels required: 3

General Studies: accepted only on some combinations

Typical offers: AAB-ABB

Additional information:

Typical offer grades are for guidance only, and will depend on the subjects you are combining. Please read the entries for both subjects. Where there is a disparity between the typical offer for Subject A and the typical offer for Subject B, the higher offer should be taken as the usual offer for the combination of the two
Other qualifications are considered.

International Baccalaureate Diploma: 34-36 points

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Birmingham.

The American and Canadian Studies Joint Honours program at the University of Birmingham offers students a comprehensive and multidisciplinary exploration of the history, culture, politics, literature, and society of North America, particularly focusing on the United States and Canada. This program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the historical developments and cultural dynamics that have shaped these countries from colonial times to the present day. Students will engage with a diverse range of topics, including American and Canadian political institutions, social movements, literary traditions, film, and indigenous issues, among others. The curriculum combines modules from History, American and Canadian Studies, and related disciplines, enabling students to develop a well-rounded perspective and critical thinking skills. Throughout the course, students will have opportunities to undertake research projects, attend lectures by leading academics, and participate in cultural events and study trips that enrich their understanding of North American societies.

The program aims to enhance students’ analytical abilities, their understanding of cultural diversity, and their capacity for intercultural communication. It prepares graduates for careers in sectors such as international relations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, journalism, education, and cultural industries. The university’s location in Birmingham, a city with a rich history of multiculturalism and industry, also provides students with valuable internship and professional development opportunities. Typically, the program spans three or four years, depending on whether students choose a standard or sandwich course (with a year abroad or professional placement). Students are encouraged to develop language skills, especially in French or Spanish, which can be advantageous for engaging with North American studies. Overall, the American and Canadian Studies Joint Honours at Birmingham offers a rigorous academic experience aimed at fostering global awareness, intercultural competence, and a nuanced understanding of North American history and society.