American Studies

American Studies at the University of Kent offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the United States, its history, culture, politics, and society. This programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of American life through a combination of historical analysis, literary studies, cultural critique, and contemporary issues. Students will engage with a diverse range of topics including American history, literature, film, politics, and popular culture, gaining critical insights into the development of American identities and institutions. The course encourages students to consider the complex social, economic, and political factors that have shaped the United States from its colonial beginnings to the present day. Through a mix of lectures, seminars, and independent research projects, students will develop not only a deep factual knowledge but also key analytical and communication skills applicable in a variety of careers. The programme emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and research skills, preparing graduates for careers in education, media, public policy, international relations, and beyond. The University of Kent's location and partnership networks provide unique opportunities for experiential learning, internships, and engagement with American culture and institutions. The programme also offers pathways for postgraduate study, enabling students to further specialize in areas such as American literature, history, political science, or cultural studies. With a flexible modular structure, students can tailor their studies to match their interests and career aspirations. Overall, American Studies at Kent is an ideal choice for students passionate about understanding the United States in its historical depth and cultural diversity, and who wish to develop a range of skills in a supportive academic environment.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline As early as possible Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 28 September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

Credits 360

• Total Kent credits: 360
• Total ECTS credits: 180

Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

• EN303 - Introduction to American Studies
• HI390 - The Emergence of America:From European Settlement to 1880
• HI391 - The Rise of the United States Since 1880
• HI426 - Making History: Theory and Practice
• HA314 - The Shock of the Now: Themes in Contemporary Art
• HA315 - The Shock of the Now: Themes in Contemporary Art
• HA361 - Introduction to Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
• HA362 - Introduction to Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
• EN331 - Readings in the Twentieth Century
• EN332 - Writing America
• EN333 - Romanticism
• FI313 - Film Form
• FI315 - Introduction to Film Theory
• PO327 - Introduction to Comparative Politics

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

• EN665 - American Studies: Topics in the 20th Century
• EN675 - Declaring Independence: 19th Century US Literature
• HA681 - Pixelated World: The Digital Revolution
• FI595 - Film Genre (Horror)
• FI599 - The Gothic in Film
• FI611 - New York & The Movies
• EN695 - Empire, New Nations and Migration
• PO617 - Contemporary Politics and Government in the United States
• HI742 - The Cold War, 1941-1991
• HI5023 - The American Civil War Era 1848-1877
• HI763 - How the West was Won (or lost): The American West in the Nineteenth Cen
• HI795 - Inviting Doomsday: US Environmental

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

• HI560 - American Studies Extended Essay
• PO616 - The Politics of Trust (in the USA)
• HI747 - The Cold War, 1941 - 1991
• PO617 - Contemporary Politics and Government in the United States
• SO594 - Terrorism and Modern Society
• HI796 - Inviting Doomsday: US Environmental
• HI5024 - The American Civil War Era 1848-1877
• FI582 - New York and the Movies
• FI584 - The Gothic in Film
• EN701 - The Global Eighteenth Century
• EN703 - The 'Real' America: Class and Culture in the American Gilded Age
• EN705 - The Contemporary Memoir
• EN709 - Animals, Humans, Writing
• EN710 - Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence
• EN588 - Innovation and Experiment in New York, 1945- 1995
• EN623 - Native American Literature
• EN653 - Semester Abroad A
• EN654 - Semester Abroad B
• EN658 - American Crime Fiction
• FI615 - Film Genre (Horror)
• HA682 - Pixelated World: The Digital Revolution
• EN676 - Cross-Cultural Coming-of-Age Narratives
• EN667 - Harlem to Hogan's Alley: Black Writing in North America

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6 CAE score : 75(Grade B) TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test : 85

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

take an IELTS test. More About IELTS

Requirements

Passing the Kent IFP guarantees you entry onto the first year of this degree programme.

Offer levels

A/AS level 320 points (3 A level equivalents) inc BB at A level, IB Diploma 33 points or IB Diploma with 16 points at Higher inc 5/6/6 in HL English A1/A2/B for T700 and 5 in HL History or 6 in SL History for T701.

Required subjects

• History (T701): A level History grade B.
• Literature (T700): A level English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B.

In order to enter directly onto a degree course. you also need to prove your proficiency in English, and we ask for one of the following:

• average 6.5 in IELTS test, minimum 6.0 in reading and writing
• a TOEFL score of at least 580 including 4.0 reading and writing (paper-based test) or 85 including 19 reading and writing (internet-based test)
• grade C in Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
• grade B in Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English
• international GCSE English as a first language grade C; as a second language grade B.

We also accept some school English certificates.

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 Kent.

American Studies at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of the multifaceted history, culture, politics, and society of the United States. This interdisciplinary programme is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of American life, focusing on key themes such as identity, diversity, consumerism, democracy, and global influence. The course curriculum combines history, literature, political science, cultural studies, and media analysis to offer a well-rounded perspective on America's development and its impact on the world. Students have the opportunity to examine historical events, social movements, and contemporary issues while engaging with a variety of primary sources, texts, and multimedia resources.

The programme is structured to allow students to tailor their studies according to their interests, combining core modules with optional courses in areas such as American literature, film and media, politics, and cultural history. It also emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and research methodologies, preparing graduates for careers in academia, journalism, international relations, public policy, and the arts. The University of Kent’s close links with institutions and organizations in the United States provide additional opportunities for internships, exchanges, and guest lectures, enhancing practical experience and cultural understanding.

Students benefit from a vibrant academic community with access to dedicated faculty members who are experts in American Studies, along with contemporary resources such as libraries, archives, and digital collections. The university’s location in Canterbury offers a peaceful yet accessible environment for study, with the broader UK and European regions providing further cultural and historical context for learning about America. The programme aims to produce graduates who are well-informed, critically engaged, and globally minded, ready to contribute meaningfully to various professional fields or further academic research.