- UCAS course code
- VT17
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA History and American Studies
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Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: VT17 / Institution code: M20
- Key features:
Study abroad
- Typical A-level offer: AAB including specific subjects
- Typical contextual A-level offer: ABC including specific subjects
- Refugee/care-experienced offer: ACC including specific subjects
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer: 35 points overall with 6,6,5 at HL including specific subjects
Overview
Course overview
- Combine training in History with an immersion in the interdisciplinary field of American Studies.
- Engage with a range of American literature, history, film, politics, and popular culture.
- Pursue, in parallel with American Studies, the study of diverse historical periods, themes, cultures and sub-cultures.
- Ranked top 10 in the UK for History by the QS World Rankings by Subject 2024.
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- 0161 509 2871
- ug-hist@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/history/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Related courses
- History BA (3 years)
- English Literature and American Studies BA (3 years)
- American Studies BA (3 years)
- American Studies BA (4 years)
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
AAB to include A in History. General Studies is welcomed but is not normally included as part of the standard offer.
The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB with an A in History at Alevelplus the Extended Project at Grade A.
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.
We accept native language A Levels provided they are taken in the same sitting as your other subjects
Contextual offer
ABC to include A in History. General Studies is welcomed but is not normally included as part of the standard offer for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.
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.
Refugee/care-experienced offer
AS-level
Unit grade information
The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit information where available. Like all other information provided by applicants this may be taken into consideration when assessing your application. Unit grades will not normally form part of an offer conditions.
GCSE
Minimum of grade C/4 in English Language and Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate
35 points overall. 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects (including 6 in History)
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
Advanced Highers History at grade A, plus AABB in Scottish Highers in distinct subjects.
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 please contact ug-eac@manchester.ac.uk
Welsh Baccalaureate
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.
European Baccalaureate
We normally require 80% with a mark of at least 8.0 in History.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme. Please contact us for further advice.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Dist, Dist, Dist, plus one A-level at Grade A in History.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A in History.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade A in History, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades AA; one of which must be in History.
The University of Manchester welcomes applications from students who have achieved legacy BTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the BTEC Extended Diploma, BTEC Diploma, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and BTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new BTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): we do not consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry to this course.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in History.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): 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 A in History, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades AB, one of which must be in History.
The University of Manchester will consider applications from students who have achieved legacy CTEC qualifications (pre-2016) such as the CTEC Extended Diploma, CTEC Diploma, CTEC Subsidiary Diploma, and CTEC Certificate. The grades required are likely to be the same or vary similar to the new CTEC qualifications (first teaching 2016, awarded 2018). Please contact the Academic School for clarification.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Access to HE Diploma
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 39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in History.
Cambridge Pre-U
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.
We accept Pre-U grade D3 in place of A Level grade A or Pre-U grade M2 in place of A Level grade B.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.
T Level
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB with an A in History at A level plus the Extended Project at Grade A.
Core Maths
The University recognises the value of Level 3 Core Mathematics qualifications. Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer we make. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider a student's application, particularly for courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element that does not require A Level Mathematics. Academic Schools may also choose to take a student's performance in Core Mathematics into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.
Where a course requires applicants to have at least grade 6/B or higher in GCSE Mathematics we would be likely to consider a pass in Core Mathematics at a minimum grade C or B as an alternative way to fulfil this requirement. Where an A Level in Mathematics is required then Core Mathematics will not be accepted in lieu of an A Level.
A Level and GCSE Mathematics requirements for our courses vary according to subject so we advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether a student's portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry onto the chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
Non-standard educational routes
Mature students are some of our most well-equipped learners, bringing skills and attributes gained from work, family and other life experiences. Students come from a whole array of backgrounds, study every kind of course, undertake full-time and part-time learning and are motivated by career intentions as well as personal interest. There is no such thing as a typical mature student at Manchester.
The application process is the same as for other prospective undergraduates. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of the qualifications you hold please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to. Further information for mature students can be found here ( http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/mature-students/ )
English language
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. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Relevant work experience
Not required - however, if you have been on Camp America or other summer schools, this would provide an excellent background for BA History and American Studies.
Fees and funding
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £26,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Scholarships/sponsorships
- Find out more from student finance
- Eligible UK students can apply for bursaries and scholarships
- Funding for EU and international students is on our country-specific pages
- Many students work part-time or complete a student internship
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
In addition to good grades in History, we wish to see evidence of extra-curricular involvement in and enthusiasm for these subjects and evidence of skills in communication, organisation, independent research, critical analysis and teamwork.
How your application is considered
Interview requirements
We don't normally interview for this degree, except in the case of mature applicants. In considering your application, all the information on the UCAS form is taken into account, particular attention being paid to academic qualifications and predictions, to your referee's confidential report, and to your personal statement.
Returning to education
We welcome applications from mature candidates. Where appropriate, mature applicants are called for interview and/or invited to submit written work. Your qualifications to date will be considered, along with the length of time since you were last studying for a qualification - applicants need to have been in education within the last five years. If it is any longer than five years since you were last in education we may require you to take an Access Qualification and invite you along for interview.
If you are on an Access course, you will be considered individually and we will ask to see some of your recent written work.
If you have other qualifications (eg Vocational A levels, Open University) you will be considered on an individual basis and you are recommended to contact our Admissions Administrator.
Deferrals
All Deferred applications are assessed on the same basis as applications for the current year of entry.
We do ask applicants to let us know as early as possible if they are intending to defer. This helps us to adjust the number of offers we make, in order to achieve the required number of students in a given year.
Policy for applicants who resit their qualifications
The University will consider applicants who have re-sat their final examinations but we may require further information in order to make an informed academic judgment on your application.
Re-applications
Course details
Course description
"Studying a broad range of modules on the History and American Studies degree has definitely enabled me to become an effective teacher.
Alongside the wide array of History modules, American Studies modules broadened my awareness of other significant cultural texts. I now find myself referencing such material in a range of lessons-allowing for an interdisciplinary style in my teaching, and hopefully more engaged students. Exposing young people in state education to ‘cultural capital,' to widen their opportunities after leaving school was the main reason that I pursued this career. My degree in History and American Studies provided the perfect training to do that."
Sam Nero / BA History and American Studies Alumnus, Secondary History Teacher
BA History and American Studies will allow you to examine the history of the USA from colonisation through to the present-day.
The course will train you in the methods of American Studies and the skills of historical scholarship. You will also be given the opportunity to study aspects of history that interest you most, from ancient, medieval, modern, and economic and social history, to the history of science, technology and medicine.
The University of Manchester was the home of the first Department of American Studies in the UK, and you will be taught by one of the largest concentrations of US historians in the country.
Our areas of specialisation range widely from the European colonisation of the Caribbean in the 17th century, through to the development of US racialized slavery, America's Cold War strategy, and the history of US sport in the late 20th century.
You will be taught by political, intellectual, social, and cultural historians, gain advanced historical skills, such as those of analysis, debate, and argument, and acquire an appreciation of the historiographical debates that have shaped American and world history.
These skills will be refined further through the study of a wide corpus of materials that includes musical scores, diplomatic memoranda, and political cartoons, and through the composition of essays and a final-year dissertation.
Students on this course are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities for study abroad, especially with our partner institutions in North America and Europe. Find out more about our North American partners and European partners .
Special features
Placement year option
Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.
Connect with like-minded students
Join the History Society, which plays a key role in building a community among History students at Manchester by organising trips (in the UK and on the continent), hosting social events, and coordinating the student magazine, The Manchester Historian .
You can also join the University of Manchester American Studies Society (UMASS), which organises social events and cultural activities with an American theme.
Teaching and learning
Teaching takes the form of tutor-led sessions, lectures and seminars.
You will spend approximately 12 hours a week in formal study sessions.
For every hour spent at university, you will be expected to complete a further two to three hours of independent study.
You will also need to study during the holiday periods.
A significant part of your study time will be spent reading, taking notes, preparing presentations and writing essays (which examine aspects of a subject in greater depth).
Classroom time is frequently supplemented by new media, such as the virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
You will also have access to other digital resources to support your learning. For some course units you'll join in group work and other forms of collaborative learning.
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed in various ways, including:
- written and oral examinations;
- coursework essays;
- research reports;
- practical tests;
- learning logs;
- web contributions.
Many course units are assessed through a mixture of techniques.
In your final year, you will write a dissertation.
Your second-year work counts toward 33% of your final degree result. Your third-year work accounts for the remaining 67%.
Course content for year 1
Start building your knowledge of US history, from its formation in the late 18th century through to the end of the Cold War.
You can also take optional units in other historical periods and contexts, alongside several units on the key themes and critical debates within the field of American Studies.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Global Nation: Power, Politics, and Struggle Across the American Century, 1870-2020 | AMER10002 | 20 | Mandatory |
| American History to 1877: Columbus to Civil War | AMER10211 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to American Studies | AMER10501 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to American Literature to 1900 | AMER10021 | 20 | Optional |
| Twentieth Century American Literature | AMER10312 | 20 | Optional |
| Constructing Archaic Greek History | CAHE10011 | 20 | Optional |
| From Republic to Empire: Introduction to Roman History, Society & Culture 218-31BC | CAHE10022 | 20 | Optional |
| The Odyssey | CAHE10101 | 20 | Optional |
| Cities and Citizens | CAHE10232 | 20 | Optional |
| Discoveries and Discoverers: Sights and Sites | CAHE10281 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
Choose from units covering US history, literature, film and politics, as well as a wide selection of options from other historical periods and contexts.
You can also apply to spend some of your second year abroad in the US and Canada. The course holds more than 20 exchange partnerships with institutions across North America, including North Carolina State, University of Illinois, Rutgers University and the University of Toronto.
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Essay | AMER20022 | 20 | Mandatory |
| From Jamestown to James Brown: African-American History and Culture | AMER20141 | 20 | Mandatory |
| American Film Studies | AMER20072 | 20 | Optional |
| American Cultural Studies | AMER20331 | 20 | Optional |
| American Literature and Social Criticism, 1900-Present | AMER20481 | 20 | Optional |
| The American Civil War | AMER21002 | 20 | Optional |
| Uncle Tom's Cabin as Global Media Event | AMER22662 | 20 | Optional |
| The Conquering Hero: The Life, Times and Legacy of Alexander The Great | CAHE20042 | 20 | Optional |
| The Roman Empire 31BC - AD313 Rome's Golden Age | CAHE20052 | 20 | Optional |
| Politics and Society in Classical Greece | CAHE20061 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
Tailor your course to the historical topics and debates that most interest you.
As well as selecting from a series of advanced courses within American Studies, you will write a compulsory long essay on a subject of your choice, under the supervision of an academic tutor.
The History department offers an unrivalled variety of History course units, each of which corresponds to the specific area of research expertise of our world-leading academic staff. This provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with staff in developing fresh research projects in their respective fields and make an important contribution to knowledge in the discipline via our research-led teaching.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
| Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Essay | AMER30002 | 20 | Optional |
| Slavery and the Old South | AMER30021 | 20 | Optional |
| Love American Style | AMER30162 | 20 | Optional |
| Conspiracy Theories in American Culture | AMER30382 | 20 | Optional |
| Occupy Everything | AMER30422 | 20 | Optional |
| Climate Change & Culture Wars | AMER30571 | 20 | Optional |
| American Hauntings | AMER30811 | 20 | Optional |
| James Baldwin in Context: Race, Sexuality and Activism | AMER32271 | 20 | Optional |
| Novel Democracy | AMER33131 | 20 | Optional |
| The Roman Army and the North-West Frontiers | CAHE30881 | 20 | Optional |
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What our students say
Studying a broad range of modules on the History and American Studies degree has definitely enabled me to become an effective teacher. Alongside the wide array of History modules, American Studies modules broadened my awareness of other significant cultural texts. I now find myself referencing such material in a range of lessons-allowing for an interdisciplinary style in my teaching, and hopefully more engaged students. Exposing young people in state education to ‘cultural capital,' to widen their opportunities after leaving school was the main reason that I pursued this career. My degree in History and American Studies provided the perfect training to do that.
Sam Nero, Secondary History Teacher/ History and American Studies graduate 2019
Facilities
The University of Manchester owns the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester Museum and Tabley House, giving you unique access to outstanding cultural and historical resources.
One of only five National Research Libraries, The University of Manchester Library holds extensive, internationally renowned collections in the American literary field, including the Walt Whitman Collection and the Upton Sinclair Collection.
American history is also well-served by several major research databases dedicated to topics such as the African American Experience, the 19th century US press, and American religion.
The English and American Studies Film Library is another substantial and growing learning resource.
Learn more on the Facilities pages for History and American Studies .
Disability support
Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Support Office. Email: disability@manchester.ac.uk
Careers
Career opportunities
History and American Studies is a joint honours programme that combines the breadth and training of a History degree, with the analytical skills and insights of Cultural Studies. Our graduates are held in high regard by employers, and enjoy success in a wide range of careers.
Recent graduates have taken up roles at HarperCollins, PWC, Cambridge University Press, Clifford Chance, NSPCC, JazzFM, as well as management roles in public administration, including with the City of Edmonton, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Graduates on this degree go into a range of professions including:
• teaching and academia
• law and accountancy
• heritage and museums
• Civil Service
• Management and senior administration
• media and creative project management
• marketing and public relations
• finance and tax advising
• non-profit administration and strategy
For a more detailed guide to the range of careers that recent graduates of American Studies have gone into see Our Graduates .