- UCAS course code
- QT37
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
BA English Literature and American Studies
English Literature and American Studies at Manchester combines literature with history, politics and popular culture of the United States.
Duration: 3 years
Year of entry: 2025
UCAS course code: QT37 / 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 English Literature with an immersion in the interdisciplinary field of American Studies
- Study a broad range of literatures in English, while focusing on US literary and cultural studies from the great American novel to social media cultures
- Explore the rich literary history and current creative scene of Manchester - a recently designated UNESCO City of Literature
- Study American literature, film, and popular culture at a university ranked 2nd in the UK for American Studies by Complete University Guide 2025 and consider studying for a semester in North America or Europe
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- +44 (0)161 509 2871
- ug-eac@manchester.ac.uk
- Website
- http://www.alc.manchester.ac.uk/subjects/american-studies/
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Related courses
- English Literature BA (3 years)
- History and American Studies BA (3 years)
- American Studies BA (4 years)
- American Studies BA (3 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
Grades AAB, includingGrade A in English Literature, or English Language and Literature (ie not English Language alone).
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 A in English Literature plus 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 includingGrade A in English Literature, or English Language and Literature (ie not English Language alone) for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.
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 English Literature)
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
We require grade A in Advanced Higher English 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 advice 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 English Literature (or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone).
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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ).
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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ).
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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ), 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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ).
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 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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ).
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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone ), 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 English Literature ( or English Language and Literature, but not English Language alone )..
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 English Literature.
Cambridge Pre-U
We accept Pre-U grade D3 in place of A Level grade A and Pre-U grade M2 in place of A Level grade B.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please ug-eac@manchester.ac.uk
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 A in English Literature 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
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
We require you to have studied English Literature (or English Literature with Language, but not English Language only) to A-level standard, Grade A.
It would also be an advantage to have studied some American history, literature or politics before.
We like to see evidence of transferable skills, for example, time management, teamwork, independent work, critical and analytical abilities.
We also prefer evidence of extra-curricular involvement with their chosen subject; reasons for wishing to study; areas of interest and enthusiasm in the field; 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
"The academic staff are renowned for their teaching, and that definitely proved to be the case in my three years here.
"The level of support that I received throughout my time here has been unparalleled, and that's something that attracted me to Manchester in the first place."
Rachel Adams / 2017 graduate
This degree is designed for those wanting to study English Literature who have a particular interest in American cultures and literatures. Students choose from a wealth of English studies courses in a leading English Literature department, combined with one of the strongest concentrations of Americanist experts in the country. You’ll get access to an array of literatures in the English language, from graphic novels to poetry and from post-colonial literature to contemporary American fiction.
The specialisms of our lecturers enable students to learn about concepts and debates from literature, popular culture and history, developing highly relevant tools to approach today's global society. These include:
- Democracy and the novel
- Postcolonial film and fiction
- Narratives of conspiracy thinking and social media
- Environmental humanities and climate communication
- Gender, sexuality and culture
- Cultural theory and modernism
- Anti-racist literatures and cultures
- Radical thought, literature and social activism
- Cultures of recent and contemporary capitalism
- Victorian studies and Manchester
- The politics and poetics of life writing
- ‘Public humanities’ approaches (which engaged with publics and practitioners, informed by questions of social justice)
Engaging with these forms and themes will refine your critical perspectives, encouraging you to place cultural works within broader historical and political contexts in engaged and concrete ways. A signature dimension of this degree is its cultivation of ‘interdisciplinary’ skills, highly valued in contemporary society.
On this degree, many students take advantage of the opportunities for study abroad for one semester at one of our partner institutions in North America or Europe. 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 – founded on deep trans-Atlantic partnerships (our American Studies programme is the oldest in the country).
You'll also become part of a thriving community of students, lecturers, and writers at The University of Manchester, in the heart of a UNESCO City of Literature. This city has produced some of the world's greatest writers and has a lively literature and arts scene, including major events like the Manchester Literature Festival. The Centre for New Writing also hosts a regular public event series, Literature Live, which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to read and engage in conversation.
Special features
Study abroad
In your second year, you have the exciting opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad.
Exchange partners are offered in Europe through the Erasmus Exchange scheme, as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore via the Worldwide Exchange scheme.
Placement year option
In your third year, apply your knowledge in a real-world setting through a placement year. This experience will enhance your employment prospects, help you clarify your career goals, and build your external networks.
Literature events
Manchester Literature Festival holds literary events across Manchester throughout the year, many in partnership with the University.
The Centre for New Writing also hosts a regular public event series, Literature Live, which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to read and engage in conversation.
Meet like-minded students
You can get to know your fellow students outside of your course by joining the English Literature Society or volunteering to work on the student-run Sonder Magazine.
Learn more on our Societies page.
Benefit from research
Study at the home of the UK's first-ever Department of American Studies and interact with scholars who are actively engaged in cutting-edge research at the forefront of new developments and ideas.
Teaching and learning
You will be taught mainly through lecture and tutor-led sessions.
Tutorials will give you the opportunity to consider the same texts and topics as the lectures, but with a different approach.
Tutorial groups usually meet at least once a week, and numbers are kept as low as possible so that you can get to know one another and share your ideas.
Other course units (mainly those in your final year) are taught through a weekly seminar led by a specialist member of staff.
For some course units, you will join in group work and other forms of collaborative learning.
You'll also have access to our virtual learning environment, Blackboard and other digital resources to support your learning.
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.
The individual study component could be spent reading, producing written work, or revising for examinations.
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).
Coursework and assessment
You will be assessed using a variety of formats, including:
- written examinations;
- coursework essays;
- research reports;
- practical tests;
- learning logs;
- web contributions;
- oral presentations;
- final-year thesis.
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
You will study 60 credits from each discipline in your first year.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to American Literature to 1900 | AMER10021 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Twentieth Century American Literature | AMER10312 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Introduction to American Studies | AMER10501 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Reading Literature | ENGL10021 | 20 | Mandatory |
| Theory and Text | ENGL10062 | 20 | Mandatory |
| A Global Nation: Power, Politics, and Struggle Across the American Century, 1870-2020 | AMER10002 | 20 | Optional |
| Literature and History | ENGL10072 | 20 | Optional |
Course content for year 2
Your degree becomes more flexible as you progress into Year 2.
You will study a total of 120 credits and may choose to study up to 80 credits from either discipline or maintain an equal weighting between the two.
You can also apply to spend some of your second year abroad in the US.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cultural Studies | AMER20331 | 20 | Mandatory |
| American Film Studies | AMER20072 | 20 | Optional |
| From Jamestown to James Brown: African-American History and Culture | AMER20141 | 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 |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ENGL20001 | 20 | Optional |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ENGL20002 | 20 | Optional |
| Chaucer: Texts, Contexts, Conflicts | ENGL20231 | 20 | Optional |
| Shakespeare | ENGL20372 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
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 |
| 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 |
| Long Essay | ENGL30001 | 20 | Optional |
| Long Essay | ENGL30002 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
Home to one of the world's richest and most unique collections of manuscripts, maps, works of art and objects.
You'll have access to the library's impressive special collections, including papyri, early printed books, key archives such as the Women's Suffrage Movement archive and Shakespeare's first folio.
The University is home to a major hub for new writing excellence and award-winning teaching staff, including Granta Best Young British Novelist Kamila Shamsie and Jeanette Winterson CBE.
The Centre also hosts Literature Live - a public event series which brings contemporary novelists and poets to the University to showcase their work.
The University of Manchester Library
One of only five National Research Libraries; you'll have access to our internationally renowned medieval, Victorian and American literary collections, including the Walt Whitman Collection and the Upton Sinclair Collection.
You'll also have access to other cultural assets on campus, including the award-winning Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Museum .
Find out more on our facilities page.
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
All our courses have your future in mind - whether that's further study or starting a career. Our degrees provide you with strong critical analysis skills, the ability to articulate complex concepts and theories, and the capacity to work and think independently, critically, and creatively. These versatile skills are highly sought after by many employers.
The creative economy accounts for 1 in 11 jobs across the UK and employs 700,000 more people than the financial services industry (Creative Industries Federation).
The University of Manchester is the second most targeted university in the UK for top graduate employers (High Fliers Research, 2024).
Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of industries, including positions with the BBC, KPMG, Deloitte, Marks and Spencer, Aviva, Accenture, and Barclays.
Our award-winning careers service provides a wealth of tools, advice, development opportunities and industry links.
The University has its own dedicated, subject-specific Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate.
Our undergraduate courses are also designed to provide an easy transition into postgraduate study if desired.
We offer a wide range of specialist master's courses within the University and even offer fast-tracked enrolment to high-achieving undergraduate students.
Our students can take part in our Stellify programme alongside their degrees, developing professional and leadership skills while contributing to their local and global communities through volunteering.
At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .