BA English Literature and American Studies / Course details

BA English Literature and American Studies combines the study of American literature, history, and culture, with a wider exploration of global literature and training in English Studies.

This degree offers access to the traditional range of English Literature modules, covering the Anglo-Saxon period through to contemporary novels.

Additionally, it provides a solid foundation in the methods and debates of American Studies, equipping you with a broad array of analytical tools.

You will be introduced to the political, legal, and administrative structures of US politics and society, and become familiar with concepts that have significant relevance in today's global society. These include:

• mass incarceration;
• inequality;
• poverty;
• racial stratification;
• the logics of policing;
• the changing nature of work and leisure;
• radical organising;
• military power;
• cultural imperialism;
• urban politics;
• climate change;
• conspiracy theories;
• gender and sexuality;
• literature and film analysis.

Engaging with these concepts will refine your critical perspectives on literature, encouraging you to place these works within broader historical, political, and cultural contexts.

By working with materials from the worlds of film, music, and cultural debate, you will also think about where the boundaries of literature might lie.

On this degree, you 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.

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.

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.

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).

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%.