Course summary

Studying American Studies and International Relations gives you the chance to explore the culture, history and politics of the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of global and regional economics and politics. This four-year BA American Studies and International Relations degree with a year abroad, opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by giving students transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers. American Studies at Swansea is ranked: • 1st in the UK for Graduate Prospects (Times Good University Guide 2024) • 5th in the UK for Teaching Quality (Times Good University Guide 2024) • 8th in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2024) Swansea University is one of a limited number of institutions selected to partner with the UK Parliament to deliver an innovative Parliamentary Studies module. The module is taught by specialist academic staff and includes a series of sessions with experts and members of staff currently working in the UK Parliament. The module features a day long visit to Westminster including talks with Senior Members of Parliament. They gain employment in a range of sectors including education, marketing, government, research and events management, working for prestigious organisations such as the Labour Party and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. You will be able to explore the history, literature, politics and culture, of the United States from the period of colonization to the presidency of Donald Trump, as well as a range of International Relations topics from globalization and global institutions to human rights and political economy. You will spend the third year studying in an American university, further improving your student experience and career prospects, and you will have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the Senedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament, working closely with Ministers for one day a week for one Semester in your Final Year. Teaching on the course is informed by our world-leading research and you can attend seminars organised through our guest speaker programme. Visiting American professors also offer modules as part of the degree, and with more than 150 American students studying at Swansea each year, you have access to a ready-made network of contacts with links stretching across the USA.