BA American Studies and English: University of Sussex

About the programme

This degree gives you the opportunity to study a range of literature in English from different periods. You learn to appreciate literary genres and forms – including poetry, drama, the novel and the short story – and understand the contexts within which literary texts are produced and read, as well as the ways in which they interact with other media. You complement this with a specialised knowledge of the literature and culture of the US in the context of the Americas.

If you take American studies as part of a joint degree, you spend half your time taking American studies courses and half taking courses from your joint subject.

If American studies is your minor subject, you take American studies interdisciplinary courses plus the lecture series in the first two years, so that you are well prepared for your year abroad. You do not specialise in a particular track.

Entry requirments

• Typical A level offer: ABB, with an A in English
• International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall, including 6 in Higher Level English A1 or A2

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.5 overall and not less than 6.0 in both the Listening and Writing sections.
• Internet-based TOEFL with 90 overall, including at least 24 in Speaking and 25 in Writing.
• The University also accepts a range of other qualifications:
  • GCSE or IGCSE English as a first language: grade C.
  • GCSE English or IGCSE as a second language: grade B.
  • Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE): grade B.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade C.
  • Cambridge English Language 1119: between grades 1 and 6.