English Literature and American Studies: The University of Manchester

Course description

The BA (Hons) English Literature and American Studies is an interdisciplinary degree course which offers students the opportunity to combine study of the history, literature, film, politics and popular culture of the United States with access to the full range of English Studies (literary and theoretical) and the opportunity to engage in a broadly chronological study of English literature.

In the second year you can choose to go abroad for one semester or for the whole year, or instead you can stay in Manchester. Students in Manchester select from a range of courses covering American History, literature, film and politics.

There are three possible pathways that students can follow:

• Study at the University of Manchester for the whole year
• Study at the University of California for the whole year
• Study in Manchester for the first semester, then spend the second semester in the United States or Canada (at a range of selected US and Canadian universities).

Career opportunities

The BA (Hons) English Literature and American Studies offers multi-disciplinary training, which equips students for a variety of careers. Employers value the transferable skills students acquire, such as skills in advanced research methods, analytical techniques and excellent verbal and written communication skills. As a result, their graduates are highly employable. 'Traditional' careers in librarianship and teaching are still followed but increasingly their graduates take up careers such as journalism, accountancy, law, banking, advertising, business management, computing, the media, publishing and the Civil Service. Some of their graduates like to spend a year or two teaching English abroad.

Entry requirements

• English language:
  • Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent;
  • eg. NCUK EAP minimum Grade of A with range of 70-79
  • TOEFL: PBT score of 600; CBT score of 250; TWE score of 5.5; IBT score of 100.
• A level: AAB to include A in English Lit (or Lang & Lit, but not Eng Language alone).
• AS level: Not accepted without A-level requirements as stated
• Unit grade information: The University of Manchester welcomes the provision of unit grade information which, like all other available information, will inform the consideration of applications.
• Key Skills qualification: The University warmly welcomes applications from students studying the Key Skills qualification.
• International baccalaureate: 35 points overall including 7 points in English Literature at Higher level