MA American Studies (Part time)
Course options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Understanding America in the 21st century is more essential than ever. The MA in American Studies examines U.S. history, literature, and culture at a moment of flux.
The course provides a thematic approach to explore modern America. It includes issues of race, gender, civil liberties, power and protest, and popular culture. It's suited for graduates of American Studies, History, Literature, and Politics, as well as similar disciplines. You’ll develop interdisciplinary understanding of the United States through seminars and tutorials. The MA allows you to pursue your own interests and tailor studies around your specialism.
UEA has been a pioneering centre of American Studies for over 50 years. It's home to one of the most established and highly regarded departments in the UK. At UEA, you’ll learn with experts doing world-leading research on U.S. history, literature, and culture.
An interdisciplinary American Studies MA provides tools to comprehend the past and present. UEA is home to the Arthur Miller Institute, which hosts events throughout the year. Previous speakers to campus have included Norman Mailer, Joseph Heller, Toni Morrison, and Susan Sontag. We have partnerships with the American Library based in the Millennium Library and host Congress to Campus visits where you can converse with US politicians.
The MA in American Studies allows you to grapple with the key global political and social issues today. It prepares you for a range of career options. Graduates have moved into doctoral research, teaching, journalism, civil service, and law. The creative and cultural industries, NGOs, PR, and marketing are among other destinations. Are you ready to start your American adventure?
Study and Modules
Structure
In your first year, you’ll hone your research skills and understanding of American Studies on the compulsory module. You’ll have the opportunity to take two additional modules that reflect department specialisms in areas such as race, democracy, contemporary literature and art. The broad-ranging programme combines the study of cultural theory, literature, film, history and politics. You’ll take team-taught modules that directly reflect the cutting-edge research being carried out in the department.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The first year of this course will help you develop exceptionally high levels of knowledge and theoretical understanding of American thought, culture, history and politics. All teaching is conducted in small seminar groups. You’ll have the opportunity to engage fully with your own ideas and those of others. As well as timetabled seminar slots, each member of staff at UEA holds dedicated office hours where you can seek additional advice and guidance on a one-to-one basis. You’ll also be assigned an adviser who can support you through your studies by providing academic and career guidance.
Assessment
In your first year, you’ll be assessed on the basis of coursework alone. You’ll receive constructive feedback on every piece of assessment that you submit. These comments and reflections will help you identify the methods and strategies to improve your work and get the most out of your studies.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll take a further two modules based on departmental research interests. You’re also able to choose one module from a wide range of MA offerings from across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, in fields such as film studies, literature, politics, and comics studies. This is a great way to broaden your understanding by considering American Studies in relation to other disciplinary fields and subjects.
Finally, you’ll write a dissertation of 15,000–20,000 words. This is an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the topic that stimulates your interest. You’ll receive intensive one-on-one mentoring from a supervisor whose expertise and interests match your chosen project.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, you’ll refine your research skills and be introduced to new and exciting methodologies and theories that drive the study of American history, literature and popular culture. This will culminate in your dissertation, a substantial piece of original research in an area of your choosing, which you’ll undertake with the supervision of a member of the faculty.
Assessment
In your second year, you’ll be assessed on the basis of coursework and your dissertation. The dissertation will count for a third of your total marks.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent.
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with min 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £10,675
-
International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate from the MA American Studies with expert communication skills and a well-honed ability to evaluate and organise large amounts of information. As a graduate of this course, you’ll therefore be able to put your skills and knowledge to a huge range of uses, including further study at doctoral level; commercial and policy-related research; editing and content writing; and marketing and social media communications, to name just a few. You’ll be particularly good at working independently and initiating, developing and successfully completing projects, and will be an invaluable part of any team.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- NGOs
- Civil service
- Marketing and advertising
- Creative and cultural industries
- Teaching/lecturing
- Commercial/policy research
Discover more on our Careers webpages.