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If you are fascinated by the United States of America and want to learn more about its culture, history, and politics, explore our BA in American Studies.
As the only American University in the UK, Richmond has an authenticity which few can match when it comes to American Studies. Our programme, which is based on the American liberal arts system of learning, aims to develop an understanding of the United States of America from an international perspective.
The programme enables students to take courses in American history, politics and foreign policy alongside courses on film, literature, popular music, globalisation and contemporary popular culture. Students on this programme will also share courses with students majoring in International Relations, Politics, History, Communications, Journalism and other disciplines.
Step outside the classroom and explore a different side of America through visits to The American Museum and Gardens in Bath, the Benjamin Franklin House in London and the British Museum. With all of London’s museums, art galleries and theatres on the doorstep, there are many ways to discover different aspects of America.
You will also have the opportunity to benefit from the numerous exchange possibilities with universities and colleges in the United States, Canada and Latin America.
3 Years pathway
Core Modules & Electives
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Fall Semester | Fall Semester |
Foundations of Sociology | When Worlds Collide | Senior Seminar I |
Comparative Political Systems | Intro to IR | Contemporary America Culture |
Intro to Visual Culture | Scientific Reasoning | History Since 1972 |
Research & Writing I | Cultural Theory | Elective |
Creative Expression | Politics in the USA | Elective |
Spring Semester | Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
Foundations of AMS | Power in the Americas | Senior Seminar II |
Versailles to Vietnam | American Television Drama | The American Presidency |
Film in the Americas | Social Research | Pop to Present |
Research & Writing II | Mainstream Cinema | Elective |
Quantitative Reasoning | US Grand Strategy | Elective |
4 Years pathway
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Foundations of American Studies | Introduction to Visual Culture | Power in the Americas | Contemporary American Culture |
Comparative Political Systems | Film in the Americas | Cultural Theory | The American Presidency |
Foundations of Psychology | When Worlds Collide: Race & Empire 1400-1888 | Mainstream Cinema: Studies in Genre | Senior Seminar in American Studies 1 |
Transitions I | Versailles to Vietnam: US and the World | Social Research | Senior Seminar in American Studies 2 |
Transitions II | Introduction to International Relations | 4 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | US History Since 1972 |
Quantitative Reasoning | And all of the following: | From Pop to Present: Themes in Contemporary American Art |
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Scientific Reasoning | Research and Writing II | ||
Creative Expression | 4 FHEQ Level 4 Electives | ||
Research and Writing I | |||
QCT Level 3 Elective (can be Gen Ed Hum SS requirement) | |||
Electives
ELECTIVE MODULES |
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|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Plus 4 of the following OR Internship and 2 of the following: |
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World Internship in American Studies (6 CREDITS) |
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Internship in American Studies (6 CREDITS) |
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New Media |
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History on Film |
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Culture, Power and Empire |
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Migration and Diasporas |
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Conflict And Peace Studies |
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International Human Rights |
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Foreign Policy Analysis |
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Global Energy Politics |
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Ethnicity and Identity |
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Religion, Identity And Power |
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Democracy and Democratization |
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A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
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Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
3 year pathway
4 year pathway
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
Studying for a BA in American Studies at Richmond University was the best decision I made in the last three years (better than the time I said yes to eating an oven baked tarantula, lightly salted).
The classes at Richmond are small – in terms of student numbers, but also dimensionally – and all the better for it. Class discussions are the perfect setting to explore the subject and extract sordid details. Class contact hours are numerous and the work load is high but time spent with our tutors is extensive which I know, having done the first year of my degree at a British University, is an exceptional quality unique to Richmond University.
With quite a broad subject, taking the degree in the direction I wanted to is routinely encouraged, as is free thinking and the development of my ideas. If you want a challenge and to develop an incredible understanding in your field, Richmond American International University in London is the place to go, despite its lengthy title which I may have just got wrong.
Queen’s Road
Richmond-upon-Thames
TW10 6JP
England
+44 (0) 208 332 8200 (Main Switchboard)
