International Relations and American Studies with a Year in Industry

This four-year BA American Studies and International Relations degree with a year in industry, opens up a range of exciting career possibilities by giving students transferable skills, which are highly valued by employers.

Studying International Relations and American Studies involves exploring the culture, history and politics of the United States, the most influential country in the world, alongside many aspects of global and regional politics and economics. It addresses some of the most pressing issues in our contemporary world, including globalization and the struggles for racial justice.

You will have the chance to study American history, literature, politics and culture, from colonization to the present, and a range of international relations topics from globalization and global institutions to human rights and political economy.

You can shape the degree to your own interests, whether in US popular culture and political protest or political theory and international peace and conflict. You also have the chance to study for a year or a semester in the United States, discovering the subject first hand.

American Studies at Swansea is ranked:
• 1st in the UK for Graduate Outcomes (Complete University Guide 2025)
• 1st in the UK for Student Satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2025)
• 2nd in the UK for Student Experience (Times Good University Guide 2025)

International Relations at Swansea is ranked:
• Top 15 in the UK Overall (Guardian University Guide 2025)

The degree includes the option of studying in the United States for a semester or a year, further enhancing your student experience and career prospects.

You will have the competitive option of undertaking an internship module with the National Assembly for Wales, working closely with an Assembly Member.

The breadth of American Studies and History fosters transferable skills valued by employers, including creative thinking, critical awareness, team working, and advanced oral and written communication skills. American Studies and History graduates are known for their adaptability and creativity because the course requires students to make connections between disciplines and traditions.

Our graduates enter careers in a wide range of sectors including:
• Education
• Marketing
• Government
• Research
• Events management

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
Introduction to American Studies, Introduction to International Relations, An Introduction to American History and Politics, Introduction to American Literature and Culture, War and Peace in the Nuclear Age

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
Anarchy and Order: Theories in International Relations, Globalisation, The State and Political Institutions, Global Justice and Human Rights, International Security

You will have the opportunity to spend a Year in Industry between your second and final year, broadening your skills and experiencing different cultures. Our partner institutions span the globe, with opportunities varying each year

In your final year you will complete an independent dissertation project or you have the competitive option of undertaking a work placement module with the Sennedd Cymru/ Welsh Parliament. You will also complete.

You will also typically study areas including:
The Russian Civil War, The Rise and Fall of Wales? Politics, Culture and Society, 1847-1939, Philosophy, Mental Health and Illness, Capitalism and Justice, Digital Futures

Throughout your undergraduate International Relations and American Studies with a Year in Industry BA (Hons) degree, you will develop excellent research and analytical skills and learn to present your ideas effectively both verbally and in writing.

We offer a variety of assessment methods within our programmes. In addition to traditional examinations and essays, examples of alternative assessment include:

• Reading diary
• Literature/ article review
• Case study
• Critical review

For a full breakdown of course structure and assessment please visit our course page or get in touch with us at study@swansea.ac.uk.