Why Study American Studies at Manchester?
At a glance
- Learn in a department ranked 2nd in the UK for American Studies (Complete University Guide 2026).
- Join the UK’s first American Studies department and benefit from almost 70 years of experience, learning from internationally recognised researchers.
- Experience North America first-hand, with 20+ study abroad partners across the US and Canada.
- Explore American collections at the John Rylands Library and Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre.
Video: Why Study a Humanities Degree at The University of Manchester?
Frequently asked study questions
Study the history, literature, politics and culture of the United States, from the colonial period to the present day.
You’ll explore these areas alongside film, music, politics and popular culture.
Gain a whole new perspective on topics such as:
- how American society has changed over time;
- how culture reflects and challenges those changes;
- and how the US has shaped and been shaped by its relationship with the rest of the world.
At Manchester, you can learn from academics working across American history, literature and culture, with research interests ranging from African American history and the American South to gender and sexuality, mass media and popular culture.
Manchester has a long history of connections with the US. Our research has explored links through politics, trade, literature, art and music, from Benjamin Franklin's visit to Manchester in 1771 to Bob Dylan's 1966 Free Trade Hall concert.
Studying at Manchester gives you the chance to connect the city around you with the people, events and ideas you encounter during your studies.
You’ll learn from academics researching the US from different perspectives, with expertise in areas including African American history and culture, the American South, film, politics and popular culture.
Their research introduces you to different ideas, questions and approaches to American Studies.
If you’re a postgraduate researcher, you can also take part in Critical MASS, Manchester’s American Studies research seminar series, where you can share your work and discuss ideas with other researchers. Manchester’s American Studies research seminar series, where you can share your work and discuss ideas with other researchers.
Yes. If you're an eligible undergraduate student, you may be able to spend a semester or a full year studying at a partner university in the US or Canada.
Experience university life in North America, meet students from different backgrounds and see a different education system first-hand.
Living and studying there also gives you the chance to experience the places and cultures you’re studying.