History and American Studies BA

The BA (Hons) History and American Studies at Northumbria University is a premier interdisciplinary programme designed to equip students with the analytical rigour and cultural fluency required for a global career. Ranked 10th in the UK for research quality and boasting a 95.3% student satisfaction rate for teaching, the degree offers an elite environment where students are mentored by leading historians.1 The curriculum bridges the gap between past societal dynamics and contemporary American politics, supported by extensive digital archives including over fifty electronic databases of primary US materials.2

A hallmark of the course is its commitment to employability, evidenced by the "Your Graduate Future" module and the unique focus on place and heritage policy.3 Students have the opportunity to undertake a year-long professional placement or study abroad in North America or Europe, fostering an international outlook.4 Through the development of a final-year dissertation, students master advanced research, evidence assessment, and clear communication.5 These versatile skills ensure that graduates are highly valued in diverse sectors, with alumni successfully transitioning into high-impact roles in the civil service, journalism, law, advertising, and archive management. By combining historical inquiry with an understanding of modern social and political dynamics, the programme ensures graduates emerge as confident "citizen scholars" ready for the twenty-first-century workplace.6