International Relations and American Studies with a Year Abroad

Discover the world through two powerful lenses: global politics and American influence. Our combined degree in International Relations and American Studies offers you the chance to explore how nations interact, why power matters, and how U.S. culture and policy have shaped and continue to shape the international stage. From diplomacy and security to literature, film, and identity, you will gain critical insights into today’s most pressing global challenges, while developing the analytical and communication skills that employers value.

Our Joint Honours BA degree covers International Relations with its focus on global politics, security, human rights, and international cooperation as well as American Studies exploring U.S. history, culture, politics, and its role as a global power. You will have the chance to study American history, literature, politics and culture, from colonisation to the present, and a range of international relations topics from globalisation, international security, to peace and conflict management, or human rights and political economy. Together, they provide a holistic view of how the U.S. shapes, and is shaped by, the international system, which is highly relevant in today’s interconnected world.

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.

We offer varied and flexible course content, so you can shape your American Studies and International Relations degree to your own interests.

Topics include American film, music, race, gender, migration and urbanization, social, economic and military history, intelligence studies, or civil rights and political protest, globalisation and human rights, political economy, peace and conflict, and security studies.

Teaching is informed by our world-leading interdisciplinary research in a wide range of subject areas, from civil rights, US foreign policy, and the Cold War to the American Civil War, contemporary US fiction, and the Harlem Renaissance.

During your time at Swansea University, you will have the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of clubs and societies. The American Studies Student Society organises a range of social and cultural events. The Politics and International Relations Student Society (PAIR) provides another network to get involved with for social and career related events, including talks by guest speakers from practice.

This programme includes opportunities to undertake a Semester or Year Abroad in the United States, enhancing your learning and offering invaluable life experience.

Kickstart a bright future at Swansea University.

With around 300,000 residents, Swansea isn’t the biggest city this side of the Severn, but she’s got a big personality with a cost of living that’s refreshingly affordable compared to most other UK cities. Whether you like to explore the outdoors, take in a bit of culture, or anything in between, Swansea has something for everyone.

As a student at Swansea University, you'll benefit from a friendly, inclusive community and opportunities to gain skills that last a lifetime. Alongside first-class resources that include a mock court room, indoor athletics centre & virtual reality lab, you'll learn from leading academics, in a supportive and nurturing environment.

With 120 societies, 50 sports clubs and 12 months of must-see events, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy between lectures.

Whoever you are and whoever you want to be, you'll find yourself right at home in Swansea.