History with American StudiesBA Hons

Combine a wide-ranging history degree with an interdisciplinary focus on American studies. If you want to explore history, while specialising in the politics and culture of the USA, there’s no better place to study it than Portsmouth, a city with a rich heritage of its own.

On this BA (Hons) History with American Studies degree, you'll benefit from expert teaching from history, politics and literature specialists as you explore the impact of the cultures of North America in the past and the present.

When you explore the USA, you'll examine contemporary and historical issues about American society, such as its politics and constitution, literature and culture, its foreign policy and global impact, the founding of the Republic, and minority and gender histories. 

You'll develop your skills in research and analysis across global cultures, and gain sought-after workplace qualities in communication and teamwork.

To do this degree, you need to apply for the BA (Hons) History course. This is because it's a 'pathway' degree.

You’ll study History in depth and add American Studies as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll graduate with a BA (Hons) History with American Studies degree when you finish the course.

These are the entry requirements for the BA (Hons) History course.

Employers from every area of industry value today’s history and American studies graduates. When you complete the course, you'll have the ability to analyse and manage large amounts of information, communicate effectively, research in groups or independently, and write in a concise and informative way.

What can you do with a History with American Studies degree?

You can move forward to further study and research or put your degree to work in areas such as:

• archives and information management
• corporate governance
• creative industries
• heritage
• law
• primary and secondary schools
• higher education providers
• publishing and media
• trade unions

What jobs can you do with a History and American Studies degree?

Roles our graduates have taken on include:

• administrator for social enterprise
• barrister
• case worker for MP
• development editor in publishing
• exhibitions project manager
• founder of a digital solutions company
• researcher and writer for TV
• teacher
• workplace financial education consultant

Portsmouth alumni have worked with organisations including:

• central and local government
• higher education providers
• National Trust
• National Maritime Museum
• NHS
• the probation service
• Royal Navy

This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option. This means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you do alongside your study.

Placement year (optional)

After your second year, you can undertake an optional work placement year. This is an exciting opportunity to get invaluable work experience relevant to your intended career path.

The University can provide support and advice to help secure a work placement best suited for you. You can find placements in the UK or beyond, depending on your identified career plans.

Placement destinations

History students undertake placements in a variety of areas, including in the not-for-profit sector, in museums and heritage sites, in digital content management and with legal firms.

Current and recent students have secured placements at:

• Freedom from Torture, a charity which supports survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK
• Shrewsbury Museums
• Darton Law Ltd
• Posada & Company (Law)

We'll help you secure a work placement that fits your aspirations. You'll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 20 credits and 1 module worth 40 credits.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.

How you're assessed

You’ll be assessed through:

• written essays and tests
• group and individual projects
• speech writing and reports
• examinations
• a 10,000-word dissertation

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching methods on this course include:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• workshops

There's a practical focus on this course. You'll take part in group debates and discussions and get hands-on experience with different research and interview techniques.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars and workshops for about 11 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, independent reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Personal tutor

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next scheduled meeting.

Learning development tutors

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning development tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

• Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
• Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
• Understanding and using assignment feedback
• Managing your time and workload
• Revision and exam techniques

Academic skills support

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

• academic writing
• note taking
• time management
• critical thinking
• presentation skills
• referencing
• working in groups
• revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Library support

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

Support with English

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Tuition fees (2023 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £17,200 a year (subject to annual increase)

Tuition fees (2024 start)

• UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
• EU students – £9,250 a year, including our Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
• International students – £18,100 a year (subject to annual increase)

You won't pay any extra tuition fees to another university for taking part in a study/work abroad activity if you choose to do it for the whole academic year. During a year abroad you'll only have to pay a reduced fee to the University of Portsmouth.

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

You need to choose BA (Hons) History when you apply for this course, because this is a ‘pathway’ degree. This is where you study History in depth and add American Studies as a complementary subject in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) History with American Studies degree when you complete the course. 

If you change your mind after you apply, you can still choose not to study American Studies in years 2 and 3. You’ll then graduate with a BA (Hons) History degree when you complete the course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.