Key information
- Duration:
- 4 years full time
- Typical A-level offer:
- ABB-BBB
- Contextual A-level offer:
- BBC-BCC
- UCAS code:
- TQ73
- Start date:
- September 2021

- 2nd in the UK for American Studies (The Complete University Guide 2021)
- 4th in the UK for American Studies (The Guardian University Guide 2021)
- 7th in the UK for American Studies (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021)
We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, we may need to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to COVID-19.
My experiences over the last four years have allowed me to broaden my views and opinions and develop my plans for the future.”Sophie Kennedy-Cooke
American Studies and English (with a study abroad year) BA
Entry requirements
A-level
Typical offer | ABB-BBB |
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Contextual offer | BBC-BCC Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
Subjects | A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature |
GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Extended Project Qualification | We take the EPQ into account when considering your application and it can be useful in the summer when your results are released if you have narrowly missed the conditions of your offer. We do not routinely include the EPQ in the conditions of your offer but we sometimes offer alternative conditions that include the EPQ. If you wish to discuss this further please contact us |
Other UK qualifications
Access to HE Diploma
Typical offer | Pass Diploma with at least 39 level 3 credits at Merit or above including 21-24 credits at Distinction |
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Subjects | Access to HE Diploma must contain substantial Level 3 credits in Literature. |
Cambridge Pre-U Principle Subjects (including A-level mixes)
Typical offer | M1 M2 M2 If you have one A-level and two Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects we would expect you to have grade A at A-level and, M2 and M2 in two Pre-Us. If you have two A-levels and a Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subject we would normally expect you to have grades AB at A-level and M2 in Pre-U. |
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Subjects | You must either have A-level English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature or English as one of the Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects. |
GCSEs | You should also have a range of GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (A* to C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer | 30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
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Subjects | Higher Level subjects must include English. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma and one A-level
Typical offer | Grade B in A-level and DD in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. |
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Contextual offer | Grade B in A-level and DM in Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma. Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
Subjects | A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature. |
GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate and two A-levels
Typical offer | Grades BB in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. |
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Contextual offer | Grades BC in A-levels and Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate. Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
Subjects | A-levels must include English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature. |
GCSEs | You should also have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma)
Typical offer | DDD-DDM |
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Contextual offer | DDM-DMM Not everyone has the same support to get to higher education – we help you reach your potential. When we receive applications through UCAS, we consider all factors and will sometimes make contextual offers as part of our Access and Participation Plan |
Subjects | In addition to the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, you will also need an A-level in English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature. |
GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs 9-4 (A*-C), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
Scottish Highers
Typical offer | AABBB-ABBBB |
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Subjects | Highers must include English at grade A. You would normally be expected to have an Advanced Higher in English (at grade B). |
Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced
Typical offer | ABB-BBB from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate and two A-levels |
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Subjects | A-levels in either English Literature or the combined A-level in English Language and Literature. |
GCSEs | You should have a broad range of GCSEs A*-C (9-4), including good grades in relevant subjects. |
International Baccalaureate
Typical offer | 30 -32 points overall from the full IB Diploma. |
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Subjects | Higher Level subjects must include English. |
European Baccalaureate
Typical offer | Overall result of at least 75% to 77%. |
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Additional requirements | Successful applicants will need to achieve a final mark of at least 8/10 in English. |
Other international qualifications
Australia
Typical offer | Relevant state (Year 12) High School Certificate, and between 88% to 85% in the ATAR or UAI/TER/ENTER, or a Queensland OP of 4 to 5 or better. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Austria
Typical offer | Reifeprüfung or Matura with an overall result of between 2.0 to 2.2 or better for first-year entry. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Belgium
Typical offer | Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur (CESS) or Diploma van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs with a good overall average. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bulgaria
Typical offer | Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie with excellent final-year scores (normally 5.5 overall with 6 in key subjects). |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
Typical offer | Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) 70%-75% from 6 grade 12 U, U/C or M courses. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation AABBB-BBBBB from 5 grade 12 courses. We also recognise the High School Diploma from other provinces -including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick- where we look for strong performance in grade 12 subjects, and the Diplome d'Etudes Collegiales (DEC) from Quebec. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
Typical offer | If you have the Goakao, we will consider applications for direct entry to first year. You would normally need an overall average of 75%, including required subjects. We are also pleased to consider applications if you are following a recognised International Foundation Year or you have one or more years of Higher Education in China at a recognised degree awarding institution. The Senior High School Graduation alone would not be sufficient for entry to our undergraduate degrees, but you may be eligible to apply for our International Foundation Year. If you successfully complete an International Foundation Year, you can progress on to a relevant undergraduate course at Sussex. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year. |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Croatia
Typical offer | Maturatna Svjedodžba with an overall score of between 4 and 4.2 |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
Typical offer | Apolytirion of Lykeion with an overall average of between 18/20 and 18.5/20 will be considered for first-year entry.
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Czech Republic
Typical offer | Maturita with a good overall average. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Denmark
Typical offer | Højere Forberedelseseksamen (HF) or Studentereksamen with an overall average of at least 7 on the new grading scale. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Finland
Typical offer | Pass Ylioppilastutkinto with overall final result between MMMM - EMMM |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
Typical offer | French Baccalauréat with overall final result between 12/20 and 13/20. |
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Additional requirements | In the French Baccalauréat you will need at least 12/20 in English. |
Germany
Typical offer | German Abitur with an overall result of 2.0 to 2.2 or better. |
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Additional requirements | You will need a final result in your German Abitur of at least 14/15 in English. |
Greece
Typical offer | Apolytirion with an overall average of between 18 and 18.5 will be considered for first-year entry. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
Typical offer | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with grades of 5, 4, 4 to 4, 4, 4 from three subjects including two electives. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hungary
Typical offer | Erettsegi/Matura with a good average of at least 55544. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
Typical offer | Standard XII results
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. (80%) |
Iran
Typical offer | Please contact our admissions office for further information |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ireland
Typical offer | Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher Level) at H1,H2,H2,H3,H3 to H2,H2,H2,H3,H3. |
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Additional requirements | Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level subjects must include English at grade H1. |
Israel
Typical offer | For first year entry at least 80% (or 8/10) in at least 6 subjects, including one 5 unit subject, in one sitting of the Bagrut. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Italy
Typical offer | Italian Diploma Di Maturità or Diploma Pass Di Esame Di Stato with a final Diploma mark of between 78/100 and 81/100. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
Typical offer | You'll normally need to complete an International Foundation Year in order to apply for first year entry. The International Study Centre on campus provides a range of options. Check which qualifications the International Study Centre accepts for the International Foundation Year. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Latvia
Typical offer | Atestats par Visparejo videjo Izglitibu with very good grades in state exams. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lithuania
Typical offer | Brandos Atestatas including scores of 80-90% in at least three state examinations (other than English). |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Luxembourg
Typical offer | Pass the Diplome de Fin d’Etudes Secondaires with between 43-46 points overall. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
Typical offer | Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) with grades of ABB-BBB, Matriculation with a least a grade of 3.0 or UEC with an overall average grade B3 (75%). |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Netherlands
Typical offer | Voorereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO), normally with an average of at least 7. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
Typical offer | You are expected to have one of the following:
You must also have a score of C6 or above in WAEC/SSC English. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
Typical offer | Norwegian Vitnemal Fra Den Videregaende Opplaering - Pass with an overall average of 4. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
Typical offer | You can apply for direct entry to Year 1 if you are completing at least two years of Bachelor degree studies. You'll normally need to complete a Foundation year after taking Intermediate Certificate or the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC). You might choose one of our International Foundation Years at the International Study Centre on campus. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.v |
Poland
Typical offer | Pass Matura with least 3 Extended level subjects including Literature in the 75th percentile.
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Portugal
Typical offer | Diploma de Ensino Secundario normally with an overall mark between 16/20 and 17/20. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Romania
Typical offer | Diploma de Bacalaureat with an overall average between 8.0 and 8.5 including a score of 8 in a Literature subject. |
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
Typical offer | A-levels, as well as certain certificates and diplomas. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovakia
Typical offer | Pass Vysvedčenie o maturitnej skúške (Maturita) with an average grade above 2.0 from 4 subjects including Literature.
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Additional requirements | Please note: Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Slovenia
Typical offer | Secondary School Leaving Diploma or Matura with at least 23 points overall. |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
Typical offer | National Senior Certificate with very good grades. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
Typical offer | Spanish Título de Bachillerato (LOGSE) with an overall average result between 7.5 and 8.0. |
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Additional requirements | You will need at least 8/10 in English. |
Sri Lanka
Typical offer | Sri Lankan A-levels. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sweden
Typical offer | Fullstandigt Slutbetyg/Högskoleförberedande Examen with a total of 2,500 credits to include B grades in the majority of subjects and to include grade A in Literature studies.
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Additional requirements | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
Typical offer | Federal Maturity Certificate. |
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Subject-specific knowledge | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
Typical offer | We'll consider students who have taken the Lise Diplomasi or Lise Bitirme, with a score of at least 4/5 or 80/100 in their final year, on a case by case basis for direct entry to year 1. Where direct entry is unsuitable, we'll automatically consider you for one of our Foundation Years. Or you might want to apply to one of our International Foundation Years at the international Study Centre on Campus. Visit isc.sussex.ac.uk/our-courses/international-foundation-year or www.sussex.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/foundation-years |
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
USA
Typical offer | We look at your full profile taking into account everything you are studying, including the high school graduation diploma, Grade 12 GPA, SAT tests and subject tests and/or ACT grades We are particularly interested in AP tests and would ideally like to see 3 good AP scores Advanced Placement Tests with scores of between 5,5,4 to 5,4,4 in three subjects. If you have taken the SAT reasoning tests we'd normally expect a combined score of at least 1300 and will look for around 600 in relevant subject tests. If you've taken the ACT we'd expect to see a composite score of at least 26.
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Additional requirements | You will need to demonstrate high levels of ability in literature. Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
My country is not listed
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
6.0 overall, including at least 5.5 in each component
Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our language requirements
Other English language requirements
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
169 overall, including at least 162 in each skill
Duolingo English test
105 overall, with no component score below 90
Check your Duolingo English test qualification meets all of our language requirements
Pearson (PTE Academic)
59 overall, including at least 59 in all four skills.
Check your Pearson (PTE Academic) qualification meets all of our language requirements
TOEFL (iBT)
80 overall, including at least 17 in Listening, 18 in Reading, 20 in Speaking, 17 in Writing.
Check your TOEFL qualification meets all of our language requirements
Find out more about TOEFL (iBT).
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70% or Grade 3
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A – C in English
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirements. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exempt countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada**
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
Admissions information for applicants
Transfers into Year 2 | Yes. Find out more about transferring into Year 2 of this course. We don’t accept transfers into the third or final year. |
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If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.
Don’t meet our entry requirements?
If you don't meet our entry requirements, we recommend our in-house Foundation Year course to prepare you for Year 1 of your chosen degree:
Modules
This is a joint-honours course, offering you a combinations of subjects, each taking up 50% of your time.
Find out about our types of undergraduate degrees, their structure, modules and credits
We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, or due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Spring teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- American Political Culture
- Roots of America: From Colonial Settlement to the Civil War and Reconstruction
- Writing Early America: Literature to 1800
Spring teaching
We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, or due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
Autumn teaching
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- American Identities
- American Literature in the Long Twentieth Century
- Film Musicals
- Humans and Animals
- Inner Worlds: Literature, 800-1750
- Lyric Poetry
- Outer Worlds: Literature, 800-1750
- Picasso to Kahlo: Transatlantic Dialogues
- Romanticism
- Science and Literature
- The African American Experience
- The Art of Short Fiction
- The Novel
Spring teaching
- American Arts
- American Cities
- American Popular Music
- Contemporary Literature and Culture
- English in the United States
- Latin American Cinema: Contemporary Trends and Movements
- Literature and Philosophy
- Literature, Politics and Culture in Postwar Britain
- Modernisms
- Politics of Governance: USA
- Queer America
- Romance
- Sense and Sexuality: Women and Writing in the Eighteenth Century
- Staging the Renaissance: Shakespeare
- The Arts and Literature of Satire
- The Nineteenth-Century American Short Story
- Time and Place: 1861: The Coming of the American Civil War
- Victorian Things
- Writing Poetry
You spend your third year studying at one of our US or Canadian partners’ campuses. Our range of partner institutions represents every facet of the American experience, and includes:
- UC Berkeley and UCLA
- Tulane University in New Orleans and the University of North Carolina
- Georgetown University and George Washington University, Washington, DC.
Whether you are interested in Native American culture, the Civil Rights movement, or American modernist poetry, Sussex offers you a unique experience while studying in North America.
Please note: Courses with a study abroad year are not eligible for USA federal Direct Loan funds. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid
We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to COVID-19, or due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. It may not be possible to take some module combinations due to timetabling constraints. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Options
You choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.
While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.
Autumn teaching
- American Studies Dissertation
- American Teen Cinema: Coming of Age on Screen
- Capital Culture: Money, Commerce and Writing
- Class, Culture and Contemporary Writing
- Islam, Literature and the 'West'
- Posthuman/Premodern
- Psychoanalysis and Modernism
- Special Author: Virginia Woolf
- Special Author: Vladimir Nabokov
- Special Author: William Blake
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part 1
- Technologies of Capture: Photography and Nineteenth Century Literature
- The Golden State: Art in California, 1945-1981
- Writing Race, Gender, and the Social: Experiments Beyond Representation
Autumn and spring teaching
- History Dissertation: Thinking about War in America
- History Special Dissertation: The United States in the Middle East, 1917-Present
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement
- Special Subject: The United States in the Middle East, 1917-Present
- Special Subject: Thinking about War in America, 1890-1990
Spring teaching
- America in the 21st Century
- Championing Literacy Placement
- Decolonising the Curriculum: Literature and Theory of the Global South
- Dissertation (ENGLISH)
- Novel Theory
- Queer Literatures
- School Placement Project
- Special Subject: The Civil Rights Movement Part 2
- Spectacular Imaginings: Early Modern Drama and the Stage
- The United States in the World
Find out about American Studies at the University of Sussex
Our staff
American Studies
English
Fees
- Home students:
- £9,250 per year
- Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
- £9,250 per year
- International students:
- £18,500 per year
- Study abroad:
- Find out about grants and funding, tuition fees and insurance costs for studying abroad
Note that your fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis as the Government reviews the fee levels.
Additional costs
Note about additional costs
Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We'll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out tips for budgeting as a student here.
Spectacular Imaginings: Renaissance Drama and the Stage 1580-1640 module
You'll travel to Shakespeare’s Globe (the theatre in London) and can use this learning for your assessed work. We cover the cost of tickets and workshops. We'll reimburse reasonable travel costs (this means that we cover travel to and from the Globe but not, for example, travel from an overseas destination to the Globe).
Trips
There are occasional trips to museums, galleries and cultural partners. Travel is not normally reimbursed but can be subsidised depending on the project.
Sussex Writes
Students who lead creative writing workshops in secondary schools will have their reasonable travel and other costs covered.
Study Abroad
This course includes a study abroad year. Find out about additional costs - such as visas, flights and insurance - at Study abroad fees and costs. Any questions? Contact the Study abroad team
Find out about typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
Scholarships
Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.
Article 26 Scholarship
- Full international tuition fee waiver
- £11,500 maintenance per year of undergraduate study (up to 4 years)
- Sussexsport membership
Chancellors International and EU Business School Scholarships
£5,000 per year of full time study
Chancellors International and EU Engineering and Informatics Scholarships
£5,000 per year of full time study
Professor Colin Eaborn Chemistry Scholarship
Up to £2,000 for BSc students, up to £3,000 for MChem students.
Sports Scholarships Scheme (Undergraduate)
Recipients of the scholarship can receive between £500-£1,250 per year as well as a range of other benefits.
Sussex Bursary (2021/2022)
£1,000 in your first year of study (either Year 1 or Foundation Year).
£500 in subsequent years.
Undergraduate Enrichment Award
£6,000 paid in instalments over the course of the Bachelors degree.
Careers
You learn a range of analytical and communication skills, and how to think critically across disciplines. On your year abroad you’ll gain invaluable cultural and social perspectives. As a result, you will be in demand in fields such as:
- journalism and marketing
- TV and film production
- finance and industry.
Graduate destinations
Our recent American Studies graduates have started work as:
- Junior Account Executive, Alexandra Public Relations
- Fundraising and Social Media Officer, St Michael’s Fellowship
- Education Co-ordinator, Whitechapel Gallery
(School of Media, Arts and Humanities careers database)
Working while you study
Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
I couldn’t have done any of this without Sussex. Living and studying in another country has been crucial to my career.”Lucy Westcott
International Reporter, Newsweek