American Studies
PhD, MPhil
The Centre for American Studies was established in 1997 and since then has cemented its place as one of the UK's leading providers of American Studies degrees.
Staff research expertise are extensive, but are especially strong in the modern and contemporary periods with interests including:
- The Civil Rights Movement
- American Culture of the 1950s
- 20th Century US Foreign Policy
- Hollywood Melodrama
- American Culture since 9/11
Supervision and research areas
Staff in the Centre are drawn from a number of the University's School/Departments, please see the relevant pages for more advice on specific aspects of American Studies research and staff supervisory interests:
Study is campus based with the option to study by distance learning in History and Politics and International Relations. See above web pages for further details.
Entry requirements
You must hold a UK undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree with at least First Class or Upper Second-Class honours or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution and normally a Master's degree in a relevant subject.
See academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements.
How to apply
Refer to subject pages above.
Fees and funding
Refer to the relevant subject area pages above.
For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.
PhD description
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team.
PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The maximum period of registration permitted before thesis submission is 4 years full time / 7 years part time.
Active research (including all experimental work, laboratory work, field work, and data collection) will typically take 3 to 3.5 years full time / 6 to 6.5 years part time. On completion of active research students may request approval to register for a writing-up period of up to 12 months.
The period of active research and writing-up together must not exceed the maximum registration period
The thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.
