Triangle

Research overview

Studying American culture and history illuminates the crucial role the US has played in shaping the modern world. It also highlights the tensions around race, class, and gender that have fuelled the expression and reception of the nation's founding values.

If you already have a clear idea of the area and topic you wish to research as a PhD, then you can effectively lay the groundwork for this by doing a masters by research.

Our particular areas of research specialism include:

  • African American literature, history and culture
  • American art and visual culture
  • American intellectual history
  • American labour history
  • American music and popular culture
  • American political history
  • American print culture and book history
  • Asian American literature and culture
  • Border studies
  • Civil rights and social justice
  • Contemporary American fiction
  • Crime, prisons and criminal justice
  • Disability studies
  • Feminist theory
  • Gender and queer studies
  • History of psychiatry
  • Immigrant writing
  • Indigenous culture
  • Latinx culture
  • Memory Studies
  • Nineteenth-century American literature and culture
  • US foreign policy

Find out more about our research.

Course content

You will take 180 credits. This is made up of a selection of taught modules (worth 60 credits), and a 25,000-word research dissertation (worth 120 credits).

You will also attend research training sessions and regular graduate 'work-in-progress' seminars, led by the research student community. They are an opportunity to present your ongoing research to your peers, supervisors and invited academic staff and research students. You will then receive feedback and support. You will contribute a paper in semester two.

Your core module is a 120-credit dissertation:

This module involves the selection, research and writing up of a 25,000-word dissertation in the field of  American Studies.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on 19 September 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

QualificationMRes
Degree

2:1 (or international equivalent) in an arts, humanities or social science subject

Applying

MRes applicants are encouraged to get in touch with the Departmental Director of Postgraduate Research (currently Dr Ruth Maxey) to discuss their areas of research interest prior to submitting their application.

Our step-by-step guide contains everything you need to know about applying for postgraduate research.

How to apply

Fees

QualificationMRes
Home / UK£5,350
International£23,000

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

Books

You'll be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to buy your own copies of core texts.

Placements

For voluntary placements (such as work experience or teaching in schools), you will need to pay your own travel and subsistence.

Funding

There are funding opportunities which are only open to students within the Faculty of Arts.

Postgraduate funding for Faculty of Arts students

There are many ways to fund your research degree, from scholarships to government loans.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Support

The department offers:

  • advanced research training
  • frequent reviews and feedback on progress
  • departmental research seminars/work in progress sessions
  • support for research trips and conference attendance
  • inter-library loan

We also offer regular conferences and symposia organised by staff and students.

You will be encouraged to organise and attend conferences, act as editors for postgraduate journals, and publish book reviews and articles.

There are regular opportunities to take part in outreach activities, public talks and departmental events. In addition to serving as Departmental Outreach and Engagement Coordinators and Directors of our LGBT and Black History Month programmes, students are given logistical and financial support in order to run their own conferences and organise a week-long research retreat.

Expert supervision

You will have two supervisors who are an active part of our established research staff. They will:

  • regularly read your work
  • attend your work-in-progress presentation
  • provide frequent reviews and feedback

View staff profiles for the Department of American and Canadian Studies.

Researcher training and development

The Researcher Academy is the network for researchers, and staff who support them. We work together to promote a healthy research culture, to cultivate researcher excellence, and develop creative partnerships that enable researchers to flourish.

Postgraduate researchers at Nottingham have access to our online Members’ area, which includes a wealth of resources, access to training courses and award-winning postgraduate placements.

Graduate centres

Our graduate centres are dedicated community spaces on campus for postgraduates.

Each space has areas for:

  • studying
  • socialising
  • computer work
  • seminars
  • kitchen facilities

Student support

You will have access to a range of support services, including:

  • academic and disability support
  • childcare services
  • counselling service
  • faith support
  • financial support
  • mental health and wellbeing support
  • visa and immigration advice
  • welfare support

Students' Union

Our Students' Union represents all students. You can join the Postgraduate Students’ Network or contact the dedicated Postgraduate Officer.

There are also a range of support networks, including groups for:

  • international students
  • black and minority ethnic students
  • students who identify as women
  • students with disabilities
  • LGBT+ students

SU Advice provides free, independent and confidential advice on issues such as accommodation, financial and academic difficulties.

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Where you will learn

University Park Campus

University Park Campus covers 300 acres, with green spaces, wildlife, period buildings and modern facilities. It is one of the UK's most beautiful and sustainable campuses, winning a national Green Flag award every year since 2003.

Most schools and departments are based here. You will have access to libraries, shops, cafes, the Students’ Union, sports village and a health centre.

You can walk or cycle around campus. Free hopper buses connect you to our other campuses. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Careers

Whether you are considering a career in academia, industry or haven't yet decided, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Expert staff will work with you to explore PhD career options and apply for vacancies, develop your interview skills and meet employers. You can book a one-to-one appointment, take an online course or attend a workshop.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

MatthewPethers
An interest in the remarkable cultural transformations which America underwent from the colonial period to the early twentieth century underpins all my research. The crucial role that periodicals, printing technologies, plays, novels and letter-writing have played in shaping America's relationship with Europe, and the nation's founding values’ expression and contestation through these media, is the recurring focus of my published work. I see such cultural forces as invaluable tools for considering the particular tensions around race, class, and gender that define the American experience, and how different artistic forms can be used to include and exclude certain social groups.
Dr Matthew Pethers, Head of Department and Associate Professor in American Intellectual and Cultural History

Related courses

Research Excellence Framework

The University of Nottingham is ranked 7th in the UK for research power, according to analysis by Times Higher Education. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national assessment of the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

  • 96% of research activity from the Department of American and Canadian Studies was assessed as ‘world-leading’ and ‘internationally excellent’
  • 90%* of our research is classed as 'world-leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*)
  • 100%* of our research is recognised internationally
  • 51% of our research is assessed as 'world-leading' (4*) for its impact**

*According to analysis by Times Higher Education ** According to our own analysis.

This content was last updated on 19 September 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.