Overview

The American Studies programme at the University of California, Davis offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to understanding the diverse and complex cultural landscape of the United States. By integrating perspectives from various academic fields, students gain a holistic view of the social, historical, and environmental forces that shape American life. This degree encourages critical thinking and creative problem-solving, preparing graduates to address contemporary societal challenges with a nuanced understanding of identity and heritage.

Why American Studies at the University of California, Davis?

As one of the oldest programmes of its kind in the nation, this department provides a small, liberal arts college experience within the setting of a major research university. Students benefit from close interaction with faculty members who hold expertise in areas such as gender, race, film, and food science. The curriculum is designed to be transformative, moving beyond rote learning to foster deep curiosity and clear communication skills. Facilities and research opportunities allow undergraduates to work directly with faculty on projects that bridge the gap between academics and real-world impact.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 53472 per year
National fee: USD 53472 per year
Local fee: USD 14202 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum begins with foundational coursework before moving into specialised upper-division seminars. Students have the flexibility to select advanced work from other departments to create a personalised subject emphasis. Modules may include:

Ethnic and Cultural Studies
History
Literature
American Studies
Science and Technology in American Culture
Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
Cinema and Digital Media
Senior Thesis

Careers with American Studies

Graduates from this programme translate their analytical skills into a wide variety of professional sectors. The interdisciplinary nature of the degree prepares students for roles that require making connections between complex social issues and practical solutions. Alumni have successfully secured positions in diverse fields, including:

Museum Curator
Journalist
Policy Analyst
Public Relations Specialist
Teacher
City Planning and Community Development
Product Management
Labour Relations

Many graduates also pursue advanced degrees in subjects such as Cultural Studies, Folklore, Law, and Clinical Psychology. Notable employers of former students include the State of California, K-12 school districts, and various non-profit organisations, as well as major private sector companies in consulting and technology.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

History of the United States

Women & Gender
America, to 1865

Women & Gender in America, 1865-Present

Critical Gender Studies

Literature

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-02 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

115

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Davis, United States

Disciplines

American and Australasian studies View 538 other Bachelors in American and Australasian studies in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Students who are not residents of California must earn a GPA of 3.40 or higher.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

115

Take A Free Practice Test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

To be competitive for freshman admission to UC Davis, prospective students must be on track to earn a high school diploma (or equivalent) and meet all UC freshman admission requirements. Our campus then reviews and assesses all applications as part of our UC Davis freshman application review process.

Freshman 1applicants are required to take the ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay no later than December 31 of the year they apply.

International students must meet the same admission requirements and will be included in the same selection process as students from the United States.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Out-of-State

53472 USD / year

≈ 53472 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14202 USD / year

≈ 14202 USD / year

Living costs

Davis

United States

1100 - 1600 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for American Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Davis

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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