Master in American Studies

Master in American Studies is one of 3 English-taught Area Studies programmes at Master's Degree level in the register, offered by 3 institutions. 3 of them list an annual fee for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, from EUR 4,000 to EUR 10,800; this programme lists EUR 10,800 a year. 3 are recorded as free for EU, EEA and Swiss students.

American Studies at the University of Southern Denmark is a two year master's programme taught in English. It looks at the United States through culture, politics, economics, literature and society, and asks what it actually means to be an American. The programme is interdisciplinary, drawing on several fields so you can analyse American cultural identities and the changing relationship between the US and the rest of the world.

What you study

The first semester has three required courses: one in history, one in cultural studies, and one in Theory and Method in American Studies. In the second semester you take two thematic courses, one in history and politics and one in literature and culture studies. For the remaining 10 ECTS you choose either an elective or an internship. Most electives sit in participating departments such as history, political science, English, media studies, religion, journalism and marketing. Courses are taught by researchers who cover American history, culture, politics, social studies, transnationalism and literature.

How the programme is organised

The degree runs over two years. The third semester is often spent on an internship in Denmark or abroad, or on exchange at a university overseas. SDU has many exchange agreements with American universities, so you can experience the country yourself. The programme also includes a specialisation in Art in American Studies. Teaching is in English, and you develop particular expertise through your choice of electives, internships, terms abroad and the topic of your MA thesis.

Who it suits

You should hold a bachelor's degree in a related subject. Previous students have come from history, politics, English studies, journalism and law. If your bachelor's is in another field but the Study Board deems it relevant, you can still be admitted. The programme suits students who want to understand the US in depth and who are ready to shape their own profile through electives, an internship or a semester abroad.

Admission, language and next steps

You apply directly to the University of Southern Denmark with all relevant documentation. You may need to document your English proficiency at a specified level. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland study free of charge. Other students pay a tuition fee set by the institution. SDU offers 75 scholarships yearly. If you are unsure whether your foreign certificate meets the general entry requirements, contact SDU directly. Exchange students should contact their home institution for application procedures and deadlines.

Master’s applications go straight to University of Southern Denmark, not through optagelse.dk, and the institution sets its own deadline. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, residence permits and housing.