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Studies & Degrees in British Culture

British culture as a subject looks at how people in Britain live, think and express themselves, and at how that has changed over time. It draws on literature, history, the visual arts, theatre, film and other media, politics and the English language itself. Because Britain's history is tied to its former empire, most programmes also study the English-speaking cultures that grew out of it. The Yale in London programme, for example, explores the arts, politics and culture in Britain and its diasporic and global histories.

The subject rarely has a degree to itself. It is usually part of a wider programme in English, British and American studies or cultural studies. The Universität Freiburg describes the range of its master's programme in this field as the world of Shakespeare as much as that of Walt Disney, studied through language varieties, literatures, media and the theories of cultural studies.

Qualifications and levels

The three schools listed for this subject show three ways of studying it.

  • Bachelor's degree: at Nanzan University in Nagoya, the Department of British and American Studies belongs to the Faculty of Foreign Studies. The first two years are intensive training in English listening, speaking, reading and writing. From the third year, students choose fields such as literature, linguistics, intercultural communication and international relations. The department notes that its later years focus mainly on the United States, and that many students spend a year as exchange students, mainly in North America but also in Britain and Australia
  • Master's degree: the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg offers an M.A. in British and North American Cultural Studies. It has 120 ECTS credits and a standard length of four semesters, and it is taught in English. Modules include British and postcolonial cultural studies, North American cultural studies, media cultures, and multilingualism and language policy
  • Study abroad programme: Yale University runs Yale in London for its undergraduates at the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art. The spring programme has four courses and the summer programme two, all carrying full Yale College credit. Teaching is in seminars, with day trips and visits to museums and other sites

Admission and language

English is both the working language and part of the subject, so the level required is high. Freiburg asks for English at CEFR level C1 for its master's and builds on a bachelor's degree with a focus on languages and literature or cultural studies. German is an advantage for daily life there, but the university states that it is not required. The programme starts in the winter semester; first-semester applications run from 1 June to 31 July for applicants from outside the EU and from 1 June to 15 September for EU citizens.

Yale in London has no prerequisites and is open to Yale students from any major and any year. The application deadline is in October for the spring term and in March for the summer programme.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists three schools for British culture, one each in Japan, the United States and Germany: Nanzan University in Nagoya, Yale University in New Haven and the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg. None of them is in the United Kingdom. Students who want to study the subject in Britain itself will usually find it inside degrees in English, history or cultural studies, and can use an exchange year or a programme such as Yale in London to spend time there.

Before applying, check the language of instruction. Freiburg's master's is taught in English. For Nanzan's degree programmes, ask the university which classes are taught in Japanese and which in English.

Careers

There are no official employment statistics for this subject on its own. Graduates use what the degree trains: advanced English, close reading, writing, and an understanding of how cultures work. Freiburg reports that alumni of its master's work in journalism, publishing and the media, in public relations, in political and cultural institutions and in international cooperation, and that an academic career is open to the strongest graduates. Nanzan says its department prepares students for careers in international business, among other options at home and abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Is British culture the same as English studies?

Not quite. English studies centres on the language and its literature. British culture is wider and includes history, media, politics and the arts, but the two overlap and are often taught in the same department.

Do I have to study in the United Kingdom?

No. The three listed schools are in Japan, the United States and Germany. Time in Britain usually comes through an exchange year or a study abroad programme.

What level of English do I need?

It depends on the programme. The master's at the Universität Freiburg requires CEFR level C1. Bachelor's programmes for non-native speakers, such as the one at Nanzan University, start with intensive English training.

How long does a master's in British cultural studies take?

The M.A. in British and North American Cultural Studies at Freiburg has 120 ECTS credits and a standard length of four semesters.