簡介：American studies had suffered one of the biggest falls in applications of any subject in March 2012. The surge in popularity that followed the election of Barack Obama was sustained until higher fees were introduced. But a 19 per cent drop in the latest statistics confirmed fears that many potential candidates would switch to subjects with better employment prospects. American studies is among the bottom ten subjects for the proportion of graduates going straight into graduate-level work or further study. Salary levels have improved, however, for those who do find graduate jobs: the ￡19,440 average this year is only just inside the bottom 20 for all subjects. Warwick remains well clear of the field, sharing the lead for research quality and boasting much the highest entry standards. Only Essex, in tenth place, had a better employment record – still only seven out of ten leavers going straight into graduate-level jobs or continuing their studies. Manchester was the other research star in the 2008 assessments, while the most satisfied students are at second-placed Leicester. Satisfaction levels are high throughout the table: none of the 21 universities failed to satisfy at least three quarters of their final-year undergraduates. Kent has made the most progress in the upper reaches of the table, taking fifth place, behind East Anglia and Birmingham, thanks to improved graduate employment levels. Portsmouth is the top-rated new university and the only one to enter the last Research Assessment Exercise. Dundee and Swansea are the only universities from outside England. Entry scores are more bunched than in many subjects, with only five universities averaging more than 400 points and none slipping below 250. Nine out of ten students taking American Studies have A levels or equivalent qualifications and there is an impressive level of firsts and 2:1s.