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Study BA International Relations and Economics and you will develop a deep understanding of the critical political and economic issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live.
In international relations, you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements such as political ideas and international relations theory. You will have the opportunity to study a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as European political integration, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East.
In economics, you will study both applied and practical issues and focus on the relationship between economics and society. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules with extensive support, should you need it. Optional modules span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change.
Most of your contact time will be spent in seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
Overview
In international relations, you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements such as political ideas and international relations theory. You will have the opportunity to study a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as European political integration, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East.
In economics, you will study both applied and practical issues and focus on the relationship between economics and society. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules with extensive support, should you need it. Optional modules span a number of topics, including business, policy, economic history and even the economics of climate change.
Most of your contact time will be spent in seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall including minimum 4 in Maths at standard level
GCSE
Maths at Grade B (6) or above
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Yutong Li |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Rob Jubb |
PO1DCC | Degree Core Competencies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Christoph Arndt |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | DR Minyan Zhu |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC243 | Economic History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Carl Singleton |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
EC209 | History of Economic Thought | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC207 | Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences | MR Adesola Olumayowa Sunmoni |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Mark Shanahan |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Matthew Whiting |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2PHC | Political Classics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO2COS | Contemporary Strategy | DR Kenton White |
PO2TMP | The Media and Politics | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2WAP | War and Peace Since 1800 | DR Geoff Sloan |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC343 | Behavioural Economics | DR Stephen Kastoryano |
EC337 | Processes of Long Term Political and Economic Change | PROF Ken Dark |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | DR Carl Singleton |
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Shixuan Wang |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC348 | Business History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC3DSI | Dissertation (for Joint degrees) | PROF Ken Dark |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
PO3FAR | The Far Right | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO3DIS | Dissertation | DR Adam Humphreys |
PO3BFD | British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945 | DR Kenton White |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Martin Binder |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Christina Hellmich |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3WIR | Worlding International Relations | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO3MEA | Politics & International Relations of the Middle East | DR Younis Lahwej |
PO3RIS | Risk | DR Alice Baderin |
PO3WPE | War, Peace and International Ethics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £17,320 per year
*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
Through this course you will develop strong analytical and research skills, as well as becoming experienced in delivering presentations and working as part of a group. These transferable skills will prove immensely valuable when applying for jobs related to your studies and in different fields altogether.
Past students have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the home and European civil services, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and journalism. Others have gone into advertising, PR, media and banking.