Drawing on the research strengths of the Department of Politics and International Relations’ strategic specialists, this BA War, Peace and International Relations course enables you to specialise in war, peace, strategy and the issues that surround conflict.
It will especially appeal to you if you are interested in learning about the role of military strategy and defence policy in conflict resolution.
Most of your contact time will be spent in small seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion. You will study war in a historical context and consider challenging questions such as whether war can ever be justified or whether peace should be maintained at all costs. In your final year, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of optional modules and develop interests in other areas of politics.
Through our Model United Nations and Middle East simulations, you can apply what you have learnt to a practical situation and gain an insight into the political process. Should you wish to gain real-world experience, you can undertake a work experience module or opt to carry out a year-long placement. The skills and knowledge these opportunities provide will prepare you for your future career, whether it be related to politics or in an entirely different field.
You also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.Overview
It will especially appeal to you if you are interested in learning about the role of military strategy and defence policy in conflict resolution.
Most of your contact time will be spent in small seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion. You will study war in a historical context and consider challenging questions such as whether war can ever be justified or whether peace should be maintained at all costs. In your final year, you will be able to choose from a wide variety of optional modules and develop interests in other areas of politics.
Through our Model United Nations and Middle East simulations, you can apply what you have learnt to a practical situation and gain an insight into the political process. Should you wish to gain real-world experience, you can undertake a work experience module or opt to carry out a year-long placement. The skills and knowledge these opportunities provide will prepare you for your future career, whether it be related to politics or in an entirely different field.
You also have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year.
For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 pts overall
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
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 |
---|---|---|
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Rob Jubb |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO1DCC | Degree Core Competencies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MS Sandra Preciado |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR James Hellings |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | DR Federico Faloppa |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | PROF Julia Waters |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1FRE | Freedom | DR Rob Jubb |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2COS | Contemporary Strategy | DR Kenton White |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2WAP | War and Peace Since 1800 | DR Geoff Sloan |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Matthew Whiting |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Mark Shanahan |
PO2PHC | Political Classics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO2TMP | The Media and Politics | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO3DIS | Dissertation | DR Adam Humphreys |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
PO3FAR | The Far Right | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO3BFD | British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945 | DR Kenton White |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3RIS | Risk | DR Alice Baderin |
PO3WIR | Worlding International Relations | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO3WPE | War, Peace and International Ethics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3MEA | Politics & International Relations of the Middle East | DR Younis Lahwej |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Christina Hellmich |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Martin Binder |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
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 and become experienced in delivering presentations and working in a group which makes you suitable for a wide range of careers. Graduates with degrees in social sciences subjects such as politics and international relations are highly sought after by employers for their wide range of transferable skills.
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 media, retail, management consultancy and banking.
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