BA Politics and Economics with a Placement Year
-
UCAS code
L2L1 -
A level offer
Course closed for September 2023 entry -
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2024/25 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
Develop a deep understanding of the political and economic issues that shape our world, and gain professional experience, with our BA Politics and Economics with Placement Year degree.
At the University of Reading, our four-year joint course is offered by the School of Politics and International Relations and the Department of Economics.
In politics, our wide range of core and optional modules will give you a strong foundation in topics such as:
- comparative government and politics
- political theory
- international relations
- contemporary democracy.
In economics, you will examine practical economic issues and, more widely, the relationship between economics and society, focusing on topics such as:
- macroeconomics
- microeconomics
- economic institutions
- economics of social policy.
You will focus on how economic tools can be applied to different markets and situations, acquiring the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable you to solve the problems that are challenging policy makers and businesses all over the world.
You will also analyse economic issues using a range of economic theories and methods, including the theory of games and strategic interactions, and natural and behavioural experiments.
Placement year
This course features an integrated professional placement between your second and last year of study, an opportunity to enhance your employability and build your network. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.
Learn from active participants in the world of politics and economics
You will benefit from a learning environment driven by high-quality research:
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for research output in Politics and International Studies, with 97% of research output rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output).
- In Economics, 100% of our research impact rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework [REF] 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies).
Our research has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank. What you study throughout your degree will be aligned with our research clusters, keeping you up to date with the latest developments in economics.
Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues and engaging in real-world politics. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant.
In your final year, you can construct your own portfolio of specialist, research-led modules in both subjects and write a dissertation in either politics or economics.
Shape your degree with real-world modules
You will be able to bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with optional modules, such as:
- Model United Nations – Visit an overseas conference and take part in a simulation of the United Nations in action, engaging with students and academics from other universities across Europe and the UK.
- Media and Politics – Introduce yourself to key topics in the study of the media and media power and produce a politics radio show.
- Economics of Sport and Games – Study how the competitive and controlled environments within sport can provide laboratories to study human behaviour, test theories, and observe the impacts of policy.
- Public Economics – Assume the role of a government adviser and write policy briefs that address public policy issues.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or a term abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.
Overview
Develop a deep understanding of the political and economic issues that shape our world, and gain professional experience, with our BA Politics and Economics with Placement Year degree.
At the University of Reading, our four-year joint course is offered by the School of Politics and International Relations and the Department of Economics.
In politics, our wide range of core and optional modules will give you a strong foundation in topics such as:
- comparative government and politics
- political theory
- international relations
- contemporary democracy.
In economics, you will examine practical economic issues and, more widely, the relationship between economics and society, focusing on topics such as:
- macroeconomics
- microeconomics
- economic institutions
- economics of social policy.
You will focus on how economic tools can be applied to different markets and situations, acquiring the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable you to solve the problems that are challenging policy makers and businesses all over the world.
You will also analyse economic issues using a range of economic theories and methods, including the theory of games and strategic interactions, and natural and behavioural experiments.
Placement year
This course features an integrated professional placement between your second and last year of study, an opportunity to enhance your employability and build your network. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.
Learning
Learn from active participants in the world of politics and economics
You will benefit from a learning environment driven by high-quality research:
- We are ranked 6th in the UK for research output in Politics and International Studies, with 97% of research output rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output).
- In Economics, 100% of our research impact rated as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence Framework [REF] 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies).
Our research has real-world applications and has informed policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations, and agencies such as the UN and the World Bank. What you study throughout your degree will be aligned with our research clusters, keeping you up to date with the latest developments in economics.
Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues and engaging in real-world politics. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant.
In your final year, you can construct your own portfolio of specialist, research-led modules in both subjects and write a dissertation in either politics or economics.
Shape your degree with real-world modules
You will be able to bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with optional modules, such as:
- Model United Nations – Visit an overseas conference and take part in a simulation of the United Nations in action, engaging with students and academics from other universities across Europe and the UK.
- Media and Politics – Introduce yourself to key topics in the study of the media and media power and produce a politics radio show.
- Economics of Sport and Games – Study how the competitive and controlled environments within sport can provide laboratories to study human behaviour, test theories, and observe the impacts of policy.
- Public Economics – Assume the role of a government adviser and write policy briefs that address public policy issues.
Study Abroad
As part of your degree, you can apply to study for a year or a term abroad at one of our partner universities in Australia, Canada, the USA, or across Europe.
Entry requirements A Level Course closed for September 2023 entry BTEC offer Course closed for September 2023 entry
Applications for 2023/24 entry (September start dates) are now closed. Please view the 2024/25 course page for information about the next year of entry.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | DR Carolyn Molesworth-St Aubyn |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Anwesha Mukherjee |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Andy Chung |
PO1DCC | Degree Core Competencies | DR Amanda Hall |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Kiwi Ting |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Andrew Reid |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Amanda Hall |
PO1PCC | Politics of Climate Change | DR David Marshall |
PO1PLA | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | DR Minyan Zhu |
EC202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | DR Carl Singleton |
PO2ADC | Advanced Degree Competencies | DR Amanda Hall |
PO2PLA | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC207 | Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences | MR Adesola Olumayowa Sunmoni |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
EC224 | Games and Economic Behaviour | DR Steven Bosworth |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings |
EC243 | Economic History | DR Andrew Primmer |
EC2WEP | Work Experience Year | PROF Sarah Jewell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Victor Araujo Silva |
PO2COS | Contemporary Strategy | DR Kenton White |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2MUN | Model United Nations | DR Sarah Von Billerbeck |
PO2PHC | Political Classics | DR Rufaida Al Hashmi |
PO2PPY | Professional Placement Year | DR Kenton White |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2SAA | Study Abroad | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO2SAB | Study Abroad | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO2SAC | Study Abroad | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2TMP | The Media and Politics | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO2WAP | War and Peace Since 1800 | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO2WPP | Work Placement and Project | DR Kenton White |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2PPY | Professional Placement Year | DR Kenton White |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Jade Siu |
EC319 | Development Economics | DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings |
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Christos Mavrodimitrakis |
EC322 | Economics of Labour | PROF Sarah Jewell |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | PROF James Reade |
EC334 | Environmental Economics | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC343 | Behavioural Economics | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC3DSI | Dissertation (for Joint degrees) | DR Hussein Hassan |
PO3BFD | British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945 | DR Kenton White |
PO3DIS | Dissertation | DR Adam Humphreys |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Scott Edwards |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Amanda Hall |
PO3MEA | Politics & International Relations of the Middle East | DR Younis Lahwej |
PO3NUK | The Politics of Nuclear Weapons | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO3PPL | Populism | DR Kiwi Ting |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3WPE | War, Peace and International Ethics | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250*
New international students: £20,300
*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.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
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
Our degree will help you develop strong analytical and research skills and gain experience in delivering presentations and working as part of a group, which makes you suitable for a wide range of careers. Graduates with degrees in social science 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 skills to direct use in:
- home and European civil services
- political research units
- think tanks
- non-governmental organisations
- journalism
- media
- retail
- management consultancy
- banking.