Skip to main content

University of Reading Cookie Policy

We use cookies on reading.ac.uk to improve your experience. Find out more about our cookie policy. By continuing to use our site you accept these terms, and are happy for us to use cookies to improve your browsing experience.

Continue using the University of Reading website

  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
Show/Hide navigation
University of Reading
Mobile search categories
  • Study and life
  • Research
  • About us
  • View courses
  • Home
  • Study and life
    • Study
    • Student life
    • Accommodation
    • Open Days and visiting
    • International and EU students
  • Research
    • Themes
    • Impact
    • Innovation and partnerships
    • Research environment
    • Get involved
  • About us
    • Business
    • Working with the community
    • Visit us
    • Strategy
    • Governance
    • Contact us
  • Applicants
  • Students
  • Staff
  • Alumni
  • Schools and departments
  • University of Reading Malaysia
  • Henley Business School
  • View courses

BA POLITICS AND ECONOMICS WITH PLACEMENT YEAR L2L1

View all

Full Time: 4 Years

Examine the key political and economic issues that dominate the headlines and develop a deep understanding of how they shape the world in which we live.

In politics, you will acquire a solid foundation in the fundamental aspects of the subject, including political ideas and democratic processes. Choose from a broad range of specialist, core and optional modules, spanning topics from British government and politics, to European political integration and political thinking. The course is flexible, and encourages you to forge your own pathway by selecting modules that reflect your interests. Gain first-hand experience through work placements, and gain direct insight into political processes and apply your skills and knowledge to real-world scenarios through our Model United Nations, US Foreign Policy and Middle East simulations.

You will also have the opportunity to hear from experts from the world of politics and international relations as part of our guest speaker programme, and learn directly from staff who are engaged in cutting-edge research. 80% of our research impact in politics was rated world leading or internationally excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2014), which directly feeds into your learning and, in 2017, we achieved a student satisfaction score of 92% for our teaching in the National Student Survey.

In economics, you will explore the relationship between economics and society, and acquire knowledge of both applied and practical issues. Less emphasis is placed on mathematical and statistical content, and instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still need to learn necessary maths skills in your core modules, but extensive support is available should you need it.

You will be able to choose from a wide variety of modules which cover the theoretical aspects of economics, as well as its real-world applications. Depending on your interests, optional modules cover topics including business, policy, economic history and the economics of climate change. You will be taught by staff who are active researchers, with many involved in research that informs policy decisions by governments, major multinational organisations and international agencies like the UN.

We are recognised for our high-quality research which feeds directly into your teaching, exposing you to the latest thinking and critical developments in the field. The University is ranked 10th in the UK for our research impact for Business and Management Studies (Times Higher Education Institutions Ranked by Subject, 2014, based on its analysis of REF 2014).

This joint degree also gives you the option to select modules from other subject areas including history and international relations. The majority of your learning will occur through small seminar groups, giving you the opportunity to interact directly with staff and contribute your own thoughts and opinions.

Typical offer A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall

Typical offer:

BBB

OR

to qualify for an Academic Excellence Scheme offer:

  • GCSE minimum requirement: six A* and four A (including grade B (6) in Maths)
  • Example profile: A*A*A*A*A*A*AAAA  

International Baccalaureate

30 points overall with at least grade 4 in Standard Level Maths or Maths Studies.

GCSE

GCSE Mathematics grade B (6)

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.

Further requirements

If you are an international student planning to apply for one of our degree programmes, you may need to take a foundation course or pre-sessional course if you do not have qualifications that are equivalent to British A levels or if you need to improve your English language level.

  • Look at entry requirements by country.
  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme.
  • Learn more about our international foundation programme.

What will you study?

How much will it cost?

New UK/EU students: £9,250* per year

New international students: £16,890 per year

* UK and EU fee changes

UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK and EU** students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

From 2020, the UK government may link tuition fees to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

**EU students

For more information on fees, loans and grants for EU students, see fees and funding for home/EU students.

Additional costs

These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.

What career can you have?

This joint degree will allow you to develop strong analytical and research skills, as well as becoming experienced in delivering presentations and working as part of a group. This makes you suitable for a wide range of careers both within the areas of politics and economics, and further afield.

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.

About the School


Visit the School of Politics, Economics and International Relations website.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

Related Courses

  • BA Politics and Economics LL12
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BA International Relations and Economics LL21
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BA War, Peace and International Relations L252
    Full Time: 3 Years
View all Economics degree courses courses
mask
Close
CHOOSE A SUBJECT
Undergraduates
Postgraduates

Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Science
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Science foundation programmes
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Conservation of Buildings
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Business Studies
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval Studies
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Planning
  • Plant Sciences
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teacher Training
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

Ready for more?

How to apply
Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
View courses
  • Charitable status 
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of use
  • Sitemap

© University of Reading