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2026/27

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BA Philosophy and International Relations

  • UCAS code
    VL52
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2027/28
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2027/28
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Combine the study of philosophy with international relations, and develop a deeper understanding of the world we live in with our BA Philosophy and International Relations.

Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures of philosophy. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to study non-Western philosophies, especially Indian philosophy.

Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In your second and third years, you'll have the opportunity to explore your interests in more depth, with modules such as Ethical Argument, Global Philosophies and Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy.

Studying international relations will give you a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject, such as political ideas and international relations theory. You will have the opportunity to learn about international relations both in breadth and in depth, through a range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as European political integration, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East.

You will be taught in small interactive seminar groups, in which discussion and debate with teaching staff and fellow students is encouraged. Our small class sizes ensure that you will receive dedicated, individual attention.

You will also have the opportunity to undertake work placements and study abroad in your second or final year.

We are ranked in the top 125 universities in the world for Arts and Humanities and those offering History, Philosophy and Theology (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, 2026).

Placement

We encourage you to take placements as they provide you with a chance to put your newly acquired knowledge and skills into practice, as well as allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience.

You can undertake a placement at any point in your degree and work in a company or charity relevant to your studies. For example, a previous student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.

You can also choose our four-year BA Philosophy and International Relations with Placement Experience course, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and third year of study.

Other students have chosen to study abroad for one semester in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.


New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The home tuition fee for 2027 entry is £10,050. The home tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study.

New international students: £26,850 for 2027/28. The international tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

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.

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

Our innovative Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship is focused on creating a community of future leaders. We’re awarding up to 400 scholarships per year to high-achieving students from the UK and overseas who are passionate about environmental sustainability.

Each scholar receives £6,000 a year (towards living costs), for up to four years, plus a tailored development scheme. The scheme provides opportunities to develop knowledge and leadership skills relevant to addressing climate and nature issues, and to engage in cross-disciplinary learning and action. Terms and conditions apply.

Find out more about the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship scheme.

 

Throughout your degree, you will have the opportunity to complete modules with a focus on careers and skills, encouraging you to think about what careers you would like and what skills you will need.

Studying philosophy will enable you to develop a range of transferable skills in clear thinking, logical analysis and the critical assessment of argument. Such skills are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing. 

Overall 93% of graduates from Philosophy and 95% of graduates from Politics and International Relations are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2026, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023/24 includes all Philosophy responders and first degree Politics and International Relations responders).

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. Other graduates have found employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government, and previous employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, local authorities and other universities.

Some of our graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, or through conversion courses and teacher training. 

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

At the University of Reading, we help you turn your environmental and sustainability values into opportunities that make a difference to your career and the wider world.

Employers are already reshaping their businesses to respond to climate change, and they increasingly value graduates with expertise in environmental stewardship – one of the fastest-growing skill areas (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025).

During your time at Reading, you’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities and support. This will help you graduate with the knowledge and confidence to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges in your career.

In 2025, the University of Reading won the AGCAS Green Careers Award. Judges highlighted the impact of our Careers service and the positive outcomes our students achieve.

Explore climate and sustainability initiatives you can get involved with as a student at Reading.