BA Philosophy and Politics
-
UCAS code
LV25 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong, develop an understanding of philosophical arguments and political theory through our joint honours BA Philosophy and Politics degree.
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.
Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In your second and final years you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen subjects in more depth, with modules such as Contemporary Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Crime and Punishment and the History of Political Philosophy. You will also have the chance to examine non-Western philosophies, such as Indian philosophy.
By studying politics you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject such as political ideas and democratic processes. You can study a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topics such as British government and politics, European political integration, and political thinking. In 2022, we achieved a 95% satisfaction score for BA Philosophy (National Student Survey 2022).
You will be taught in small interactive seminar groups, encouraging discussion and debate with teaching staff and fellow students. Our small class sizes ensure you will receive dedicated, individual attention.
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement, and there is the opportunity to study abroad in your second or final year.
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 final year studies. For example, a previous student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.
Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.
Overview
Examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong, develop an understanding of philosophical arguments and political theory through our joint honours BA Philosophy and Politics degree.
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.
Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In your second and final years you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen subjects in more depth, with modules such as Contemporary Political Philosophy, Philosophy of Crime and Punishment and the History of Political Philosophy. You will also have the chance to examine non-Western philosophies, such as Indian philosophy.
By studying politics you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject such as political ideas and democratic processes. You can study a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topics such as British government and politics, European political integration, and political thinking. In 2022, we achieved a 95% satisfaction score for BA Philosophy (National Student Survey 2022).
You will be taught in small interactive seminar groups, encouraging discussion and debate with teaching staff and fellow students. Our small class sizes ensure you will receive dedicated, individual attention.
All students are encouraged to undertake a work placement, and there is the opportunity to study abroad in your second or final year.
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 final year studies. For example, a previous student worked at a zoo to learn more about the ethical treatment of animals.
Other students have chosen to study abroad for one term in their second or final year. Partner institutions include universities in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan or Australia.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
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 7.0, with no component below 6.0
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 |
---|---|---|
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Andrew Reid |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Amanda Hall |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PP1EL | Elementary Logic | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR George Mason |
PP1MM | Mental Machines | DR Nat Hansen |
PP1RG | The Right and the Good | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1WRI | Writing the Philosophical Essay | DR Luke Elson |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | PROF Julian Park |
AR1EMP10 | Early Empires: Mesopotamia, Egypt & Rome [10 credits] | PROF Roger Matthews |
AR1REV | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1REV10 | Revolutions in Human Behaviour: 4 Million Years BC to the Present [10 credits] | PROF Steve Mithen |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
AR1SOC10 | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology [10 credits] | DR Alanna Cant |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR Jenny Chamarette |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Simone Knox |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | PROF Julia Waters |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | MR Federico Faloppa |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
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 |
---|---|---|
PO2PHC | Political Classics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2ADC | Advanced Degree Competencies | DR Amanda Hall |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Kiwi Ting |
PO2COS | Contemporary Strategy | DR Kenton White |
PO2GPH | Global Politics and History | DR Kerry Goettlich |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2MUN | Model United Nations | DR Sarah Von Billerbeck |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2RTW | Russia in the World | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2TMP | The Media and Politics | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO2WAP | War and Peace Since 1800 | DR Geoff Sloan |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2EA2 | Ethical Argument 2: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2GP2 | Global Philosophy 2 | DR Shalini Sinha |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2HKW2 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 2 | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2IDR2 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 2 | MR Petter Sandstad |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM2 | Meaning and the Mind 2 | MR Petter Sandstad |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP2OID2 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 2 | DR Charlotte Newey |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
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 |
---|---|---|
PO3BFD | British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945 | DR Kenton White |
PO3CSS | Introduction to Critical Security Studies | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO3DCW | Dynamics of Civil Wars | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO3DIS | Dissertation | DR Adam Humphreys |
PO3FAR | The Far Right | PROF Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Sarah Goff |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Martin Binder |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Amanda Hall |
PO3MAR | Karl Marx | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO3MEA | Politics & International Relations of the Middle East | DR Younis Lahwej |
PO3NUK | The Politics of Nuclear Weapons | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3WPE | War, Peace and International Ethics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PP3AEST | Aesthetics | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP3BESR | Business Ethics and Social Responsibility | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3CP | Chinese Philosophy | PROF John Preston |
PP3DIS | Dissertation in Philosophy | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP3FAI | Fairness | DR Charlotte Newey |
PP3HGML | Happy, Good and Meaningful Lives | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3LA | Philosophy of Law | DR George Mason |
PP3LANG | Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death | DR Nat Hansen |
PP3MEDI | Christian, Islamic and Jewish Mediaeval Philosophy | DR Luke Elson |
PP3MOA | The Morality of Abortion | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3REL | Philosophy of Religion | DR George Mason |
PP3RVK | Reason, Value & Knowledge | PROF Philip Stratton-Lake |
PP3SCF | The Scandal of Film | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP3SPA | Speech Attacks: bullshit, lies, propaganda | DR Nat Hansen |
PP3SSG | Society and State in Ancient Greece | DR George Mason |
PP3WMA | Wittgenstein’s Philosophy of Mind and Action | DR Severin Schroeder |
PP3WWP | World Views in Western Philosophy | PROF John Preston |
ED3TS3 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 3 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
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.
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
Throughout your degree you will have the opportunity to complete career-related modules. These enable you to think about what career you would like and what skills you will need for it.
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, 91% of graduates from the Department of Politics and International Relations are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation.[1]
We are ranked 7th in the UK for graduate prospects in Philosophy. (Complete University Guide 2023). 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 graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level, or through conversion courses and teacher training.
[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data © HESA 2022, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20; includes first degree Politics and International Relations responders.