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BA International Relations and Economics with Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    LL22
  • A level offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  4 Years

Study BA International Relations and Economics with Placement Year and you will develop a deep understanding of the critical political and economic issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live.

Address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore ideas, theories and values that permeate politics and international relations. You will learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations, address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore the ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised.

Your learning is informed by our research and is led by expert staff who have direct experience of the world of politics and international affairs.

Most of your teaching time will be spent in group seminars, allowing you to interact directly with staff and other students, and add your own voice to the discussion. You will learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations, address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore the ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised.

You will be able to pursue your own interests through a wide range of specialist optional modules, which cover topical issues such as the politics of the welfare state, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East. You will also have the option to take modules in other subjects, such as economics and history, to broaden your knowledge and learn other skills.

Our Model United Nations and Middle East simulations give you the opportunity to get a direct feel for the political process and apply your knowledge and skills to a scenario that mimics real life. You can also take part in other activities that are related to politics. For example, you can contribute to the Department of Politics and International Relations' weekly politics radio show through our Media and Politics module, learning other useful skills such as presenting and audio editing.

For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.

Placement

As part of this degree, we provide you with the opportunity to go on a one year placement in industry between your second and final year of study, which we encourage students to do.

A successful industry placement can also lead to a job offer with your placement company upon graduation. You will also have plenty of opportunity to develop excellent professional contacts that will stand you in good stead for the future.

The skills and knowledge these opportunities provide will prepare you for your future career, whether related to politics or in an entirely different field. We have a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

  • Established for more than 50 years.
  • 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

Overview

Study BA International Relations and Economics with Placement Year and you will develop a deep understanding of the critical political and economic issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live.

Address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore ideas, theories and values that permeate politics and international relations. You will learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations, address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore the ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised.

Your learning is informed by our research and is led by expert staff who have direct experience of the world of politics and international affairs.

Most of your teaching time will be spent in group seminars, allowing you to interact directly with staff and other students, and add your own voice to the discussion. You will learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations, address some of the contemporary world's most pressing problems and explore the ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised.

You will be able to pursue your own interests through a wide range of specialist optional modules, which cover topical issues such as the politics of the welfare state, international terrorism, and politics in the Middle East. You will also have the option to take modules in other subjects, such as economics and history, to broaden your knowledge and learn other skills.

Our Model United Nations and Middle East simulations give you the opportunity to get a direct feel for the political process and apply your knowledge and skills to a scenario that mimics real life. You can also take part in other activities that are related to politics. For example, you can contribute to the Department of Politics and International Relations' weekly politics radio show through our Media and Politics module, learning other useful skills such as presenting and audio editing.

For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.

Placement

As part of this degree, we provide you with the opportunity to go on a one year placement in industry between your second and final year of study, which we encourage students to do.

A successful industry placement can also lead to a job offer with your placement company upon graduation. You will also have plenty of opportunity to develop excellent professional contacts that will stand you in good stead for the future.

The skills and knowledge these opportunities provide will prepare you for your future career, whether related to politics or in an entirely different field. We have a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.

For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.

Choose economics at the University of Reading

  • Established for more than 50 years.
  • 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4* and 3* submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies).
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023).

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.

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

Typical offer:

BBB

International Baccalaureate

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

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.

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.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

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.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Compulsory modules

Politics of Climate Change

International Relations

Investigate the main theories of international relations and discover how to critically examine and evaluate competing theoretical arguments. You’ll master the ability to reach and defend clear conclusions about such arguments and explore the contemporary international order through a  theoretical lens. 

War and Warfare

Principles of Economics

Quantitative Economics

Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis

These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. 

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

 

Compulsory modules

The Study of Politics

Global Order

Intermediate Microeconomics

Intermediate Macroeconomics

Optional modules

The Study of Politics

Global Order

Political Classics

Contemporary Strategy

Global Politics and History

The Media and Politics

American Government and Politics

Business Economics

Games and Economic Behaviour

Economics of Social Policy

Economic History

These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. 

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

 

Compulsory modules

Professional Placement Year

These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. 

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. 

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

 

Compulsory modules

Dissertation

Produce your own piece of work in consultation with an expert supervisor. You’ll plan and execute a project of your own devising, making use of ideas, materials and methods  introduced  in the first half of the year.  

Optional modules

Dynamics of Civil Wars

International Terrorism

British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945

Populism

War, Peace and International Ethics

Introduction to Critical Security Studies

US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950

International Organisations in Global Politics

The Politics of Nuclear Weapons

Politics and International Relations of the Middle East

International Political Economy

Gender and Politics

Public Economics

Environmental Economics

Behavioural Economics

Industrial Organisation

Financial Economics

International Economics

Development Economics

Money and Banking

These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. 

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. 

can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

 

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250

New international students: £22,350

*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

Through this course you will develop strong analytical and research skills, as well as becoming experienced in delivering presentations and working as part of a group. These transferable skills will prove immensely valuable when applying for jobs related to your studies and in different fields altogether.

Overall, 92% of graduates from Economics are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation, and 89% of Politics and International Relations graduates.[1] 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 advertising, PR, media and banking.

[1] Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes first degree Economics responders and all Politics and International Relations responders.

This programme provides you with an incredibly expansive view of real-world situations and will help you in delivering proper solutions. The placement provides you with many more life lessons and business experiences, and these will contribute to your personal development in and outside of the academic world and workplace.

Enrico Scaffidi-Argentina
BA International Relations and Economics with a Placement Year with FORCYD B.V.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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