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BA INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND ECONOMICS WITH PLACEMENT YEAR

  • UCAS code
    LL22
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
    See 2021/22 entry
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

COVID-19 update


Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

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.

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.

Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall

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 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

Core modules include:

  • Introduction to contemporary democracy
  • Introduction to political ideas
  • Introductory macroeconomics
  • Introductory mathematics for economics 1
  • Introductory microeconomics
  • Introductory quantitative methods in economics and business 1
  • Politics: international relations and strategic studies
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Intermediate macroeconomics
  • Intermediate microeconomics
  • Modern international relations
  • The study of politics

Optional modules include:

  • American government and politics
  • British government and politics
  • Business economics
  • Economic history
  • Economics of social policy
  • Economics of the environment and energy
  • European political integration
  • Model United Nations
  • Political thinking
  • Study Abroad
  • The media and politics
  • Work placement project
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

During your third year, you may have the opportunity to do a paid placement at a company or organisation (please note that a placement cannot be guaranteed). In your first and second year, you will receive plenty of support with applying for internships and placements. The Department of Economics also has a specialist placement officer who can provide you with one-to-one support in securing and preparing for a placement.

 

Optional modules include:

  • Intelligence, war and international relations
  • War, peace and international ethics
  • Banking in emerging economies
  • British foreign and defence policy since 1945
  • Business economics
  • Business and management in emerging markets
  • Contemporary power politics
  • Crime and punishment: theoretical approaches
  • Democracy and democracy promotion
  • Dissertation
  • Dissertation (for joint degrees)
  • European economic integration
  • European urban and regional economics
  • Feminism and political theory
  • Grand strategy from classical Rome to modern China
  • History of economic thought
  • International economics
  • International terrorism
  • Introduction to critical security studies
  • Macroeconomics for developing countries
  • Microeconomics for developing countries
  • Money and banking
  • Nationalism
  • Politics and international relations of the Middle East
  • Politics of the international economy
  • Processes of long-term political and economic change
  • Public economics
  • Strategic theory
  • Strategy in the two World Wars
  • The UN and international order
  • Toleration: theory and practice
  • US Foreign and defence policy since 1950
  • United Kingdom politics since 1960
Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

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

New international students: £19,500 per year

*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 – including professional and research placements and industrial experience – you’ll pay a discounted tuition fee for that year.

For UK/Republic of Ireland students, the discounted fee is subject to parliamentary approval and is currently capped at £1,385.

For International students, the discount is 15% of your normal tuition fee.

For more information, please 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 become experienced in delivering presentations and working in a group. These skills are valued by employers in many industries, giving you the option of roles that are directly related to your degree or in completely different fields.

Past students have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the British and European civil services, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and journalism. Others have gone into advertising, PR, media and banking.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

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  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

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  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
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  • Biomedical Sciences
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  • Data Science
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  • Film, Theatre and Television
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Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
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  • Information Technology
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  • Languages and Cultures
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  • Real Estate and Planning
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Subjects A-B

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

Subjects C-E

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

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

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

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • 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
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • 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 Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

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

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