BA Politics and Economics with a Placement Year
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UCAS code
L2L1 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2022/23 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2023/24 See 2022/23 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
COVID-19 update
Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.
Study Politics and Economics with Placement Year and 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.
Your learning is informed by our world-leading research and is led by expert staff who have direct experience of the world of politics and international affairs. Most of your learning time will be spent in small seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and other students and add your own voice to the discussion.
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. This joint degree also gives you the option to select modules from other subject areas including history and international relations.
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.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
Overview
Study Politics and Economics with Placement Year and 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.
Your learning is informed by our world-leading research and is led by expert staff who have direct experience of the world of politics and international affairs. Most of your learning time will be spent in small seminar groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and other students and add your own voice to the discussion.
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. This joint degree also gives you the option to select modules from other subject areas including history and international relations.
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.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
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 including minimum 4 in Maths at standard level
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.
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 |
---|---|---|
EC113 | Introductory Microeconomics | PROF Marina Della Giusta |
EC114 | Introductory Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
EC115 | Introductory Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business 1 | DR Stefania Lovo |
EC116 | Introductory Mathematics for Economics 1 | DR Andy Chung |
PO1DCC | Degree Core Competencies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Rob Jubb |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1PLA | Placement Support | MRS Purnima Darji |
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 |
---|---|---|
EC201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | DR Minyan Zhu |
EC202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | DR Mark Guzman |
PO2ADC | Advanced Degree Competencies | |
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC207 | Empirical Methods for Economics and Social Sciences | DR Chenyang Wang |
EC208 | Business Economics | DR Nigel Wadeson |
EC238 | Economics of Social Policy | DR Samantha Benvinda Rawlings |
EC243 | Economic History | PROF Peter Scott |
EC2WEP | Work Experience Year | DR Vivien Burrows |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Mark Shanahan |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | PROF Daphne Halikiopoulou |
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 |
PO2PHC | Political Classics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO2PPY | Professional Placement Year | DR David Marshall |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
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 |
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.
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:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
EC311 | International Economics | DR Hussein Hassan |
EC314 | Public Economics | DR Vivien Burrows |
EC320 | Money and Banking | DR Andy Chung |
EC322 | Economics of Labour | DR Sarah Jewell |
EC325 | The Economics of Sports and Games | DR Carl Singleton |
EC334 | Environmental Economics | DR Maria Plotnikova |
EC343 | Behavioural Economics | DR Stephen Kastoryano |
EC347 | Industrial Organisation | DR Joo Young Jeon |
EC349 | Financial Economics | DR Fangya Xu |
EC3DSI | Dissertation (for Joint degrees) | PROF Giovanni Razzu |
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 Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Rose De Geus |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Amanda Hall |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Christina Hellmich |
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 | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
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.
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
Our courses will help you develop strong analytical and research skills and gain experience in delivering presentations and working as part of a group, which makes you suitable for a wide range of careers. Graduates with degrees in social science subjects such as politics and international relations are highly sought after by employers for their wide range of transferable skills.
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 media, retail, management consultancy and banking.