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BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year

  • UCAS code
    L259
  • 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

Address some of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, and explore ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised, with our BA Politics and International Relations degree.

Why is the world not solving the climate emergency? Why do politicians seem to be so bad at their jobs? Are our societies descending into authoritarianism? Are we responsible for the safety and welfare of civilians in Afghanistan?

If you care about questions like these – and want to learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations – then our four-year degree can get you started.

As a student in the Department of Politics and International Relations, you will benefit from a learning environment driven by high-quality research. 97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output). Our areas of strength include: 

  • applied political theory
  • comparative politics
  • public policy analysis
  • conflict
  • security
  • strategy
  • international relations.

Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues and engaging in real-world politics. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant. We also offer an exciting range of optional modules across all of our degrees, giving you the flexibility to choose to study the subjects you're most passionate about.

Most of your teaching time will be spent in small group seminars. This allows you to interact directly with both our experts and other students, and add your own voice to discussions. In the National Student Survey 2023, 94% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (93.75% of respondents studying in the Department of Politics and International Relations).

Find out more about how you will learn

Real-world modules

You will bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with optional modules such as:

  • International Terrorism – Examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system.
  • Feminism – Explore theoretical controversies surrounding the definition, subject matter, and aims of feminism.
  • Model United Nations – Visit an overseas conference and take part in a simulation of the United Nations in action, engaging with students and academics from other universities across Europe and the UK.
  • Media and Politics – Introduce yourself to key topics in the study of the media and media power, encompassing both theory and reality in a range of countries around the world.
  • US Foreign Policy – Explore historical and contemporary cases and analyse how foreign policy decisions are made, who influences them, and how this has evolved overtime.

Please note, our modules vary by year and may be subject to change and availability.

Integrated Placement Year

Enhance your employability and build your network with an integrated year-long placement in industry, taken between your second and final year of study.

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

We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.

Past placement destinations have included the Cabinet Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Office for National Statistics, Disney and Microsoft.

  • Read about Peter Stockdale’s placement experience as a Student Economist at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Learn from experts

At Reading, you will learn from researchers with deep expertise in their individual subjects. We have an exceptional faculty who conduct world-leading research across the field of politics and international relations. For example:

  • Professor Daphne Halikiopoulou, who is fascinated by why ordinary people engage in extreme acts. This sparked her research into the rise of populism and the far‑right across Europe. She teaches a class on The Far Right.
  • Dr Alice Baderin, who is facing up to the fact that we live in an uncertain world, a world full of risk – from economic insecurity to threats associated with climate change and the development of new technologies. She teaches a class on Risk.
  • Dr Joseph O’Mahoney, who wants to know why our ideas about nuclear weapons have changed so drastically over time. For example, information about nuclear explosives, once handed out for free, is now regarded a closely guarded secret. He teaches a class on Politics of Nuclear Weapons.

Overview

Address some of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, and explore ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised, with our BA Politics and International Relations degree.

Why is the world not solving the climate emergency? Why do politicians seem to be so bad at their jobs? Are our societies descending into authoritarianism? Are we responsible for the safety and welfare of civilians in Afghanistan?

If you care about questions like these – and want to learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations – then our four-year degree can get you started.

As a student in the Department of Politics and International Relations, you will benefit from a learning environment driven by high-quality research. 97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output). Our areas of strength include: 

  • applied political theory
  • comparative politics
  • public policy analysis
  • conflict
  • security
  • strategy
  • international relations.

Learning

Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues and engaging in real-world politics. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant. We also offer an exciting range of optional modules across all of our degrees, giving you the flexibility to choose to study the subjects you're most passionate about.

Most of your teaching time will be spent in small group seminars. This allows you to interact directly with both our experts and other students, and add your own voice to discussions. In the National Student Survey 2023, 94% of our students said that teaching staff were good or very good at explaining things (93.75% of respondents studying in the Department of Politics and International Relations).

Find out more about how you will learn

Real-world modules

You will bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with optional modules such as:

  • International Terrorism – Examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system.
  • Feminism – Explore theoretical controversies surrounding the definition, subject matter, and aims of feminism.
  • Model United Nations – Visit an overseas conference and take part in a simulation of the United Nations in action, engaging with students and academics from other universities across Europe and the UK.
  • Media and Politics – Introduce yourself to key topics in the study of the media and media power, encompassing both theory and reality in a range of countries around the world.
  • US Foreign Policy – Explore historical and contemporary cases and analyse how foreign policy decisions are made, who influences them, and how this has evolved overtime.

Please note, our modules vary by year and may be subject to change and availability.

Integrated Placement Year

Enhance your employability and build your network with an integrated year-long placement in industry, taken between your second and final year of study.

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

We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.

Past placement destinations have included the Cabinet Office, Department of Health and Social Care, Office for National Statistics, Disney and Microsoft.

  • Read about Peter Stockdale’s placement experience as a Student Economist at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Learn from experts

At Reading, you will learn from researchers with deep expertise in their individual subjects. We have an exceptional faculty who conduct world-leading research across the field of politics and international relations. For example:

  • Professor Daphne Halikiopoulou, who is fascinated by why ordinary people engage in extreme acts. This sparked her research into the rise of populism and the far‑right across Europe. She teaches a class on The Far Right.
  • Dr Alice Baderin, who is facing up to the fact that we live in an uncertain world, a world full of risk – from economic insecurity to threats associated with climate change and the development of new technologies. She teaches a class on Risk.
  • Dr Joseph O’Mahoney, who wants to know why our ideas about nuclear weapons have changed so drastically over time. For example, information about nuclear explosives, once handed out for free, is now regarded a closely guarded secret. He teaches a class on Politics of Nuclear Weapons.

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 

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

Introduction to Contemporary Democracy

International Relations

Introduction to Political Ideas

Degree Core Competencies

Optional modules

British Society

War and Warfare

Inequality

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

Study of Politics

Comparative Government and Politics

Global Order

Political Classics

Advanced Degree Competencies

Optional modules

American Government and Politics

Political Thinking

Model United Nations

War and Peace since 1800

Work Placement and Project

Contemporary Strategy

Global Politics and History

The Media and Politics

British Government and Politics

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

Karl Marx

Risk

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

Feminism and Political Theory

Democracy, Division and Disagreement

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.

 

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

Our combination of skills development, placements and practical modules has meant that 89% of graduates from Politics and International Relations are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation.*

Throughout this course, you will develop strong analytical and research skills, as well as gain experience in delivering presentations and working within groups. These skills are valued by employers in many industries, giving you the option to apply for roles that are both directly related to your degree or in completely different fields, including:

  • British and European civil services
  • political research units
  • think tanks
  • non-governmental organisations
  • advertising
  • management consultancy
  • media
  • banking.

Some of our recent graduates have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the Civil Service and in the media:

  • Find out how Felix Johnston-Brunn is enjoying a rewarding career as Policy and Secretariat Manager in the Civil Service
  • Read about Fiona Paterson’s journey, taking her from her time at Reading to her current role in the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
  • Read about Evan Hall’s career in journalism as a Production Journalist with ITV News

*Based on our analysis of HESA data (c) HESA 2023, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21 includes all Politics and International Relations responders.

I 100% recommend a Placement! A placement is always a competitive advantage and gives you a different perspective of the labour market. The highlight of my placement in the Student Success and Engagement Department at the University of Reading was having the independence to lead my own ideas and projects.

Martina Mabale De Burgos
BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year

Priyanka discusses the placement year

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step



How to apply for 2024 entry

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

The skills I've learned on my degree have proven to be very helpful during internships in finance, as I was required to find information quickly and evaluate the importance of such to the issue at hand, while being prepared for all sorts of questions.

Felix Johnston-Brunn
BA Politics and International Relations

Related Subjects


  • Politics and International Relations
  • International Relations

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