BA POLITICS AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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UCAS code
L258 -
Typical offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2021 -
Course duration
3 years
-
Year of entry
2021 -
Course duration
3 years
COVID-19 update
Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.
Study BA Politics and International Relations and ask why do countries go to war? How much tax should we pay? And can foreign policy ever be wholly ethical?
If these are the kind of questions that interest you then you'll love exploring them through this stimulating, discussion-based degree course.
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.
Most of your teaching time will be spent in small 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.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year in industry.
For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.
Overview
If these are the kind of questions that interest you then you'll love exploring them through this stimulating, discussion-based degree course.
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.
Most of your teaching time will be spent in small 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.
You have the option of studying this degree over four years with a placement year in industry.
For more information, please visit the Department of Politics and International Relations website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
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.
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 |
PO1DCC | Degree Core Competencies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PO1IPI | Introduction to Political Ideas | DR Rob Jubb |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1FRE | Freedom | DR Rob Jubb |
PP1RP | Radical Philosophy | PROF Maximilian De Gaynesford |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PP1GJ | Global Justice | DR Shalini Sinha |
AP1SB1 | Introduction to Management | DR Yiorgos Gadanakis |
AP1EM1 | Introduction to Marketing | MS Sandra Preciado |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | PROF Eleanor Dickey |
CL1SO | Ancient Song | PROF Ian Rutherford |
CL1RH | Roman History: the rise and fall of the Republic | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
EC118 | Economy, Politics and Culture in the Roman World | PROF Ken Dark |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FA1MM | Modernisms & Mythologies | DR James Hellings |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | DR Federico Faloppa |
ML1GEC | Greats of European Cinema | PROF Julia Waters |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2SOP | The Study of Politics | DR Christoph Arndt |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Mark Shanahan |
PO2BGP | British Government and Politics | DR Matthew Whiting |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2COS | Contemporary Strategy | DR Kenton White |
PO2CGP | Comparative Government and Politics | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Brandon Beomseob Park |
PO2PHC | Political Classics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO2WAP | War and Peace Since 1800 | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PO2TMP | The Media and Politics | DR Dawn Clarke |
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO3DIS | Dissertation | DR Adam Humphreys |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3ITE | International Terrorism | DR Christina Hellmich |
PO3INT | Intelligence, War and International Relations | DR Geoff Sloan |
PO3IOG | International Organizations in Global Politics | DR Martin Binder |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PO3WIR | Worlding International Relations | DR Andreas Behnke |
PO3WPE | War, Peace and International Ethics | PROF Alan Cromartie |
PO3RIS | Risk | DR Alice Baderin |
PO3MEA | Politics & International Relations of the Middle East | DR Younis Lahwej |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | PROF David Marshall |
PO3BFD | British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945 | DR Kenton White |
PO3FAR | The Far Right | DR Daphne Halikiopoulou |
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £17,320 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.
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. Our combination of skills development, placements and practical modules has meant that 94% of graduates from the Department of Politics and International Relations are in work or further study six months after graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DHLE) survey, 2016/17).
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, retail, management consultancy, media and banking.