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  • Accounting
  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Bioveterinary Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management

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  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
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  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
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  • English Literature
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  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
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  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
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  • Physician Associate Studies
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  • Surveying and Construction
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  • Wildlife Conservation
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  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
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  • Classics and Ancient History
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  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise
  • Creative Writing

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  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

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  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
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  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

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

BA War, Peace and International Relations

  • UCAS code
    L252
  • Typical offer
    BBB
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years
  • Year of entry
    2024/25 See 2023/24 entry
  • Course duration
    Full Time:  3 Years

Specialise in warfare and strategy within international politics, drawing on the research strengths of strategic specialists with our BA War, Peace and International Relations.

Learn about the role of military force and defence policy, study war in a historical context and consider challenging questions such as whether the use of military force can ever be justified or whether peace should be maintained at all costs.

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

Our areas of strength include:

  • Strategy and Conflict and Security
  • International Relations
  • Applied Political Theory
  • Comparative Politics
  • Public Policy Analysis.

Real world modules

Bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with compulsory modules such as:

  • Contemporary Strategy – Explore the theoretical foundation of strategy and examine real-world examples of military strategy and its relationship with war and politics.
  • Modern International Relations – Analyse the main theoretical approaches to international politics, and cover a selection of major issues on the international stage, including globalisation, conflict, nuclear weapons and terrorism.
  • Intelligence, War and International Relations – Examine the relevance and diversity of the intelligence function within war, strategy and international politics.

The specialist focus of this programme can be complemented with modules in either political theory or comparative politics, while you also have the opportunity to take modules from other departments, tailoring your study around the subjects you're most passionate about. Optional modules can include:

  • International Terrorism – Examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system before tracing the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history.
  • 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.
  • 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.

How you’ll learn

Most of your teaching time will be spent in small group seminars. This allows you to interact directly with faculty as well as other students and add your own voice to the discussion.

Find out more about how you will learn

Work placements with BA War, Peace and International Relations

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. If you are interested in doing a year-long placement, you can opt for our four-year BA War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and final years of study.

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

Learn from experts

At Reading, you will learn from researchers with deep expertise in their subject. Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues. As such our teaching is research-led and relevant.

We have an exceptional faculty who conduct world-leading research on military strategy and international relations, such as:

  • Dr Geoff Sloan, who researches the development of geopolitical ideas in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and how this affects the use of military force. He teaches a module on War and Peace since 1800.
  • Dr Vladimir Rauta who explores how proxy wars act a vehicle in the delegation of war from states to armed non-state actors in the contemporary security environment. He teaches a module on the Dynamics of Civil Wars.
  • Dr Kenton White, who examines how military strategy moves from theory into practice, and how the use of military force enables political policy goals to be achieved. He teaches a module on Contemporary Strategy.

Overview

Specialise in warfare and strategy within international politics, drawing on the research strengths of strategic specialists with our BA War, Peace and International Relations.

Learn about the role of military force and defence policy, study war in a historical context and consider challenging questions such as whether the use of military force can ever be justified or whether peace should be maintained at all costs.

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

Our areas of strength include:

  • Strategy and Conflict and Security
  • International Relations
  • Applied Political Theory
  • Comparative Politics
  • Public Policy Analysis.

Learning

Real world modules

Bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with compulsory modules such as:

  • Contemporary Strategy – Explore the theoretical foundation of strategy and examine real-world examples of military strategy and its relationship with war and politics.
  • Modern International Relations – Analyse the main theoretical approaches to international politics, and cover a selection of major issues on the international stage, including globalisation, conflict, nuclear weapons and terrorism.
  • Intelligence, War and International Relations – Examine the relevance and diversity of the intelligence function within war, strategy and international politics.

The specialist focus of this programme can be complemented with modules in either political theory or comparative politics, while you also have the opportunity to take modules from other departments, tailoring your study around the subjects you're most passionate about. Optional modules can include:

  • International Terrorism – Examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system before tracing the causes and consequences of terrorism throughout history.
  • 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.
  • 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.

How you’ll learn

Most of your teaching time will be spent in small group seminars. This allows you to interact directly with faculty as well as other students and add your own voice to the discussion.

Find out more about how you will learn

Work placements with BA War, Peace and International Relations

Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. If you are interested in doing a year-long placement, you can opt for our four-year BA War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and final years of study.

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

Learn from experts

At Reading, you will learn from researchers with deep expertise in their subject. Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues. As such our teaching is research-led and relevant.

We have an exceptional faculty who conduct world-leading research on military strategy and international relations, such as:

  • Dr Geoff Sloan, who researches the development of geopolitical ideas in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and how this affects the use of military force. He teaches a module on War and Peace since 1800.
  • Dr Vladimir Rauta who explores how proxy wars act a vehicle in the delegation of war from states to armed non-state actors in the contemporary security environment. He teaches a module on the Dynamics of Civil Wars.
  • Dr Kenton White, who examines how military strategy moves from theory into practice, and how the use of military force enables political policy goals to be achieved. He teaches a module on Contemporary Strategy.

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

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

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Politics of Climate Change
  • Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
  • International Relations
  • Introduction to Political Ideas
  • War and Warfare
  • Degree Core Competencies

Optional modules:

  • British Society
  • Inequality

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

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.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Study of Politics
  • War and Peace since 1800
  • Global Order
  • Contemporary Strategy
  • Advanced Degree Competencies

Optional modules:

  • Comparative Government and Politics
  • Political Classics
  • American Government and Politics
  • Political Thinking
  • Model United Nations
  • Work Placement and Project
  • Global Politics and History
  • The Media and Politics 
  • British Government and Politics

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

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.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2024/25. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change.

Compulsory modules:

  • Dissertation

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

The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available between May and July 2023. We suggest that you regularly revisit this webpage during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme.

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.

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 91% of our graduates from the Department of Politics and International Relations are in work or further study 15 months after graduating.*

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 skills to direct use in:

  • the Armed Forces
  • 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

*Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19; First Degree, Postgraduate (Taught) and Postgraduate (Research) responders from Politics and International Relations.

Politics and International Relations

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply for 2023 entry

Come to an Open Day

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Chat to our students

I have the University of Reading to thank for so much: for giving me the opportunity to study my passion, providing me with endless opportunities to continually develop, and, most importantly, for providing me with a set of incredible and unforgettable friendships.

Adam Neville
BA War, Peace and International Relations

Related Subjects


  • Politics and International Relations
  • International Relations

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