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Our courses

With our undergraduate degrees you will acquire a deep understanding and knowledge of the ideas and institutions that have shaped our society, and address today's most pressing global issues.

You can opt to undertake a placement year in industry or study abroad.

If you are looking to combine your study of politics and international relations with another discipline, you can choose from our range of joint degree courses. 

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BA Politics and International Relations

Explore the world's most pressing political issues through this engaging, discussion-based degree course. You will have the opportunity to pursue your own interests through optional modules that cover a range of topical issues, from the politics of the welfare state to international terrorism.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BA Politics and International Relations

BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year

BA War, Peace and International Relations

Draw on our Department's research strengths and specialise in war, peace, strategy and the issues that surround conflict. Study war in a historical context and consider challenging questions such as whether war can ever be justified or whether peace should be maintained at all costs.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BA War, Peace and International Relations

BA War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year

BA Politics and Economics

Develop a deep understanding of the critical political and economic issues that dominate the news agenda and shape the world in which we live. You will acquire a strong grounding in the fundamental elements of politics, and study the relationship between economics and society.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BA Politics and Economics

BA Politics and Economics with a Placement Year

BA International Relations and Economics

Explore a wide range of exciting core and optional modules in international relations that cover topical issues such as European political integration and international terrorism. In economics, you'll study the relevance of mathematical and statistical techniques to applied problems and practical issues in society.

You have the opportunity to take a placement year with this course, where you can gain valuable professional experience before your final year.

BA International Relations and Economics

BA International Relations and Economics with a Placement Year

 

BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year

If you want to study politics at a British university but don’t have the correct qualifications, our four-year BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year programme enables you to do so.

The foundation year is designed to equip you with the subject-specific and general study skills needed to cope with the demands of undergraduate study. 

You can start this course either in September or January.

BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year – September entry

BA Politics and International Relations with International Foundation Year – January entry


Joint degree courses

BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Our BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a joint degree with a rich history – this combination of subjects has been a well-known favourite choice for politicians and future prime ministers.

This course offers you the opportunity to study philosophy, politics and economics in the first year, and allows you to focus on two or continue with all three subjects in your second and final years. 

Learn more about BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics

BA English Literature and International Relations

Whether you study postcolonial literature or discuss the "Arab Spring", our BA English Literature and International Relations degree lets you explore the world from different perspectives.

You will learn about a range of global issues as they're represented in literary works and analysed through the study of international relations.

Learn more about BA English Literature and International Relations

BA English Literature and Politics

Study the art of the possible and the art of persuasion with our BA English Literature and Politics degree.

You will gain a thorough understanding of the foundations of modern politics and the methods for studying political assent and conflict, while also having the chance to study literature from a broad range of perspectives.

Learn more about BA English Literature and Politics

 

BA History and International Relations

This joint degree enables you to address today's key issues and investigate their roots in the past.

Explore both history and international relations and gain an understanding of how they influence one another.

Learn more about BA History and International Relations

BA History and Politics

Explore the roots of today's political issues with our BA History and Politics degree course. 

You will benefit from the Department of History's expertise in a diverse range of regions and historical periods, while acquiring a strong grounding in the fundamental elements of political ideas and democratic processes.

Learn more about BA History and Politics

BA Philosophy and International Relations

This course will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people.

You will learn about international relations both in breadth and in depth, through a range of specialist core and optional modules.

Learn more about BA Philosophy and International Relations

BA Philosophy and Politics

Examine some of our most fundamental ideas about truth, reality, right and wrong.

You will develop an understanding of philosophical arguments and political theory through our joint BA Philosophy and Politics degree.

Learn more about BA Philosophy and Politics

BA Modern Languages and International Relations

Study a modern language, and gain a broader view of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, with our BA Modern Languages and International Relations degree.

This highly flexible degree enables you to study a modern language – choosing from our core languages of French, German, Italian and Spanish – alongside your studies in international relations.

Learn more about BA Modern Languages and International Relations


Modules

We offer an exciting range of modules that enable you to pursue your own interests and gain direct insight into real-world political processes. 

In particular we have innovative modules that enable you to build practical skills and first-hand experience that will serve you in your future career. For example:

  • Model United Nations – test your academic skills in the political arena through a simulation of the UN in action.
  • The Middle East – participate in a crisis simulation, involving negotiation and conflict resolution.
  • Media and Politics – prepare, host and run a weekly politics radio show, which has previously featured special guests including Eddie Izzard and Alastair Campbell.

Every year we review our range of modules on offer to ensure what you are studying is up to date with the latest developments in the discipline. 

Fees and funding

There is a variety of funding support available to our undergraduate students. You may be eligible for government loans, grants or bursaries.

Students from the UK can receive government loans to help towards tuition fees and living costs. UK students may also be eligible for other grants and bursaries depending on their circumstances.

Fees and funding at the University of Reading

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Why study with us?

At Reading, your studies will draw on world-leading research. You'll learn from academics who are active in international politics and experts in their fields.
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How you'll study

Small-group seminars allow you to deepen your knowledge and develop your ideas through rigorous discussion. Gain transferable skills on placements and in innovative modules, and hear talks by inspiring guest speakers.

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Life in the Department

Learn in an exciting environment where you'll be challenged and supported to thrive and grow as an individual. You'll join a passionate community of students and academics from around the world.