BA English Literature and Politics
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations and English Language and Literature. Core topics include research methods and critical and analytical thinking. The programme includes a dedicated work placement and project module, and students can take part in United Nations and Middle East simulations.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: BBB including grade B in English Literature or a related subject. Related subjects are English Language, English Language & Literature, Drama & Theatre Studies and Creative Writing. IB: 30 points overall including 5 in higher level English or a related subject listed above
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What students say
Based on about 49 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 92%
- Learning opportunities: 88%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 86%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 90 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 9%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 36 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 56%
- Working and studying: 22%
- Further study: 14%
- Unemployed: 2%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 30%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Finance Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 50%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 205 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 1%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 5%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 11%
- London: 23%
- South East: 38%
- South West: 12%
- Wales: 4%
Who gets in
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 98%
- Foundation course: 1%
- Other HE qualification: 1%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Theory and Practice of Writing
- Poetry in English
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Introduction to Drama
- Shelf Life
- Modern American Culture and Counterculture
- Thinking Translation: History and Theory
- What is Comparative Literature?
- The Study of Politics
- Shakespeare
- Victorian Literature
- Contemporary Fiction
- Modernism in Poetry and Fiction
- Writing in the Public Sphere
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Global Order
- British Government and Politics
- Political Thinking
- Work Placement and Project
- War, Peace and International Ethics
- Early Modern Texts and Cultures
- Politics Classics
- Contemporary Strategy
- The Media and Politics
- Writing America: Perspectives on the Nation
- Critical Thinking
- American Government and Politics
- The Business of Books
- Enlightenment Revolution and Romanticism
- Dissertation in English Literature
- Dissertation in Politics
- British Black and Asian Voices: 1948 to the Present
- Literature and Mental Health
- Placing Jane Austen
- Decadence and Degeneration: Literature of the 1890s
- International Terrorism
- British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
- Global Justice
- Politics and Governance in the Global South
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- Karl Marx
- American Foreign Policy since The Vietnam War
- The Politics of Nuclear Weapons
- International Political Economy
- Gender and Politics
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Risk
- Shakespeare on Film
- From Romance to Fantasy
- Children's Literature
- Utopia and Dystopia in English and American Literature
- Writing Women: Nineteenth-Century Poetry
- The Bloody Stage: Revenge and Death in Renaissance Drama
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £23,000 after 3 years, £29,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £35,500. The £29,000 median after five years is £5,000 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading do next?
92% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading?
92% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 113 UCAS points.
Does BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA English Literature and Politics at University of Reading?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 9% left higher education.