BA Philosophy and Politics
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations and Philosophy. Core topics include research methods, critical and analytical thinking, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and global and comparative perspectives. The first year covers foundational philosophical skills, with specialist modules available from the second year. A four-year placement variant is offered, and study abroad is available through partner institutions in Europe, the USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia.
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 IB: 30 points overall
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What students say
Based on about 29 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 85%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 76%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 75%
- Left higher education: 20%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 94 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 62%
- Working and studying: 12%
- Further study: 12%
- Unemployed: 8%
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: 74%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 47%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 325 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 2%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 4%
- East of England: 14%
- London: 22%
- South East: 33%
- South West: 13%
- Wales: 3%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 95%
- Foundation course: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Reason and Argument
- Great Works in Philosophy
- Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Radical Philosophy
- Global Justice
- Philosophical Skills for Life
- Mind and World
- The Study of Politics
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Political Classics
- Ethical Argument
- Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy
- Meaning and the Mind
- Global Philosophies
- Aesthetics
- Philosophy through the Ages: The Minds that Shaped our World
- Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism
- Global Order
- Political Thinking
- American Government and Politics
- The Media and Politics
- British Government and Politics
- War, Peace and International Ethics
- Contemporary Strategy
- Dissertation in Philosophy
- Dissertation in Politics
- Independent Learning Module
- Free Will and Responsibility
- Happy and Meaningful Lives
- Fairness
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- The Scandal of Film
- Hume and Wittgenstein
- Philosophy of Psychology
- Karl Marx
- Politics and Governance in the Global South
- Risk
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- International Political Economy
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Gender and Politics
- Global Justice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £27,000 after 15 months, £23,500 after 3 years, £28,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £35,000. The £28,500 median after five years is £5,500 less than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Reading do next?
86% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Reading?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy and Politics at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 114 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy 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 Philosophy and Politics at University of Reading?
75% of students continued into their second year, and 20% left higher education.