BA Politics and Economics
About this course
BA in Economics, Politics and International Relations. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, Financial Analysis, and Entrepreneurship. This three-year course is jointly offered by the School of Politics and International Relations and the Department of Economics. Students can undertake a work placement and choose between optional modules including Comparative Government and Politics and Political Classics.
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 including minimum 4 in Maths at standard level
What students say
Based on about 12 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 85%
- Learning opportunities: 71%
- Assessment and feedback: 79%
- Academic support: 73%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 93%
- Student voice: 60%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 21 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 75%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 5%
Most common jobs
- Finance Professionals: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 15%
- London: 28%
- South East: 32%
- South West: 9%
- Wales: 5%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 100%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Principles of Economics 1
- Principles of Economics 2
- Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis
- Degree Core Competencies
- The Study of Politics
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Advanced Degree Competencies
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Political Classics
- Global Order
- American Government and Politics
- Political Thinking
- War and Peace since 1800
- Work Placement and Project
- Contemporary Strategy
- The Media and Politics
- British Government and Politics
- War, Peace and International Ethics
- Business Economics
- Games and Economic Behaviour
- Economics of Social Policy
- Economic History
- Dissertation
- Karl Marx
- Risk
- International Terrorism
- American Foreign Policy Since the Vietnam War
- Feminism and Political Theory
- The Politics of Nuclear Weapons
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- Gender and Politics
- Global Justice
- International Political Economy
- Public Economics
- Environmental Economics
- Behavioural Economics
- Industrial Organisation
- Financial Economics
- International Economics
- Development Economics
- Money and Banking
- Reasoning and Choice: Game Theory for Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and Economics at University of Reading earn?
The median salary is £32,000 after 15 months, £27,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £27,500 and £47,500. The £34,500 median after five years is £14,000 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BA Politics and Economics at University of Reading do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
85% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 116 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics and Economics 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 Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.