BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year
About this course
BA in Politics and International Relations. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year programme includes a work placement module with an external organisation and modules on British, American, and comparative politics. In the final year, students complete a supervised dissertation, conducting an independent research project.
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
What students say
Based on about 6 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 81%
- Learning opportunities: 77%
- Assessment and feedback: 67%
- Academic support: 92%
- Organisation and management: 75%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 75%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 95%
- Left higher education: 5%
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
- 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: 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
- International Relations
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Contemporary Democracy
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Degree Core Competencies
- British Society
- War and Warfare
- Inequality
- The Study of Politics
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Global Order
- Political Classics
- Advanced Degree Competencies
- 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
- Dissertation
- International Terrorism
- British Foreign and Defence Policy since 1945
- Karl Marx
- Risk
- American Foreign Policy Since the Vietnam War
- The Politics of Nuclear Weapons
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- Global Justice
- International Political Economy
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Politics and Governance in the Global South
- Experiencing War
- Intelligence, War and International Relations
- Gender and Politics
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year 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 £500 more than the UK median for Politics.
What do graduates of BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year 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 International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading?
81% 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 International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading?
The typical offer is BBB at A level, or 30 points in the IB. The average entrant had 130 UCAS points.
Does BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has a compulsory placement year.
How many students continue on BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading?
95% of students continued into their second year, and 5% left higher education.