BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics
About this course
BA in Economics and Politics and International Relations and Philosophy, examining how these disciplines intersect. Core topics include Research Methods, Financial Analysis, Social & Cultural Analysis, and Global & Comparative Perspective. Students can focus on two or three subjects after the first year, with an optional integrated placement year available between the second and third years. The British Government and Politics module includes a two-week placement working with an MP, charity, or local councillor.
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: ABB IB: 32 points overall, including 4 in Maths at standard level
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 82%
- Learning opportunities: 75%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 86%
- Learning resources: 73%
- Student voice: 82%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
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
- 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: 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: 70%
- Access course: 5%
- Foundation course: 20%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Reason and Argument
- Principles of Economics 1
- Principles of Economics 2
- Politics of Climate Change
- Introduction to Political Ideas
- Radical Philosophy
- Global Justice
- Philosophical Skills for Life
- Intermediate Microeconomics
- Intermediate Macroeconomics
- The Study of Politics
- 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
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Global Order
- Political Thinking
- American Government and Politics
- Politics Classics
- The Media and Politics
- British Government and Politics
- War, Peace and International Ethics
- Dissertation in Philosophy
- Independent Learning Module
- Dissertation in Politics
- Dissertation in Economics
- Free Will and Responsibility
- Philosophy of Language: Animals, Babies, Colours, and Language Death
- 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
- Karl Marx
- Gender and Politics
- Risk
- Politics and International Relations of the Middle East
- International Political Economy
- Feminism and Political Theory
- Politics and Governance in the Global South
- Philosophy of Religion
- Current Moral Philosophy
- Fairness
- Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
- The Scandal of Film
- Hume and Wittgenstein
- Speech Attacks: Bullshit, Lies, Propaganda
- Global Justice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics 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 £20,000 less than the UK median for Economics.
What do graduates of BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics 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, Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
82% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 109 UCAS points.
Does BA Philosophy, 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 Philosophy, Politics and Economics at University of Reading?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.