BA War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year
About this course
BA in War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year, a politics degree centred on the study of conflict, global order, and international strategy. Core topics include Research Methods. This four-year course includes a compulsory placement year between the second and final year of study. The first year introduces foundational subjects through compulsory modules such as International Relations, Politics of Climate Change, Introduction to Contemporary Democracy, Introduction to Political Ideas, and War and Warfare, alongside optional choices like British Society and Inequality. The second year builds on these concepts with compulsory study in The Study of Politics, War and Peace since 1800, Global Order, and Contemporary Strategy, while offering optional modules including Comparative Government and Politics, Political Classics, and American Government and Politics. The final year focuses on an independent Dissertation, alongside optional modules covering topics such as 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, Gender and Politics, Intelligence, War, and International Relations, and Experiencing War.
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 60 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 90%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 80%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 88%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 130 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- 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
- 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
- War and Warfare
- Degree Core Competencies
- British Society
- Inequality
- The Study of Politics
- War and Peace since 1800
- Global Order
- Contemporary Strategy
- Advanced Degree Competencies
- Comparative Government and Politics
- Political Classics
- American Government and Politics
- Political Thinking
- Work Placement and Project
- 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
- Gender and Politics
- Intelligence, War, and International Relations
- Experiencing War
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA War, Peace 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 War, Peace 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 War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading?
90% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA War, Peace 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 121 UCAS points.
Does BA War, Peace 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 War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year at University of Reading?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.