Politics and International Relations, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Our BA in Politics and International Relations addresses pressing global issues and explores ethical dilemmas in political authority. Why has the climate emergency persisted? Why do politicians often falter? Are societies drifting toward authoritarianism, and what is our role in safeguarding civilians in places like Afghanistan? If these questions intrigue you, this four-year programme provides a foundation in politics and international relations fundamentals.As a student at the University of Reading, you'll engage in a research-rich environment, with 97% of our outputs rated world-leading or internationally excellent, placing us 6th in the UK for research (Times Higher Education analysis of REF 2021). Key strengths include applied political theory, comparative politics, public policy analysis, conflict, security, strategy, and international relations. Core modules encompass International Relations, Politics of Climate Change, Introduction to Contemporary Democracy, Comparative Government and Politics, and Global Order. For further details, visit the programme page.

The following modules have been approved in principle for delivery in 2025/26. Please note that as part of our current curriculum improvement process, all modules require final University approval and may be subject to change. Core modules for this course: International Relations; Politics of Climate Change; Introduction to Contemporary Democracy; Comparative Government and Politics; Global Order. The University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them. Further information about the content of final approved modules will be available in the summer of 2024. We suggest that you regularly revisit our course page during this time to ensure you have the most up-to-date information regarding the modules offered on this programme. Check our website for more details about the course structure.