BA Politics and International Relations
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UCAS code
L258 -
A level offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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Year of entry
2025/26 -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Address some of the contemporary world’s most pressing problems, and explore ethical and moral issues that arise when political authority is exercised, with our BA Politics and International Relations degree.
Why is the world not solving the climate emergency? Why do politicians seem to be so bad at their jobs? Are our societies descending into authoritarianism? Are we responsible for the safety and welfare of civilians in Afghanistan?
If you care about questions like these – and want to learn about the fundamental elements of politics and international relations – then our three-year degree can get you started.
As a student in the Department of Politics and International Relations, you will benefit from a learning environment driven by high-quality research. 97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output). Our areas of strength include:
- applied political theory
- comparative politics
- public policy analysis
- conflict
- security
- strategy
- international relations.
Study at one of the UK’s top-ranking universities for politics (ranked 5th in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025).
Our academics regularly feature in academic literature and the media, offering their expertise on current issues and engaging in real-world politics. As such, our teaching is research-led and relevant. We also offer an exciting range of optional modules across all of our degrees, giving you the flexibility to choose to study the subjects you're most passionate about.
Most of your teaching time will be spent in small group seminars. This allows you to interact directly with both our experts and other students, and add your own voice to discussions.
Find out more about how you will learn
Real-world modules
You will bring your studies to life and relate to what is happening outside the classroom, with optional modules such as:
- International Terrorism – Examine what terrorism is and what distinguishes it from other forms of conflict and warfare in the international system.
- Feminism – Explore theoretical controversies surrounding the definition, subject matter, and aims of feminism.
- Model United Nations – Visit an overseas conference and take part in a simulation of the United Nations in action, engaging with students and academics from other universities across Europe and the UK.
- Media and Politics – Introduce yourself to key topics in the study of the media and media power, encompassing both theory and reality in a range of countries around the world.
- US Foreign Policy – Explore historical and contemporary cases and analyse how foreign policy decisions are made, who influences them, and how this has evolved overtime.
Please note, our modules vary by year and may be subject to change and availability.
Work placements with BA Politics and International Relations
Enhance your employability and build your network by applying for work placements during your degree. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.
If you are interested in doing a year-long placement, you can also opt for our four-year BA Politics and International Relations with a Placement Year degree, which includes an integrated professional placement between your second and third years.
Learn from experts
At Reading, you will learn from researchers with deep expertise in their individual subjects. We have an exceptional faculty who conduct world-leading research across the field of politics and international relations.
In the National Student Survey 2023, 95% of our students said that teaching staff supported their learning well or very well (95% of respondents studying BA Politics and International Relations).