BA Politics and Economics with Placement Year
Program Overview
This four-year program at the University of Reading combines studies in politics and economics. The curriculum offers a solid foundation in political and economic theory, contemporary issues, international relations, microeconomics, and data analysis. Through an integrated placement year, students gain practical experience in the field, enhancing their employability upon graduation.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Develop a deep understanding of the political and economic issues that shape our world, and gain professional experience, with our BA Politics and Economics with Placement Year degree. At the University of Reading, our four-year joint course is offered by the School of Politics and International Relations and the Department of Economics. In politics, our wide range of core and optional modules will give you a strong foundation in topics such as: comparative government and politics political theory international relations contemporary democracy. In economics, you will examine practical economic issues and, more widely, the relationship between economics and society, focusing on topics such as: macroeconomics microeconomics economic institutions economics of social policy. You will focus on how economic tools can be applied to different markets and situations, acquiring the skills, knowledge and understanding that will enable you to solve the problems that are challenging policy makers and businesses all over the world. You will also analyse economic issues using a range of economic theories and methods, including the theory of games and strategic interactions, and natural and behavioural experiments. Choose economics at the University of Reading Established for more than 50 years. 100% of our research impact has been classed ‘outstanding’ or ‘very considerable’ (REF 2021, combining 4 and 3 submissions – Business and Management Studies, and Anthropology and Development Studies). Ranked among the top 200 universities in the world for Economics (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023) and ranked 10th in the UK in Business and Economics subjects (Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2024, United Kingdom providers only). Placement year This course features an integrated professional placement between your second and last year of study, an opportunity to enhance your employability and build your network. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who can provide advice and support in your search for a placement.
Outline:
Year 1
Compulsory modules Politics of Climate Change Explore the political challenges and debates on climate change, analysing how and why decisions are made, their consequences, and underlying ethical issues. Through analysing climate change across various interconnected settings, you’ll reflect on the relevance of climate change across the wider discipline of political science. Introduction to Contemporary Democracy Delve deeper into how democracy works, or does not work, around the world today, and explore different types of democracies. You’ll examine topics such as the Arab Spring, varieties of executive and electoral systems, political parties, voting behaviour, and the welfare state. Introduction to Political Ideas Explore some of the major debates in political theory through the study of four themes: authority, freedom, democracy, and social justice. You’ll focus on conceptual and normative debates about politics and critically analyse, deconstruct, and develop arguments. Principles of Economics 1 Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics. You'll learn how the real world works by developing your understanding of key economics concepts, mathematical tools and, microeconomics. Principles of Economics 2 Gain an analytical introduction to the modern concepts of economics and develop your understanding of key economics concepts and mathematical tools. You’ll learn concepts of macroeconomics and how they overlap with microeconomics. You’ll also consider key topics such as what can markets do and cannot do, and when can government improve economic performance. Quantitative Methods and Data Analysis These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 2
Compulsory modules The Study of Politics Learn how to identify different methods and approaches to the study of politics and international relations. You’ll study qualitative and quantitative methods of research, as well as methods of political theory, to prepare you for more advanced study in the subject. Intermediate Microeconomics Develop an in-depth and rigorous understanding of the core concepts and methods of microeconomics. You’ll learn more about consumer and producer theory, and discover new topics including game theory, bargaining, market competition, general equilibrium and welfare. Intermediate Macroeconomics Develop in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles and analytic concepts related to economic growth, inflation, unemployment and interest rates. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the interrelationship between macroeconomic variables and government policy, and be able to analyse relevant issues discussed by news and politicians. Optional modules Comparative Government and Politics Examine and compare the origins of political systems, political institutions, regime formation, and democratisation from all regions of the world. You’ll learn how to nuance, unpack, and conceptualise some of the contemporary challenges that democratic nation-states face. Global Order Discover what international order is, how orders function, and the variety of different ways that relations among political communities can be, and have been, organised. American Government and Politics Discover how ideas and values, such as liberty and individualism, influence the American system of government and politics, both at national and local level. You’ll learn about all the institutional actors in the US political landscape, and explore central policy issues such as gun control, immigration, and environmental policy. Political Thinking Deepen your understanding of the ethical dimensions of contested political issues, from how societies should deal with statues of historical wrongdoers, to whether inheritances should be taxed. You’ll explore how political decisions are made and the substance of such decisions, with weekly focus on a concrete policy question. Model United Nations Explore the structure and function of the United Nations in a changing global context. You’ll put your knowledge, understanding, and diplomatic skills to the test as you analyse, debate, and strive to reach collective agreement on key global issues, via in-class simulation and representation of the University at a Model UN conference in the UK. War and Peace since 1800 Examine the high and low points of human conflict over a 200-year period, using historical evidence to analyse strategic ideas. You’ll explore the theory and practice of war and peace, with a focus on both force and its social and political context. Work Placement and Project Undertake a work placement or an internship with an external organisation broadly related to the general sphere of your degree studies. You’ll deliver an oral presentation directly based on your experience, including findings from a project undertaken within the placement. Political Classics Discover thinkers, ideas and traditions that have always played a central role in the study of politics. Through the writings of a selection of classic thinkers, you’ll explore difficult debates around private property, democracy, individual autonomy, and other topics that have never been resolved. Contemporary Strategy Explore a series of contemporary problems and how they stand in the field of modern strategy. Through examples and practical simulations, you’ll gain an understanding of strategic problems and their relevance in the contemporary world. Global Politics and History Learn how the study of history and the analysis of past events influence the study, contemporary debates, and practice of world politics. The Media and Politics Develop your understanding of the role and influence of media in contemporary politics and society through a combination of lectures and media. You’ll refine your ability to engage broad audiences in political debate by producing a pre-recorded documentary that you’ll present as part of a radio broadcast. British Government and Politics Discover the workings of British government and parliament and explore a range of related topics, such as elections, political parties, and the relationship between government and the judiciary. You’ll discuss current events and put your knowledge into practice through a micro-placement. Business Economics Develop your understanding of a number of areas of business economics, with a focus on theory. Games and Economic Behaviour In this module, you’ll actively participate in one or more models of economic phenomena through an online gaming platform. You’ll gain greater insight into the assumptions and mechanisms underlying models of economic behaviour with the game-based versions of each model. Economics of Social Policy Develop your understanding of how economic analysis can be applied to the real-world problems faced by policy makers. You’ll study socioeconomic problems and the role of Government policy. You’ll learn techniques from both microeconomics and macroeconomics to analyse topics such as poverty and inequality, housing, crime, health and education. economics. Economic History Understand how the world economy got to be where it is today, focusing on significant periods of economic change from the commercial revolution of the medieval period through to the modern digital revolution. These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.
Year 3
Compulsory modules Professional Placement Year These are the modules that we current offer for 2024/2025 entry. They may
UK/Republic of Ireland students:
£9,250
New international students:
£22,350
