Philosophy, Politics and Economics with Placement Experience BA (Hons)

**Our BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a joint degree with a rich history — this combination of subjects has been a well-known favourite choice for politicians and future prime ministers.**<br/><br/>Studying philosophy at the University of Reading will equip you with the ability to think logically, to evaluate arguments critically, and to challenge your own ideas and those of other people. We will give you an understanding of the central principles, concepts, problems, texts and figures of philosophy. You will be taught by leading experts whose research strengths lie especially in moral philosophy and the philosophy of the mind and language. You will also have the chance to examine non-Western philosophies such as Indian philosophy.<br/><br/>In politics, you will acquire a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject such as political ideas and democratic processes. You can study a wide range of specialist core modules, which cover topics such as British government and politics, European political integration, and political thinking.<br/><br/>In economics, you will study both applied and practical issues and focus on the relationship between economics and society. This course places less emphasis on mathematical and statistical content than some Economics courses do; instead you will focus on the relevance of these techniques to applied problems. You will still learn necessary maths skills in your core modules, but extensive support is available should you need it.<br/><br/>This course offers you the opportunity to study philosophy, politics and economics in the first year, and allows you to focus on two or continue with all three subjects in your second and final years. Most of your contact time will be spent in small seminar-style groups, allowing you to interact directly with staff and add your own voice to the discussion.

There are so many reasons to choose the University of Reading in Clearing this year. Join a diverse and supportive community where lecturers will inspire you with their discoveries and guide you in making your own. Reading’s award-winning parkland campus offers the spaces and places you need to make the most of your studies and student life.<br/><br/>The University of Reading is a research-intensive university. It works with governments, international agencies, businesses, and charities to tackle some of the biggest problems facing the world today, such as climate change, heart disease, and international conflict.<br/><br/>Named The Sustainable University of The Year, 2025, this year Reading launched one of the UK's largest ever undergraduate scholarship schemes, designed to develop future Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarships. The scholarship offers £6000 per year (for up to 4 years of study) towards living expenses and will be available to apply to, for those entering Clearing and who meet the scheme's criteria. With over 150 clubs and societies, Reading knows how important life is beyond your studies too and with the student union in the heart of the campus, there's little doubt making the University of Reading your first call in Clearing will be one of the best decisions you ever made.