Philosophy and International Relations University of Reading

Overview

This  Philosophy and International Relations BA degree from 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 study non-Western philosophies, especially Indian philosophy.

Your first year will introduce you to the general skills required for all philosophy. In your second and final year you will have the opportunity to explore your chosen topics in more depth, with modules such as "Moral philosophy", "Contemporary political philosophy" and the "Philosophy of law".

Studying international relations will give you a strong grounding in fundamental elements of the subject, such as political ideas and international relations theory. You will have the opportunity to learn about international relations both in breadth and in depth, through a range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as European political integration, international terrorism and the Middle East crisis.

You will be taught in small interactive seminar groups, in which discussion and debate with teaching staff and fellow students is encouraged. You will be encouraged to undertake work placements, and there is also the opportunity to study abroad in your second or final year.

Career opportunities:

• Throughout our degrees, students complete modules with a focus on careers and skills, encouraging them to think about what careers they would like and what skills they will need.
• Philosophy will give you a range of transferable skills in clear thinking, logical analysis and the critical assessment of argument. Such skills are greatly valued in a variety of professional careers such as law, politics, management and marketing.
• Past students have put their political analysis skills to direct use in the home and European civil services, political research units, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and journalism. Other have found employment in the civil service, journalism, consultancy, finance, local and central government, and recent employers have included the Ministry of Defence, Cambridge University Press, local authorities and other universities.
• Around one in four of our students continue their studies, including conversion courses, and teacher training.