BA War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year

One of the best things about studying War, Peace and International Relations with a Placement Year at Reading is that you won’t just sit in lecture halls — you’ll constantly be applying ideas to the real world. From day one, the course is designed to get you debating, researching, presenting, and experiencing international politics in action. Then, in your third year, you step outside the classroom for a full placement, putting everything you’ve learned into practice in a professional setting.

Here’s how you’ll gain those hands-on skills and experiences:

• Placement Year – spend a whole year working in a relevant organisation such as government departments, NGOs, media, or think tanks. You’ll get real workplace experience, build contacts, and only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee during this year.

• Specialist modules linked to real issues – classes like Contemporary Strategy, Intelligence, War and International Relations, and Modern International Relations are tied directly to current global debates, so you’ll study theory alongside real-world case studies.

• Model United Nations – take part in international simulations where you role-play as diplomats, draft resolutions, and debate global crises. You may even get the chance to travel abroad for conferences.

• Interactive teaching style – instead of endless lectures, you’ll join small seminars, group discussions, and workshops where you present ideas, challenge others, and sharpen your communication skills.

• Placement support – a dedicated placement coordinator will guide you through finding and securing your year-long placement, helping with applications, CVs, and interview preparation.

A degree like this can open doors to exciting and meaningful careers where global politics, security, and diplomacy matter most. Many of our graduates go into roles such as Policy Analyst, Diplomatic or Foreign Affairs Officer, or Security and Intelligence Analyst, while others build careers in NGOs and international organisations. With the added advantage of a placement year, you’ll graduate not only with strong academic skills but also with professional experience that employers really value.

Here’s what boosts your future prospects at Reading:

• Personalised career support – you’ll be guided by a dedicated placement coordinator who helps you prepare CVs, practise interviews, and connect with employers for your year-long placement.

• Strong graduate outcomes – about 93% of Politics and International Relations graduates from Reading are working or in further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.

• Competitive salaries – typical graduate salaries in this field are around £29,000 within a year of finishing, with room to grow depending on the role and sector.

• Sector-relevant experience – graduates often step into roles in government departments, the armed forces, NGOs, media, think tanks, or research units. Some even receive job offers directly from their placement employers.

• Respected reputation – Reading’s Department of Politics and International Relations is ranked 6th in the UK for research outputs, giving your degree real weight when applying for jobs or postgraduate study.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to keep studying after your BA, you’ll find plenty of options. Many students go on to master’s courses in International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Security Studies, War Studies, Global Governance, or Public Policy. At Reading and beyond, these advanced degrees let you specialise further and prepare for senior policy, advisory, or diplomatic roles.