the ba english literature and politics joint degree programme allows study of the art of the possible and persuasion to provide a thorough understanding of the ways in which our society works.

in this programme students will gain a thorough understanding of the theoretical foundations of modern politics and the methods for studying political assent and conflict, at home and abroad. students will have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of specialist core and optional modules, which cover topical issues such as the politics of the welfare state, european political integration, and political thinking. in certain modules, students will have the opportunity to take part in united nations and middle east simulations and gain an insight into the political process. 

the study of english literature will give students the chance to study many similar issues from a different perspective. they will also have the chance to study more of the authors and genres that they may already know (from tragedy to gothic, from shakespeare and dickens to plath and beckett). but it will also introduce them to aspects of literary studies that may be less familiar to them, from children’s literature to publishing studies and the history of the book. 

in english literature, reading's innovative placement scheme gives students the chance to undertake an academic placement in commerce, industry or the arts. students can also take a placement module on languages and literature in heritage, in education, and in the media. in politics, students can undertake a two-week placement as part of their module on british government and politics.