Strategic Studies

Collaborate with academics who have personal experience of public policy, government departments and international organisations (including NATO), or working as advisers to government (including in the UK, the US, France, Italy and Germany).

We are a lively and dynamic research-led department with particular strengths in political theory, strategic/conflict studies, public policy and comparative government. 97% of our research outputs are rated ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, meaning that the University of Reading is 6th highest in the UK for research outputs (Times Higher Education analysis of the latest REF 2021 – Politics and International Studies, when scoring by GPA Output). We are proud to be the academic home of the Leverhulme Trust Climate Justice Programme, the Ways of War Centre, and the British Army Higher Education Pathway.

As a graduate student in the Department of Politics and International Relations, you will be studying with academics who have personal experience of public policy, government departments and international organisations. You will also have access to the staff seminar and to the intellectual expertise of scholars in neighbouring departments such as History, Economics, Philosophy, and Law. We offer small-group teaching and you will have the opportunity to engage with our programme of visiting speakers from across the discipline.

Looking for postgraduate research opportunities?

Come to Reading for your PhD or professional doctorate and join a talented and diverse community of fellow researchers working to improve lives across the globe.