Direct answer
The University of Reading’s MA International Relations and Diplomacy for 2026/27 entry is a postgraduate taught course within the Department of Politics and International Relations. The official programme page confirms the course exists for 2026/27 but does not publish the specific academic entry requirements, English language requirements, or application deadlines on that page. This article explains what the official pages establish and what still requires live rechecking.
What the official programme page confirms
The University of Reading’s subject-area page for Politics and International Relations postgraduate study lists the MA International Relations and Diplomacy as a 2026/27 course. The page is structured as a subject landing area rather than a detailed course specification. It does not display the following details for this programme:
- Degree classification requirement (e.g., 2:1 or 2:2)
- Accepted Chinese qualifications or grade equivalences
- English language test scores
- Personal statement or reference requirements
- Application deadlines or intake months
Because the programme page does not publish these specifics, no entry requirement can be attributed directly to the MA International Relations and Diplomacy from that source.
General postgraduate framework for Chinese applicants
It states that Reading is a research-intensive campus university with more than 150 years of history and an international community of over 4,500 students from more than 160 countries. The page references the university’s ranking position: among the world’s top 200 in the QS World University Rankings 2027, joint 27th out of 109 UK universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and 43rd out of 130 in the Complete University Guide 2027.
This general framework applies across postgraduate programmes but does not confirm the specific entry standard for the MA International Relations and Diplomacy. The China page does not list a grade equivalency table for Chinese qualifications such as the Gaokao, a four-year bachelor’s degree, or a three-year diploma. It also does not state a minimum English language score.
What requires live rechecking
Because the official programme page omits entry criteria and the China country page provides only a general institutional profile, the following items must be rechecked on the live University of Reading website at the time of application:
- The specific academic entry requirement for the MA International Relations and Diplomacy, including the UK degree classification and any Chinese qualification equivalences
- The English language requirement for this programme, including accepted tests and minimum component scores
- Whether the programme operates a staged admissions process or a single deadline
- The application method and any supporting documents required
No offer, scholarship, or admission outcome can be assumed from the available evidence.
How to locate the live course page
The University of Reading organises its postgraduate courses through the subject-area pathway. From the Politics and International Relations postgraduate section, selecting the 2026/27 entry year and navigating to the MA International Relations and Diplomacy will lead to the detailed course page when it is published or updated. The URL shown in the official evidence is the subject landing page, not the final course specification.
Ranking and institutional context
The official China page states that Reading is ranked among the world’s top 200 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It also provides two domestic UK rankings: joint 27th out of 109 UK universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, and 43rd out of 130 in the Complete University Guide 2027. These rankings describe the university as a whole and do not represent the specific entry standard or selectivity of the MA International Relations and Diplomacy.
What the evidence does not cover
The supplied official pages do not contain:
- A China-specific percentage or grade conversion for postgraduate entry
- Any statement about a guaranteed offer or conditional offer policy
- Tuition fee figures for this programme
- Scholarship or funding information
- Visa or post-study work outcomes
No inference about these topics can be drawn from the current evidence.
FAQ
Does the University of Reading publish the entry requirements for the MA International Relations and Diplomacy on the 2026/27 subject page?
No. The official subject-area page confirms the course exists but does not list the academic or English language entry requirements.
What general information does the University of Reading provide for Chinese applicants?
The China country page describes Reading’s international community, its ranking positions, and its location in Southeast England. It does not provide a qualification equivalency table or programme-specific entry criteria.
Can I find the English language requirement for this programme on the current official pages?
Not from the supplied evidence. The programme page and the China country page do not state an IELTS, TOEFL, or other English test score requirement for the MA International Relations and Diplomacy.
Is there a Chinese qualification equivalency published for postgraduate entry at Reading?
The official China page included in the evidence does not contain a grade equivalency table for Chinese bachelor’s degrees or other qualifications.
Where should I check for the live entry requirements?
You should navigate from the Politics and International Relations postgraduate subject area on the University of Reading website, select the 2026/27 entry year, and open the dedicated MA International Relations and Diplomacy course page for the most current requirements.
Further reading
Official sources
- MA International Relations and Diplomacy – 2026/27 subject page
- University of Reading – International students: China country information
- Teesside University 2026 guide
- University of Kent 2026 guide: admission, tuition, programs
- Aberystwyth University 2026 guide: admission, fees, rankings
- Australia study abroad agency recommendations and fee comparisons – 2026 latest ranking