Academics
Summer
Gain the professional skill set and political experience necessary to prepare for a successful career in leadership roles through our intensive eight-week summer programme…
Spring and Autumn
Build an exceptional professional portfolio through a multi-layered academic programme comprised of taught courses, supervised research and a political internship on our 14 week autumn and spring programmes…
The Internship
The internship is an integral feature of our examination of modern British politics. The internships are substantive, challenging and relevant. Scholars are placed in the Houses of Parliament and related bodies providing direct exposure to core political processes and debates…
Study Visits
Immerse yourself in British culture. Our programme of guest lectures around the country will introduce you to some the UK's most influential decision-makers…
The programme capitalises on the Hansard Society's exceptional links with the devolved legislatures to provide an exploration at first hand of nationalism and devolution from two very different perspectives. Study visits to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff are integral features of the Autumn and Spring programmes. The shorter Summer programme includes a visit to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh but not the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff.
Edinburgh, Scotland
The visit includes a tour of the Scottish Parliament and a chance to sit in on First Minister’s Questions as well as lectures by leading Scottish politicians, senior civil servants, academics, media commentators and lawyers.
Edinburgh Castle, the Medieval Old Town, the elegant Georgian New Town, Arthur's Seat, and extinct volcano in Holyrood Park, and the Scottish Parliament itself are all within walking distance of the hotel base.
Cardiff, Wales
A three day study trip to Cardiff to examine Welsh devolution and politics. Scholars have sessions with academics, Welsh Assembly Members and senior officers of the Assembly. The visit also includes a tour of the Senedd and a city walking tour or a tour of Cardiff Castle.
NEW for Autumn 2018: Brussels, Belgium
One of the hallmarks of the Hansard Society Scholars programme is its relevance and contemporaneity. Scholars study and experience British politics at first hand whether it is at the Palace of Westminster or at the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh National Assembly during the study visits. As the Brexit negotiations continue to dominate and indeed convulse the British and the European political establishments, we have decided to add a third study visit to the Autumn 2018 programme. In addition to the usual study visits to the Welsh Assembly in Cardiff and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, our Autumn 2018 Scholars will also take part in a 2 day trip to Brussels to study Brexit from the other side of the Channel!
We will meet with Members of the European Parliament (British and non-British) and members of the European Commission. In order to set the scene and provide context, we will have sessions with British academics and experts in London prior to the study visit. The cost of the visit, return fares on Eurostar and one night in a hotel, are included in the programme fee. (It takes less than 2 hours to travel from London to Brussels, so we will travel out early in the morning, have 2 full days and one night in Brussels, and travel back the next evening.)
The dates of the Autumn programme are: 8 September – 15 December 2018. The cost is £11,000 (GBP) which includes accommodation and all three study visits, as well as the LSE associate student fee, tuition, orientation and all administration and support services. The application deadline is 18 June but we encourage earlier applications!
Depending on what happens with the UK Government's Brexit negotiations with the EU in the next few months, this may be a one-off addition to the usual Hansard Society Scholars programme schedule. We hope you will join us for this unique experience, as well as for another spectacular semester of political engagement and learning in the UK!
Guest Lectures
Our guest lecture series introduces scholars to leading figures in politics, the media, law and academia, providing real life insights into pertinent topics shaping the political agenda.
Social activities
We understand that a significant part of studying abroad is immersing yourself in the host culture. Plenty of cultural activities are therefore included in the programme to make your time in London as memorable as possible.
Scholars are taken on tours of London, the Houses of Parliament, its historic archives and the Westminster-Whitehall area. We invite scholars to group outings to restaurants and cultural venues, and as special guests to Hansard Society's series of events.
Where They've Been
Walking through the Horseguards Parade on Whitehall. Whitehall, Westminster
Former HS Scholar Andrew revealing one of the thousands of historic Acts dating back to the 14th century in the Parliamentary Archives. Houses of Parliament, Westminster
Scholars exploring historic Acts dating back to Elizabeth I and Henry VIII in the Parliamentary Archives. Houses of Parliament, London
Scholars on the Thames' southbank, overlooking Tower Bridge. Bankside, London
Inside Westminster Hall. Built in th 11th century, the hall has seen the sentencing of King Charles I, the laying in state of Winston Churchill, and speeches by numerous heads of state, including President Barack Obama. Houses of Parliament, Westminster
The courtyard to the Palace of Westminster Houses of Parliament, Westminster
Faculty
Our faculty are leading British academics who combine exceptional experience of scholarship, research and practical political participation…
Dr Peter Catterall, Lecturer, Politics and Public Policy
Dr Catterall has written extensively on British constitutional issues, party politics and the media. Apart from editing the Journal of National Identities, his current research interests range from democratization in the Middle East, through the development and operation of British Cabinet committees, to the role of the Leader of the Opposition in the Westminster system.
His latest monograph is on Labour and the Politics of Alcohol (2014) and he has just finished writing a major work on religion and politics in Britain. Dr Catterall is also International Director for the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Westminster.
Dr Paul McVeigh, Lecturer, Parliament and Politics
Politics and International Relations lecturer at the University of Portsmouth for 16 years, Dr Paul McVeigh's teaching and research interests include British Politics, Political Economy, Globalization and European Integration. Dr McVeigh has extensive media experience, speaking on numerous public platforms during the EU Referendum campaign, and has also worked in both the US Congress and Westminster.
Academic Governance Board
The Academic Governance Board provides oversight and management of academic matters relating to the programme. The Board’s mission is to guide, assist and support the programme staff in maintaining academic excellence and rigour and in exercising best practice in study abroad. Current Board members include:
- Lord Norton of Louth, Director of Studies of Hansard Society Scholars and Professor of Government and Director of the Centre for Legislative Studies, University of Hull – Chair
- Professor Sarah Childs, Professor of Politics and Gender, University of Bristol
- Mr Paul Evans, Principal Clerk of the Table Office, House of Commons and member of Study of Parliament Group
- Professor Ivor Gaber, Professor of Journalism, University of Sussex, Emeritus Professor of Broadcast Journalism , Goldsmiths University of London
- Dr Elizabeth Monaghan, Lecturer in Politics, University of Hull
- Professor Michael Rush, Emeritus Professor of Politics, University of Exeter
Academic Credit
At the end of the programme, each scholar receives an academic transcript from the Hansard Society and a ‘Certificate of Completion’ from the London School of Economics and Political Science…