Hansard Society Scholars

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…

Inside Westminster: Politics, Policy & Participation

Course Outline

The summer programme includes a two-part highly participatory course. Part I examines the structure and process of British politics, providing an overview of the British political system and allowing engagement with current themes and issues.

Part II provides the cross-cultural and professional context for the internship and helps Scholars develop strategies for using their internship experience and acquired skills for career building.

Assessment in Part I is based on an essay and a final exam. Assessment in Part II is based on blog posts on different themes relating to the internship and contemporary British political issues and a self-evaluation essay on the internship.

Course Materials

Internship

The internship is a major part of the programme, individually tailored to the interests of each scholar. Jump to the internship section to find out more about our unique opportunities.

Study Visit and Guest Lectures

A four day study visit to the Scottish Parliament to examine nationalism and devolution and a topical guest lecture series with leading political figures complements the course.

Learn more about our study visits and guest lectures

The London School of Economics

The bespoke courses organised by Hansard Society Scholars are offered in association with the London School of Economics and Political Science. Scholars are enrolled as associate students at the LSE, providing them with full access to the world's largest social science collection and classes are held on the LSE campus. A senior member of the LSE Government faculty serves as the programme's external examiner.*

* The courses are not regular LSE courses and the programme should not be confused with the LSE’s own parliamentary 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…

Westminster and the Devolved Legislatures

Course outline

Parliament & Politics

This course complements the practical experience of British politics gained in the internship by exploring topical trends and debates in the UK's political arena.

Its aim is to establish a firm bedrock of understanding about the mechanics and institutions of British democracy. These will serve as launching-points for more fundamental discussions about the nature of politics, our expectations of representatives, and the challenges facing a democracy that is in the midst of profound cultural and political change. Assessment is based on 2,000 word essay and a written (essay-format) examination.

Politics & Public Policy

This course analyses current policy issues and seeks to explore how political mechanisms work (particularly but by no means exclusively) in the UK. It examines how political institutions and choices shape policy processes. The course is highly topical and specific policy areas covered each term reflect the national debate. Assessment is based on two policy drafts and a written (essay format) final exam.

Course materials

Internship

The internship is a major part of the programme, individually tailored to the interests of each scholar. Jump to the internship section to find out more about our unique opportunities.

Dissertation

A challenging but highly rewarding feature of the semester programmes is the 7,000 word dissertation. Scholars choose a topic relevant to their study in London and are assigned a course tutor who acts as their supervisor, guiding and supporting them through the project. This is a unique opportunity for scholars to explore their ideas in a much more developed and extensive way and produce a piece of work that has lasting value.

Study visits & guest lectures

Study visits to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh and the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff give spring and autumn scholars a unique opportunity to examine nationalism and devolution from two very different perspectives.

A guest lecture series with leading politicians, media figures and academics, exploring emerging issues in British poltics is also included. Learn more about our study visits and guest lectures

The London School of Economics

Scholars are enrolled as associate students at the LSE, granting them full access access to the world's largest library dedicated to the social sciences. The courses are administered by the Hansard Society and designed to complement the internships. External examination is provided by a senior member of the LSE's Government faculty.*

* The courses are not regular LSE courses and the programme should not be confused with the LSE’s own parliamentary programme.

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…

What you will gain

The internships provide scholars with the opportunity to apply the theory and context gained in the taught courses to the practical side of political work. Scholars gain hands-on experience of policy research and writing, constituency casework, select committee enquiries, political campaigns and strategic decision-making.

In the internships, scholars undertake work of a local, national and international nature; sit in on debates and committee meetings; attend press conferences and events in and around Westminster; and much more. At the end of the programme scholars will have developed a sharp professional skills set and built lifelong networks.

Types of Internship

Our internships cover a wide range of exciting roles across numerous offices, departments and industries, including, but by no means limited to:

Houses of Parliament

Most scholars choose a placement within the Palace of Westminster, working in the office of a Member of Parliament, a Member of the House of Lords (called a “Peer”) or for a House of Commons or House of Lords Committee. Parliamentary placements tend to provide a mixture of work including, normally, a fair amount of research on local, national or international issues.

Scholars interning for Members of Parliament are often engaged in constituency casework and some administrative work. These scholars are often asked to help research and write press releases and to work on their Member’s website and other social media outlets. Every effort is made to match scholars with MPs or Peers whose political areas of interest are similar to theirs. However, they must be prepared to work across a variety of areas.

Think Tanks, NGOs, Pressure and Campaign Groups

Scholars with a particularly specific focus of interest, such as defence, human rights, international development or poverty reduction to name just a few, are often most suitably placed in think tanks, NGOs, pressure or campaign groups exclusively focused on their specific area. These placements are mainly policy research and event-oriented.

Public Affairs Consultancies and Media Organisations

Scholars can acquire experience of public affairs, government and corporate relations, media management and political intelligence by working for a public affairs consultancy or media organisation. Public affairs and media interns conduct research, assist with client support and undertake event planning.

Business, Financial or Economics Institutes

Scholars may explore public policy from within a business or financial institution and develop an understanding of the intersection of business, government, public policy and society. These placements are primarily research-based and cover areas such as corporate social responsibility, regulation and political economy. A strong background in economics is normally required for placement in these areas.

Law Firms

Many Hansard scholars plan a career in law. London’s legal community provides a rich and varied testing ground for a wide range of specialities. Sometimes, however, interns get a wider exposure and better overview of UK law by interning for a small, general practice that covers several areas of law. Specific areas of interest should be noted on the application.

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.

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.

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

Browse our photo gallery

Photo of a Hansard Society Scholars at the back entrance to the Horseguards Parade on Whitehall, London — Walking through the Horseguards Parade on Whitehall. Whitehall, Westminster

Photo of Hansard Society Scholar sifting through scrolls of historic Acts of Parliament in the Parliamentary Archives, UK Houses of Parliament — 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

Photo of Hansard Society Scholars sifting through scrolls of historic Acts of Parliament in the Parliamentary Archives, UK Houses of Parliament — Scholars exploring historic Acts dating back to Elizabeth I and Henry VIII in the Parliamentary Archives. Houses of Parliament, London

Photo of Hansard Society Scholars on the Thames' southbank, London, with Tower Bridge in the background — Scholars on the Thames' southbank, overlooking Tower Bridge. Bankside, London

Photo of Hansard Society Scholars in Westminster Hall, UK Houses of Parliament — 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

Photo of Hansard Society Scholars in the courtyard to the Palace of Westminster, standing in front of Big Ben, UK Houses of Parliament — 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…

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. A duplicate transcript is also sent to the home credit-granting institution. The transcript shows grades in the British percentage format but the LSE UK – US conversion scale is shown on the reverse side.

It is up to each home credit-granting institution to determine how these grades and hours are converted and posted on the permanent transcript but the Hansard Society recommends the following credit hour values to US institutions:

Autumn and Spring programmes: Each of the two taught courses = 3 hours each for a total of 6 hours + supervised dissertation = 3 hours + integral and assessed internship = 6 hours for a total of 15 credit hours.
Summer programme: The two part taught course and the integral and assessed internship form a block worth 6 credit hours.

Inside Westminster: Politics, Policy & Participation

Course Outline

Course Materials

Internship

Study Visit and Guest Lectures

The London School of Economics

Westminster and the Devolved Legislatures

Course outline

Parliament & Politics

Politics & Public Policy

Course materials

Internship

Dissertation

Study visits & guest lectures

The London School of Economics

What you will gain

Types of Internship

Houses of Parliament

Think Tanks, NGOs, Pressure and Campaign Groups

Public Affairs Consultancies and Media Organisations

Business, Financial or Economics Institutes

Law Firms

Edinburgh, Scotland

Cardiff, Wales

Guest Lectures

Social activities

Dr Peter Catterall, Lecturer, Politics and Public Policy

Dr Paul McVeigh, Lecturer, Parliament and Politics

Academic Governance Board