Universities to deliver official Parliament politics module
22 March 2013 (updated on 22 March 2013)
Thirteen universities have been chosen by a judging panel to deliver a new Parliamentary Studies module, approved and co-taught by the House of Parliament.
This project has the support of the Speakers of the House of Commons and House of Lords. The selected universities will deliver the module from September 2013.
The universities are:
- Birkbeck - University of London
- University of Bristol
- Cardiff University
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Hull
- University of Leeds
- University of Leicester
- University of Manchester
- University of Nottingham
- University of Sheffield
- University of Strathclyde
- Swansea University, and
- University of Ulster.
The Parliamentary Studies module gives students a detailed knowledge of how the UK Parliament works, through seminars delivered by senior Parliamentary staff as well as tutors from their institution, and is designed to be of particular value to those considering a career in politics.
Clare Cowan, Head of Public Information and Outreach said,
"Parliament’s Outreach Service offers a range of resources and services aimed at students and university staff. The applications from universities to teach the Parliamentary Studies module were of a very high standard and we look forward to working with the successful universities to engage students with the work of the House of Commons and House of Lords."
Students studying the module will have the chance to visit the Palace of Westminster, as well as receiving talks at their university from Parliamentary clerks covering a range of topics from the legislative process to the changing role of the House of Lords.
The new Parliamentary Studies module has been piloted at the University of Sheffield in 2012/13 but as part of Parliament’s Outreach Service commitment to expanding the roll-out of the module, a small number of selected universities have been chosen by a judging panel to deliver the module from 2013/14.
The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly of Wales, the Northern Ireland Assembly and the UK Office of the European Parliament are also involved in the delivery of the module, providing support and teaching on relevant seminars.
Further information
Parliament's Outreach Service raises awareness of the work, processes and relevance of the institution of Parliament, with the aim of increasing levels of public engagement.
The Houses of Parliament provides services and resources aimed at staff and students from universities across the UK. Delivered by Parliamentary Outreach, these have been developed to assist universities and support lecturers and tutors in accessing information about the processes, business and work of the Houses of Parliament.