Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Parliamentary Internship Programme are below. If you have any questions concerning admission and accommodation please contact Alex Baker and if you have any questions about the academic part of the programme please feel free to contact Paddy Bort.
A: The Edinburgh University Political Internship Programme offers the opportunity to intern with an MSP during two periods every year, from mid January to end of April; and from beginning of September to mid-December.
A: The programme has a ceiling of 20 interns per period in order to safeguard efficient tuition and placement.
A: The first five weeks focus on three classes, four hours each week, on 'British Politics', 'Scottish Politics', and 'Scottish Society and Culture' followed by two weeks to complete essays and exams. After that, the interns spend another eight weeks in Parliament, working full-time with an MSP and his/her staff with one compulsory meeting per week at the University.
A: All applicants are asked to state their party political preferences during the application process. In weeks 2 and 3 the interns have an interview with the Director of Studies to determine (a) the policy area(s) the intern would like to do research in, and (b) the party and perhaps even individual MSPs the intern would like to work with. Not all MSPs want to, or can, take interns, so choice is limited. And experience shows that interns have had an interesting and rewarding time in all political parties. The programme also tries to distribute interns fairly among the parties.
A: Introductory interviews are arranged for weeks 4 and 5 of the internship so that the transition to actually interning with the MSP can smoothly start at the beginning of week 6.
A: The internship provides students with 70 credits. 30 credits result from the three courses (essays, exams & course presentations), and 40 credits are given for the research project (final report for MSP and Director of Studies, plus journal).
A: A research project agreed between MSP, intern and Director of Studies. Research projects can cover a wide range of subjects and topics (see the list on the Parliamentary Internship Programme page of this web site). Many entail a comparative element - looking at best practice in other self-governing regions or small states. There is always an element of document research; surveys might be undertaken, and evidence and opinions gathered from sources inside and outside of the Scottish Parliament. The research project is the backbone of the internship, other daily or occasional 'duties' might be added - but we make it clear to MSPs that interns are not additional filing clerks and coffee makers… Contributing to the policy-making process gives the interns a touch of ownership in the evolving Scottish Parliament.
A: The University offers student accommodation in Kincaid's Court (only a stone's throw from the Parliament) and in Pollock Halls (still within walking distance).
A: The internship is a serious academic programme - interns are expected to be on a steep learning curve! - and working in the Parliament can be pretty intensive. Still, there certainly is time to partake of the rich diversity of leisure and cultural activities on offer in Edinburgh and beyond.
This page was published on 2 July 2010