Hansard Scholars Programme (undergraduates)
Are you an undergraduate interested in politics and current affairs? Would you enjoy studying and interning in the UK, at the heart of the parliamentary process, alongside key decision-makers and opinion-formers from Parliament, Government, campaign organisations, think tanks, lobbying groups, and the media? Would you enjoy a semester living in one of the most vibrant, exciting, and politically important cities in the world?
As a Hansard Scholar, you will be part of an organisation with an unparalleled reputation in the political world, developed over more than 60 years. You will study British politics at the London School of Economics, have seminars with politicians and do an internship with an organisation which corresponds with your research interests – be it with an NGO, a government department, a lobbying group or in the Houses of Parliament themselves!
The Hansard Scholars Programme is a 12-week (11 weeks in summer), full-time course (split equally between study and internship) which offers an outstanding opportunity for
international students to gain academic and practical knowledge of the
British political system and current debates in UK public policy.
Internship
“The Hansard Scholars were invaluable in my very small staff. I recall many of the Scholars and their valued contribution; I keep in touch with lots of them.”
Rt. Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen – former NATO Secretary General & former UK Secretary of State for Defence
All Hansard Scholars undertake an internship which is individually selected by the Hansard Society to match your interests, expertise and career aspirations.
As a Hansard Scholar your internship may be with a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons or a Peer in the House of Lords, writing speeches, carrying out research and attending parliamentary meetings; you may be in the parliamentary clerks’ office – with unprecedented access to the behind-the-scenes workings of Parliament; or with the BBC, researching articles and analysing the work of the Government; or with a campaign group, helping to devise and run media campaigns on key social and political issues. You may be based in the national headquarters of a political party or in one of the other many organisations and businesses which drive forward the policy agenda in the UK and beyond.
Past internships have included:
- Houses of Parliament - offices of MPs belonging to the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and the Scottish National Party, and Members of the House of Lords
- The Cabinet Office
- Government Departments
- National Labour Party HQ & Conservative Central Office
- BBC Parliament
- Campaign groups (incl. Amnesty International, Liberty and the Women’s National Commission)
- Lobbying/ Public Affairs Organisations
- Businesses and Consultancies
Credit is awarded upon successful completion of the internship, subject to a performance evaluation.
London School of Economics
All Hansard Scholars are registered as students at the LSE. The LSE is one of the world’s most prestigious universities and is internationally renowned for its teaching and research in the social and political sciences.
Your fee payment entitles you to membership of the LSE Library – the largest collection of social science material in the world; an LSE email account and use of IT facilities; access to student shops, bars, public lectures and social events; and membership of the Student Union.
Academic Courses
“The Hansard Scholars Programme offers opportunities that are one in a million, providing experiences that cannot be topped. The courses are rigorous but rewarding, engaging and relevant to modern day political life in the UK and beyond.”
Joshua Greiner – Purdue University, Hansard Alumnus
Academic work (17.5 hours per week) is divided between courses, guest lectures and supervised research.
Parliament & Politics
This course examines the constitutional and political process in Britain, including the role of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the Civil Service, and the policymaking process.
Politics & Public Policy
This course analyses current policy issues, including the economy, civil liberties and foreign policy.
Assessment for each course is through a 1,500 essay and a three-hour examination.
Dissertation
Scholars also pursue an individual research project. The paper is an opportunity for Scholars to develop their own ideas on a topic which interests them and must be 8,000 – 10,000 words in length.
All classes take place at the London School of Economics and all courses and research papers are assessed by a current member of the LSE Government Department faculty.
There are approximately 20 Hansard Scholars on each Programme.
Credits
All Hansard Scholars are reminded that it is their home institution that determines how credit is awarded, not the Hansard Society or LSE. The Hansard Society provides marks that your university can then decide how to use. Universities from the USA typically award 15 credits to students upon successful completion of the Programme:
Parliament & Politics – 3 credits
Politics & Public Policy – 3 credits
Research Project – 3 credits
Internship – 6 credits
Guest Lectures
Scholars are required to attend a Guest Lecture every other week throughout the Programme. Guest lecturers in past semesters have included:
- Former Conservative and Labour Cabinet ministers
- MPs and peers from each of the main British political parties
- Political journalists from the BBC and national newspapers
- Experienced lobbyists, campaigners, and policy experts
Political Study Visits & Cultural Events
As a Hansard Scholar you will be living in London, one of the social, political, and cultural capitals of the world. From the rich history of the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace to the trading floors and soaring heights of the modern financial City, from the world famous art collections held at the Tate and National Galleries, to the bustling, eclectic street life of Notting Hill, Soho, Islington and Portobello, London is an unforgettable city at the heart of Europe.
The Hansard Society makes sure that you experience the best that London and the UK have to offer. Every semester – at no extra cost – we organise a programme of study visits, day-trips, and theatre trips for all Hansard Scholars. These include:
Accommodation
The Hansard Society provides accommodation in apartments in central London for all our Scholars. They include kitchen facilities, furniture and bedlinen. Accommodation is based on Scholars sharing rooms. All apartments are cleaned regularly and are located close to shopping and entertainment facilities in central London.
Programme Dates
Each Programme runs for 12 weeks (in autumn & spring) and 11 weeks (in summer).
Spring 2009
January 10th-April 4th, 2009
Application deadline: still accepting applications
Summer 2009May 23rd - August 1st, 2009
(dates tbc)Deadline: February 1st, 2009
Autumn 2009
September 21st – December 11th, 2009
(dates tbc)Deadline: April 1st, 2009
Who Should Apply?
The Hansard Scholars Programme is highly competitive and each semester we are forced to decline a number of very good candidates. It is crucial, therefore, that you provide us with as much positive information about your interests and experience as possible to support your application.
The Programme assumes no previous knowledge of British politics or any experience of political internships. More important is that applicants show a genuine interest in politics and public policy, and a commitment to studying in a high level political environment. Scholars’ work will often be of a sensitive nature and so personal integrity – in addition to commitment and enthusiasm – are crucial. Applicants from the USA must have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
How to Apply?
All applicants must complete an application (see below) and attach the following pieces of documentation:
- a short personal statement outlining reasons for applying
- a CV/ resume
- a sample of written academic work (2,000 words approx.)
- two letters of recommendation
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide evidence of proficiency in the English language. The following qualifications are acceptable to the Hansard Society:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with normally a minimum score of 603 in the paper test, 250 in the computer-based test or 100 in the internet based test.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with normally a minimum score of 6.5.
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English
- Other qualifications may be considered.
Please click here to download the Hansard Scholars Programme Application Form in pdf format. For further details, please contact the Hansard Scholars Programme Coordinator at study@hansard.lse.ac.uk or by phone on +44 207 438 1223.
Programme Fees
Hansard Scholars Programme fees include:
- All tuition
- Access to LSE student services, IT facilities, events, public lectures, restaurants and bars.
- A calendar of cultural and social events
- Membership of the LSE Library
- Self-catering accommodation in central London
- A London Transport Travelcard allowing unlimited travel throughout Zones 1 and 2.
- A study placement in the Houses of Parliament or other prominent political organisation.
- All administration and student support services.
Current fees are: £6,850 per student, with payment being made in instalments as follows:
- Non-refundable deposit of £450 to guarantee place on the Programme
- £3,400 payment eight weeks before the start of the Programme
- £3,000 (& £250 returnable accommodation damage deposit) four weeks before the start of the Programme
Withdrawal & Refund Policy
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If an applicant withdraws 31 days or more prior to the first day of the Programme, the applicant will receive 100% of the total Programme fee paid less the deposit of £450.
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If an applicant withdraws 30 days or less prior to the first day of the Programme, the applicant will receive 50% of the Programme fee paid less the deposit of £450.
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If an applicant withdraws on or after the first day of the Programme, the applicant will not receive any refund of Programme fees.
The
Hansard Society is registered with the UK Government's Department for
Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS) as an education &
training provider, and is accredited by the British Accreditation
Council.
HANSARD SCHOLARS PROGRAMME STAFF
Professor the Lord Norton of Louth FRSA, AcSS - Director of Studies
Lord Norton of Louth [Philip Norton] was appointed Professor of Government in 1986, making him - at the age of 35 - the youngest professor of politics in the UK. In 1992, he also became Director of the Centre for Legislative Studies and he is currently the Vice Chair of the Political Studies Association. In 1998, he was elevated to the peerage, as Lord Norton of Louth. He is currently a member of the Select Committee on the European Union, was Chairman of the Commission to Strengthen Parliament, which reported in 2000 and has been Chair of the Houses of Lords Constitution Committee (2001-2004).
Lord Norton is author or editor of 26 books and has also published over 65 book chapters, over 100 articles in scholarly journals and in excess of 225 short articles for parliamentary and other magazines. He has delivered over 100 papers to conferences around the globe and is an internationally recognised expert on the British Parliament and on comparative legislatures. Lord Norton has been described in The House Magazine - the journal of both Houses of Parliament - as ‘our greatest living expert on Parliament.'
Alex Boughton - Programme Director (& Deputy Chief Executive, Hansard Society)
As Deputy Chief Executive of the Hansard Society, Alex plays a key role in working to stimulate knowledge of and an interest in the British political process. Alex is also responsible for the Society's wide range of political education and training programmes in the UK and Scottish Parliaments, including the Hansard Scholars Programme, the Hansard Research Scholars Programme and the Hansard Society/ University of Edinburgh Research Scholars Programme.
Alex started his career in international education at the British Council in Ecuador before joining Marconi plc in 1999. During three years at Marconi, he managed a wide variety of high-profile, international education programmes, liaising with representatives from government, business and education at the highest levels. Alex returned to South America where he worked as a teacher in Chile before joining the Hansard Society in July 2004.
Alexandra
Vincenti - Programme Coordinator (maternity cover until September 09)
Alexandra joined the Hansard Society in September 2008 and is responsible for the preparation and
organisation of the Hansard Scholars Programme. In this role she organises trips, lectures and internships as well
as dealing with the welfare of the Scholars during their time in London.
Previously,
Alexandra worked as Education and Welfare Officer for the Students' Union at
the London School of Economics, where she ran awareness campaigns on issues
concerning diversity and health. She
also advised students on education and pastoral problems. She graduated from the London School of
Economics in 2006 with a degree in International Relations and from King's
College London in 2008 with a Master's degree in War Studies.
Ivanna Chakma - Programme Coordinator (currently on maternity leave)
Ivanna is responsible for the coordination of the Hansard Scholars Programme and is the main point of contact for Hansard Scholars during their time in London.
Before joining the Hansard Society in 2006, Ivanna worked in the Mayor's Office at the Greater London Authority (GLA). She was involved in several high-profile Mayoral initiatives, including the successful bid for London 2012 Olympic Games project and the London Summer of Sport initiative.
Ivanna graduated from the London School of Economics in 2001 with a BA in History with Government before completing a postgraduate diploma in Law at BBP Law School in London.
Dr Mette Jolly - Lecturer in Politics & Public Policy
Mette was awarded a PhD from the University of Nottingham for research into democracy in the European Union. From 2000-2005, Mette taught at the University of Nottingham and she currently lectures on the Masters Programme at Birkbeck College London. She is the author of The European Union and the People (Oxford University Press, 2007).
Dr Matthew Cole - Lecturer in Parliament & Politics
Matthew has also lectured in British politics at the University of Birmingham and at the Open University. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Birmingham for his doctoral research on the British Liberal Party 1945-1962. He has published in a wide range of political and academic books and journals, and is the author of Democracy in Britain (Edinburgh University Press, 2006).
For full details on Hansard Society staff, please click here