Wheaton in Edinburgh Parlimentary Internships
The University of Edinburgh Parliamentary Internship Program
Profile: With the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh in 1999, the University of Edinburgh is offering, to qualified undergraduates, the opportunity to serve as interns to MSPs (Members of the Scottish Parliament) in a semester-length program. Students can select from two programs each lasting fifteen weeks, the first from late August until mid-December and the second from mid-January to late-April. Interns will complete a five-week academic program at the University of Edinburgh's Institute of Governance before being assigned to MSPs within the Scottish Parliament.
Interns will also be required to undertake a research project and will have study space in the parliament building as well as an academic base in the Institute of Governance. Places are restricted to 20 students per program and are very competitive.
Location: Edinburgh is the capital city and the seat of the Scottish Parliament. The city is both ancient, with its 12th century castle dominating the cityscape, as well as modern and cosmopolitan with an impressive range of cultural venues and events. Edinburgh is called the Festival City, as host of the world's largest arts festival each summer. The music scene is eclectic; from big name performers at Edinburgh Castle to jazz and blues, hip hop and folk performances, from opera and concerts to local entertainment in pubs and cafes. Students can explore the Scottish Highlands, the many beautiful lochs or the Isle of Skye; venture to the rest of the UK or travel from Edinburgh's International Airport to European destinations.
Duration: Students may enroll for one semester.
Program dates:
Fall 2007: Early September - Mid December, 2007
Spring 2008: Early January - Mid April, 2008
Courses & credit: Students take three five-week courses and a 10-week internship placement. 4.0 Wheaton credits.
Required Courses (3.0 Wheaton Credits*):
*Each academic component earns 1.0 Wheaton credits.
Government and Politics in the United Kingdom (Political Science 298)
Scottish Politics (Political Science 298)
Scottish Society and Culture (Sociology 298)
10-week Internship (1.0 Wheaton Credit):
Placement with a Member of the Scottish Parliament (Political Science 398)
Admission requirements: Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students must have completed at least two years of study at Wheaton.
Housing & board: Students arrange their own housing and board through the University Accommodation Services. Dormitory- style housing (Pollock Halls) with varied meal plans or self-catered student housing (Kincaid's Court) options, generally with single room accommodations, are available. Visit the Accommodations Website at: www.ed.ac.uk/studying /accommodation/.
Fees: Wheaton Tuition Fees. Expenses covered by Wheaton include: tuition, fees for use of University athletic facilities, round-trip airfare on group flights from Boston or New York and an ISIC card.
Other Expenses: Students are responsible for the costs of housing and meals, transportation to meet the group flight in Boston or New York, passport and visa fees, local transportation, books and supplies, supplemental study abroad insurance, and personal expenses. Vacation Break expenses are not covered under Wheaton fees and students must make independent arrangements for housing, meals, and travel, as needed.
View budget for 2007-2008 academic year here:
Application: Materials are available in the Center for Global Education.
Deadlines: Fall 2007: March 2, 2007
FSpring 2008: September 15, 2007
Contact: Make an appointment to see Naemi McPherson in the Center for Global Education, ext. 4950.
Web links:
Program Information
Internship Program Information
Housing Information
Courses of study:
Required Courses (3.0 Wheaton Credits*):
*Each academic component earns 1.0 Wheaton credits.
Government and Politics in the United Kingdom (Political Science 298)
Scottish Politics (Political Science 298)
Scottish Society and Culture (Sociology 298)
10-week Internship (1.0 Wheaton Credit):
Placement with a Member of the Scottish Parliament (Political Science 398)