Universities selected to offer Parliamentary Studies Module from 2024/25

Twenty-three universities have been awarded the right to deliver the unique and highly regarded Parliamentary Studies Module from the academic year 2024/25.

In connection with the UK Parliament’s commitment to promoting and supporting the study of Parliament, this is the third time that Parliament has sought collaborators to teach the Parliamentary Studies Module following continued and successful engagement with universities throughout the UK since 2013.

The applications were judged by a panel of staff from the Houses of Parliament and a full list of the successful applicants can be seen below. For the first time, the panel also agreed to pilot engagement with the University of Kent’s Policy Officer apprenticeship programme. The pilot will be reviewed after two years and, if successful, could be continued until 2029/30. 

Commenting on today’s announcement, Dr Lavinia Mitton, University of Kent said:

“We are delighted to have been selected to deliver the Parliamentary Studies module. This partnership recognises higher and degree apprenticeships as a new alternative route into government and politics to traditional degrees for groups under-represented in higher education. We look forward to working with both employers and students to bring greater diversity of thought into the politics sphere.”

Dr. Neil McGarvey and Dr. Mark Shephard, University of Strathclyde said:

“At the School of Government & Public Policy, University of Strathclyde we have been running the Parliamentary Studies module in partnership with the UK Parliament for a number of years on our Politics & International Relations BA (Hons) programme. This has proved to be an exciting and fruitful partnership with students consistently ranking the class amongst the best. Strathclyde students have enjoyed hearing directly from those involved in contemporary parliamentary politics in the UK including the House of Commons Speaker and clerks and library staff from both Houses. We look forward to renewing our collaborative partnership from 2024-25 and giving our students the continuing opportunity to learn about parliamentary procedure directly from House of Commons and House of Lords politicians and staff.”

Professor Edward Simpson, Lancaster University said:

“Lancaster University is very excited to be taking part in the UK Parliamentary Studies programme. This is a transformational opportunity for our students to learn about Parliament and visit and meet with MPs, Parliamentary staff, Civil Servants and attend sessions in the Commons, Lords and Select Committees. It connects our university and region to London and allows our students to feel part of a national institution and set of governmental processes. At Lancaster University, the programme will be administered by the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR) but also will be available to students outside of the department. With its unique interdisciplinary structure, Richardson Institute (the oldest peace and conflict research centre in the UK), its Ethics, Values and Policy Initiative and wide range of policy-relevant research and engagement activities, PPR is well placed to make the most of this opportunity for Lancaster’s students and to value the direct connection with Parliament.”

The 23 higher education institutions awarded the right to deliver the module are:

• Birkbeck University of London
• Brunel University London
• Cardiff University
• Keele University
• Lancaster University
• Queen Mary University of London
• Royal Holloway University of London
• Swansea University
• University College London
• University of Birmingham
• University of East Anglia
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Essex
• University of Exeter
• University of Hull
• University of Kent
• University of Leeds
• University of Lincoln
• University of Liverpool
• University of Manchester
• University of Sheffield
• University of Strathclyde
• University of the West of England

Background

Parliamentary Studies is the only higher education module formally approved by the Houses of Parliament and is co-taught by university tutors and officials from the Houses of Parliament. The aim of the module is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of how Parliament works in both theory and practice and is delivered in collaboration with the Houses of Parliament. The Higher Education Institution (HEI) provides academic and theoretical content, and the Houses of Parliament provides practical teaching about the work, processes and business of Parliament.

The Parliamentary Studies Module has been delivered at a number of universities since 2013/14, and the contracts with existing universities will expire next summer.

Notes to editors

• The successful institutions will deliver the module from the academic year 2024/25 to end of academic year 2029/30 with a review of quality and progress after 2 years (end of academic year 2025/26).
• Parliamentary Studies aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge of how the UK Parliament works (in both theory and practice). It should focus on how the Houses of Parliament operates and could cover themes such as: the structure of Parliament; the legislative process; the role of Select Committees; the role and work of MPs; the role and work of Members of the House of Lords; the relationship with the executive; Parliament and the public; and how the UK Parliament interacts with other Parliaments and legislatures. It may attempt to provide students with a sense of why cultures, traditions and informal relationships matter as well as formal procedures. Although the House of Commons and the House of Lords provide the main institutional focus for this module, students should be encouraged to adopt a comparative approach.
• Delivery of Parliamentary Studies is based on a partnership between the Houses of Parliament and the Higher Education Institute. The Higher Education Institute will manage and assess the module and deliver teaching to provide an academic and theoretical framework for students, while Parliament will provide practical and vocational teaching about the work, processes and business of Parliament.
• The module does not have to be delivered as part of a Politics degree; it could be aligned with alternative degree courses or offered as an elective module to students across a range of faculties. However, the department offering the module must meet the criteria of having staff with relevant expertise to deliver the theoretical content.