THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT INTERNSHIP at THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

  • A unique international experience for each student that contributes to the insight and understanding for leadership in the new global environment
  • Explore and write on significant policy questions such as “Female Representation in the Scottish Parliament,” “Controlling Firearms in Scotland,” the “Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act of 2003 and Its Effects on the Criminal Courts,” “Suicide in Scotland: The Need for a Hotline,” etc.
  • Earn 15 hours during each semester through 3 five-week courses and a 10-week internship
  • Secure University housing in a self-catering student flat
  • Click here to read about previous students' experiences.
WHY THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH?
  • Academic reputation. Edinburgh’s international reputation for academic excellence is well founded with the University recognized regularly for teaching and research excellence. In the most recent assessment, the University received a rating of 5 of 5 (the highest award possible) in 25 subject areas and was ranked fourth among the 120 UK universities. The University of Edinburgh is also ranked 23rd in the world in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2007.
  • The city of Edinburgh. Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland, is a historic, cultured city that offers a unique living and learning experience. One of the most vibrant cities in Europe, Edinburgh is regularly voted one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Its cosmopolitan, safe, and welcoming atmosphere encourages international students to feel at home quickly.
  • There are more than 1,400 students from the United States at the University of Edinburgh.
  • The University has been welcoming students from the United States since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, two signatories of the Declaration, John Witherspoon and Benjamin Rush, were Edinburgh graduates.
  • Today, the University has over 6,000 American alumni, who have found success in a wide range of fields, including government, academia, business, law, and medicine.
Helpful links
Program info at the University of Edinburgh website
Edinburgh City Guide
Program Cost
The cost of tuition and fees for the Parliamentary Internship is approximately $11,600.*
* Based on the current rate of exchange.
Dats of Program
You can select from two sessions, each lasting fifteen weeks:
Semester One — September - December
Semester Two — January - May
Schedule
Students complete three academic courses which are classroom based, followed by a 10-week internship supervised by a member of the Scottish Parliament and an academic from the Institute of Governance.
Course Credit
You can earn 15 hours of academic credit per semester: 9 hours of course work and 6 hours for the internship (PPL 499:Internship).
For the 3 courses students take at The University of Edinburgh, students receive the following credits:
  • Government and Politics in the UK: PPL 496: Topics in Public Policy Leadership Abroad (Section 1)
  • Scottish Politics: PPL 496: Topics in Public Policy Leadership Abroad (Section 2)
  • Scottish Society and Culture: HIS 405: Topics in History Abroad
  • For the Internship, students receive 6 hours of PPL 499: Internship
Space Available
Enrollment in the program is highly selective and will be restricted to no more than twenty students total in any semester. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Because this is a popular program and numbers are limited, early application is advised.
Application Deadlines
Semester One — July 1
Semester Two — November 1
To Apply
Fill out a UM Study Abroad application and a University of Edinburgh Political Internship application (both available at the UM Office of Study Abroad, 359 Martindale), and return them to the UM Office of Study Abroad, along with the following supporting documents:
  • Official Transcript
  • 500-word statement of purpose
  • 1 letter of academic recommendation
Financial Aid
Your financial aid will still apply.
There are also need and merit-based scholarships available to semester Study Abroad students. The UM Office of Financial Aid suggests that all students should review carefully the study abroad information on the Ole Miss Financial Aid home page.
Click here for a listing of alternative loan programs available.
Deadline
Semester One — July 1
Semester Two — November 1
Contact
Maury Breazeale, Study Abroad Advisor, at
(662) 915-1508 or maury@olemiss.edu