The UK Parliament is today, 8 February, announcing that Royal Holloway, University of London is one of the 24 universities which will offer the innovative and unique Parliamentary Studies module from academic year 2019/20.
The aim of the rigorous course is to provide students with a detailed knowledge of how Parliament works in both theory and practice. It is approved by and taught in collaboration with the UK Parliament, delivered in partnership with a number of higher education institutions.
This is the second time the UK Parliament has sought collaborators to teach the Parliamentary Studies module.
The submissions from the institutions that applied were judged by a panel of staff from the Houses of Parliament and representatives from the higher education sector.
Dr Nicholas Allen, from the School of Politics and International Relations at Royal Holloway, and who led the successful application, said: “This is great news for students at Royal Holloway and a fantastic addition to our degree programmes.
“As recent events demonstrate, Parliament remains absolutely central to British political life and democracy. Parliamentary studies will enable our students to explore in depth what it does, how it works and just what goes on there.”
Commenting on today’s announcement, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon John Bercow MP added: “There can be no better time to learn about politics - how Parliament operates and to hear from the people who work there - than right now when the topic is on everyone’s mind.
“Our Parliamentary Studies module brings the procedures of the House of Commons and House of Lords to life, providing a wonderful complement to on-campus teaching with a range of resources and services aimed at engaging students and university staff.
“I am so pleased that we now have 24 universities involved in the scheme – four more than previously”
Rt Hon the Lord Fowler, the Lord Speaker, commented: “Having been a keen supporter of the parliamentary studies programme for several years, I am delighted that it is going from strength to strength, and that its further expansion will mean that many more students throughout the UK will be able to participate.
“The programme has already resulted in a significant increase in the teaching of parliamentary studies and I gladly offer it my continued and enthusiastic support.”
