Arts and Humanities
Parliamentary Studies Module Information
For students of Politics, International Relations and PPE
The Department of Political and Cultural
Studies has been awarded the right to deliver
a new module on Parliamentary Studies by
the Houses of Parliament. This prestigious
module is approved and supported by the
Speaker and Clerk of the House of Commons,
and the Lord Speaker and Clerk of Parliaments
in the House of Lords. The Department is one
of a small number of departments across the
UK which has won the right to deliver the
module from 2013-14 to 2018-19, judged by
a panel of Parliamentary staff, academics and
advisors.
The Parliamentary Studies module is
delivered in the first term of the final year and
is followed by an option to take a Dissertation
in Parliamentary Studies in the second term.
The module is taught by Professor Jonathan
Bradbury in conjunction with staff of the
Houses of Parliament. It provides students
with an academic and theoretical framework
for study as well as practical and vocational
perspectives. The primary focus of the
module is the UK parliament, but teaching is
pitched so as to encourage the comparative
study of parliaments, as well as Parliament’s
relations with the European Union and the
UK’s devolved parliaments/assemblies.
The module is delivered through weekly
lecture/seminar classes and includes selected
sessions which are attended by members of
parliament and the House of Lords to give
personal perspectives and insights. There
is also an organised visit to the Palace of
Westminster to receive tours of the House
of Commons and House of Lords, talks from
clerks, watch some parliamentary business
and meet the Speaker of the House of
Commons.
Staff from the Houses of Parliament visit the
Department to deliver some of the classes
and are available to act as informal project
advisors to students who take the follow on
Dissertation in Parliamentary Studies module.
The Parliamentary Studies module and
Dissertation is available to a maximum
of 20 students, selected on the basis of
performance and attitude to study. They are
well supported by large library holdings and a
dedicated subject librarian.
The module complements the highly
successful module on the National Assembly
for Wales, currently in its eighth year,
which provides students not only with the
opportunity to study the Assembly but also
undertake an internship placement with an
Assembly Member. Students research and
write a specialist policy report.
Parliamentary Studies is of particular value for
students wishing to pursue a career in politics
or public affairs.
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Immerse yourself in politics
“Parliamentary Studies is an innovative
module, combining the best of scholarly
research and hands-on discussion with
members of the UK Parliament and
Parliamentary staff. It builds really well on
earlier modules on comparative and British
politics and provides an opportunity to
immerse yourself in depth in how politics
and legislation work at the heart of British
Government.
“Students are thoroughly versed on all the
academic literature on the study of parliament,
focusing in particular on the efforts to
modernise the House of Commons and reform
the House of Lords since the 1990s. They receive
a wide variety of talks from MPs, Peers, clerks
and committee specialists, who come to the
Department specifically for the course. There
is also a visit to the palace of Westminster
when students have the opportunity to see
Commons and Lords debates, Bill committees,
and select committee inquiries.
“The module provides huge insight into how
politics works in practice and allows students
to make links with other courses which can
add to their academic performance across
the board. It also establishes contacts with
parliamentary staff that students can then rely
on when they undertake specialist dissertation
work later in the final year.
A fantastic opportunity
“Parliamentary Studies influences students
when they are thinking about their careers and
helps them build contacts that are particularly
useful for developing careers in politics and
government. Its one of the most enjoyable
courses I’ve ever taught and I can see that
it provides a really good focus for students
seeking to finish their degrees on a high point
in their final year of studies.”
“The Parliamentary Studies module is
a fantastic new opportunity that I have
thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this year.
“It is a course that really allows you to explore
the makeup of British politics, delving
into significant topics that have affected
and still do affect Westminster; the debate
over the House of Lords reform and the
expenses scandal are two standout areas
of interest that the module has encouraged
us as students to really get stuck into.
Professor of Politics
Jonathan Bradbury
An array of modules and a good mix of classes
“I have been fascinated by politics since I was 15 or 16. For A Level, I studied Politics,
Religion and Ethics, Geography and Media Studies, but politics was my favourite subject.
“I had checked out the course at Swansea and liked the wide array of modules. There
was a good mix of research and taught classes, group work and individual work. I enjoy
contemporary British politics, political strategy, campaigning, elections and voting.
“When you are studying politics, you are studying a contemporary and current degree.
It’s more relevant to your life than people realise. It gives you analytical skills and the
skills to research independently and teach. I would definitely recommend the course.”
“The teaching side has also added further
depth to the module, with guest lecturers
coming and giving first-hand accounts of
the inner workings of Westminster, most
notably Peter Hain MP delivering two
insightful lectures in which we were able
to take on board his views on devolution,
the European Union and his life as an MP.
“The arranged field trip to the Houses
of Parliament was another great aspect
of the course, allowing us access
to witness Westminster in action.”
Josh Allard, BA in Politics
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George Painter
(pictured)