Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Co-sponsored by UW-Madison, Arcadia University's Scottish Parliamentary Porgram allows you to enjoy the unique opportunity of working with members of the Scottish Parliament while earning academic credit.
During the first 5 weeks of the program, you will participate in 3 courses that are designed to provide an overview of Scottish society, history, and culture. These courses will also focus on Scottish government and politics (including in relation to Great Britain). Following the completion of coursework, you will participate in a 10-week internship placement under the direction of a member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). The combination of challenging course work and the opportunity to work side by side with an MSP will provide an unparalleled academic, professional, and personal experience.
Edinburgh is lively and cosmopolitan. Considered to be one of Europe's most beautiful cities, it has attractive public parks intermingled with magnificent historic architecture and world-class cultural attractions. Scattered throughout the city are jutting craggy rocks on one of which sits the ancient Edinburgh castle. The rugged natural beauty and the more manicured city-center gardens combine with the urban sophistication of its entertainment and restaurants to make Edinburgh a truly unforgettable city.
Edinburgh is known as the Festival City because of the abundance of events, which are hosted continuously throughout the year. There is the International Arts Festival, which showcases an eclectic and even bizarre variety of dance, music, art, and theater. The Fringe Festival, which runs simultaneously to the Arts Festival, draws amateur theater productions from all of Europe. If that's not enough, other lively events include the Film Festival, TV Festival, and Science Festival.
Students will love discovering all of Edinburgh's historical and cultural treasures, but also appreciate that the city offers easy access to other destination points such as Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness, as well as the scenery of the nearby Scottish Highlands.
Getting to Your Program
You are given guidelines for arrival dates and times, but it is your responsibility to arrange round-trip transportation.
Visa
A student visa is required. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. Arcadia University will provide you with visa information.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Upon your arrival in Scotland, you will have a three-day comprehensive orientation. Orientation will be an excellent introduction to your time in Great Britain and is a mandatory component of an Arcadia study abroad experience. Orientation will feature cultural and recreational activities; sessions about customs and traditions; guidance concerning academic policies and procedures; advice to help you settle into housing; information on health and safety, banking, and the British academic system; and discussion of cross-cultural issues.
Housing
As a participant on an Arcadia University program, you are guaranteed housing. Your program fee includes accommodation, but does not include costs for meals or meal plans.
Students attending the Edinburgh Parliamentary Internship are typically assigned to live in self-catered student flats with other Parliamentary interns. These flats are generally located between the University central campus area and the Parliament building. For more information about housing, click
here.
Excursions and Activities
Co-curricular activities offered throughout the semester are designed to enhance your understanding of British culture. You are invited (and encouraged!) to participate in any or all of these activities, depending on availability. Past activities have included a weekend in the Scottish Highlands, a walking tour of Glasgow, and a weekend in Firbush point.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
During the first five weeks of the Scottish Parliamentary Internship program, you will enroll in three academic courses, each worth 3 UW-Madison credits.
• Scottish Politics
• Government and Politics in the UK
• Scottish Society and Culture
Courses are taught by accomplished instructors from the University of Edinburgh's Faculty of Social Sciences.
Following the completion of course work, you will participate in a 10-week internship directed by a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). Your MSP will help to determine a research topic and supervise the implementation of this project. You will complete a Final Research Report in regards to your internship assignment. This report is an assessment for the internship and includes course requirements, a report, and journal. Your Final Research report, combined with your time in the internship, is worth 6 UW-Madison credits.
Program Web Page(s)
Arcadia Scottish Parliamentary Program
Program Costs
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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