The Exeter Politics Internship Programme

Launched in 2011, the Exeter Politics Internship Programme provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience during the summer vacation of the second year.  By bridging academic study with an in-depth personal experience of working in the political world, you will develop a set of skills that will demonstrate to future employers your readiness to work and your awareness of working cultures and environments.

Internships are mostly based in Westminster working with an MP, although they can also be in an MP’s constituency office. They take place over the summer for 8-12 weeks or shorter placements may also be arranged over Christmas and Easter vacations.  We have secured internships with the Parliamentary Resources Unit in Westminster.

Claire Dunlop, Senior Lecturer in Politics and academic lead for employability

The Politics Internship Programme allows students to put what they have learned in the classroom to the test in one of the most exhilarating, fast-moving workplaces in the world - the Palace of Westminster. Interns will gain vital workplace experience and develop the presentational and interpersonal skills which today's employers value highly.


What does an internship involve?

Students are supported by the University of Exeter before their internship, with a preparatory workshop. Topics include:

  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Professionalism in the workplace
  • Indentifying key skills for the workplace
  • Health and Safety
  • Tailored training session with the Parliamentary Outreach unit for the South West.

The type of work a student should expect to do is: casework and policy activity, interaction with the public, working with other agencies, policy development and legislation, work with other MPs’ offices and support MPs’ work in the chamber and committee.

If you would like to find out more, or you are able to offer an internship, please contact Julia Paci, Employability and Work Placement Officer.

Current politics and international relations students can access details of all Exeter Politics Internship vacancies via the e-learning environment.

Exeter Politics students spent an eventful summer in Westminster. With an unprecedented two recalls in two months, summer 2011 was an unusually busy time in Parliament, and five University of Exeter politics students will retain vivid memories of those summer months. Read their story.

Job positions within Westminster are too often filled internally, placing well-qualified external candidates at a disadvantage. This placement provides a unique opportunity for highly-skilled undergraduates to get their foot in the door and maximise their employability in the public policy sector.

All the candidates I interviewed Exeter performed to the highest ability and I left Exeter assured that all would be able to positively contribute to the workings of the PRU from day one.

I would like to place on record my thanks to the employability staff at Exeter University who, as well as being efficient and informative, were very accommodating and ensured that the whole application process was conducted smoothly.

Stuart Burt, Parliamentary Adviser for the Parliamentary Resources Unit