The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme has been running since 2017 and places students with host MSPs for invaluable work experience. The Programme is open to all 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students at the University of Glasgow.

Through the structured 10-week placement programme, our interns work in parliamentary and constituency office settings in close cooperation with their host MSPs and their staff, enabling them to develop a range of workplace relevant skills and an appreciation for the value of a career in public service.

The Programme creates hands-on learning opportunities for students to engage in frontline public service roles and provides a platform from which participants can examine and evaluate the role of public servants and elected representatives today.

We are proud to pay our interns above the Real Living Wage. All current and past interns join our Alumni Network.

Apply for the January to April 2023 Parliamentary Internship Programme now! Deadline for applications: 7 October 2022.

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Join the Parliamentary Internship Programme mailing list to be kept up to date with programme news, including when applications next open.

Programme Resources

How to Apply

The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme is open to all third and fourth year students at the University of Glasgow.

Applications are made through the University of Glasgow’s Internship Hub.

You can also find out more about the application process here.

What our interns say...

“I would definitely recommend this opportunity to anyone who is interested in politics or public service. The experience is invaluable and really gives those without means a stepping stone into politics. The staff at the JSC are extremely kind and the MSPs want to see you succeed. For young people with an interest in politics, it’s an amazing opportunity to learn about how public service works and it gives you a real chance to get out of the classroom and know the people working on the ground.”

2020 John Smith Centre Parliamentary Intern

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Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and host MSP

“The John Smith Centre Parliamentary Internship Programme offers interns the opportunity to see representative democracy at the sharp end – and also allows a parliamentary office to benefit from the insight and skills of a senior student. It is very beneficial for all involved.”

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Office of Annie Wells MSP

“It’s been a real pleasure to host a John Smith Centre intern.

From beginning to end, it’s been a very simple and easy process with little effort required on our office’s part.

Our intern has been absolutely fantastic, producing work to a very high standard. I can highly recommend!”

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