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ParliaMentors is a UN award-winning leadership programme for university students from different faith and belief backgrounds.
Apply for ParliaMentors 2024-25
Teams of university students from different faiths and non-religious beliefs collaborate to create real social change while being mentored by MPs.
Through expert-led training, support from local and national NGOs and access to Westminster, ParliaMentors gives students the networks and skills they need to effect real change in their communities, in their careers and in the political arena.
Students on the programme will:
Since 2007, over 700 people have graduated from the programme and now form our vibrant alumni network, continuing to engage in the many opportunities on offer to former participants.
ParliaMentors is open to university students who identify with a faith or belief (religious or non-religious), are keen to work with others of different backgrounds and aspire to be political or community leaders. We are looking for participants who have an interest in making a positive impact on society beyond university, and who take an interest in British politics.
Apply for ParliaMentors 2024-25
Please note that applications are only open to anyone who will be a current student at the following universities:
For more details on the programme and the application process, read the programme details. For any questions not answered on the programme details page, please email us.
F&BF’s UN Award Winning ParliaMentors is a programme where teams of university students of different faiths and non-religious beliefs collaborate to create real social change while being mentored by an MP.
The programme brings together emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds across UK universities and equips you with the skills, experience and networks to realise your career aspirations and ambitions. Through MP mentoring you a gain real insight into politics and interactive training gives you the tools to create social change. The programme is fully funded and supported throughout the academic year. We welcome applications from students who identify with a faith or belief (religious or not) and aspire to become political or community leaders.
You create social change
In a team of 5 students from your university you’ll create a social action project with guidance from F&BF staff and leading NGOs, identifying and responding to a local community need. Students have ownership over their projects, from inception through to delivery,
You see politics in action
Each team is mentored by an MP. Through the mentoring process, you’ll gain a unique insight into politics, seeing politics up close and behind the scenes. You’ll meet with your mentors three to four times. You’ll regularly have the opportunity to attend political events, committees and debates. See our former mentors at List of mentors 2007-22
You develop skills
You’ll attend a three day long expenses-paid residential event exploring and developing your leadership, dialogue, community and political engagement skills. Participants graduate from the programme at a high-profile reception in the Houses of Parliament. Previous key-note speakers at ParliaMentors events include Jon Snow, Baroness Warsi and Bonnie Greer.
You build networks
Since 2007 over 600 students from diverse backgrounds have taken part in ParliaMentors, along with over 85 MP Mentors. Upon graduating you’ll join a vibrant Alumni community who have gone on to work for the Home Office, BBC, think-tanks, charities, MPs and the Civil Service. Others have been elected as local councillors, set up charities and even become MPs themselves. They also delivered the UK’s first youth led Interfaith Summit. Find out more about them here.
For more details on the programme, click the sections below:
You are eligible for ParliaMentors if you fulfil the criteria below. Please note the programme is limited and competitive, there are only 5 spaces available at each university.
ParliaMentors celebrates difference, and as such we welcome a diverse range of students to apply. However, in general we are looking for ParliaMentors who:
Applications for the next cohort of ParliaMentors are open until June 12th 2024.
Apply for ParliaMentors 2024-25
ParliaMentors runs alongside the academic year. The core activities of the year are below, if you are accepted on to the programme you’ll find out more.
You’ll mentored and supported by an MP throughout the year.
Over 85 MPs and peers have mentored ParliaMentors in the past.
You’ll be mentored by an MP on a topic area. across the year, you have the opportunity to:
Social Action Project create change in your community to improve the lives of others around you. ParliaMentors have tackled hate crime, inspired political participation and supported local foodbanks and other incredible social change. ParliaMentors social action projects are:
Here are some examples of inspiring projects delivered by previous cohorts of ParliaMentors:
ParliaMentors is about collaborating to lead and is a real insight into politics alongside the practical skills and experience you’ll need to take the next step in your leadership career. You’ll be managing your own project, negotiating with your team to develop creative ideas to tackle social problems and in your diverse team learning about how intercultural and interfaith dialogue can shape a future that belongs to people of all beliefs.
Upon graduating you’ll receive an official certificate and join a network of over 700 alumni who have graduated from the programme in the last 15 years who have gone on to deliver social change as elected politicians, in the civil service, in charities and the law. Alumni are supported through the ParliaMentors Alumni Committee, a group of ParliaMentors Alumni who provide ongoing social and professional opportunities and development for graduates of the programme. They also plan F&BF’s flagship Interfaith Week event the Interfaith Summit
We encourage ParliaMentors to talk about the programme on their CV, it can really make you stand out to a prospective employer!
Apply for ParliaMentors 2024-25
Rachel Cohen
universities@faithbeliefforum.org