Advanced Diploma in Interdisciplinary Political Studies
Course Overview
The Advanced Diploma in Interdisciplinary Political Studies is a UK Level 5 senior-track qualification running 12 to 15 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme treats politics as an interlocking discipline with law, economics and history, giving students the ability to move between institutional analysis, public policy and international relations questions in a single argument. The syllabus is aligned with themes referenced by the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association.
By graduation you will have produced integrated policy briefings, mapped institutional constraints on economic decisions, drafted comparative case studies across UK and European contexts, and completed a capstone project on a live interdisciplinary question. Credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up is confirmed in writing at enrolment.
Key Features
- UK Level 5 credential aligned with Political Studies Association themes.
- Interdisciplinary case-room seminars bridging politics, law and economics.
- Guest sessions from cross-disciplinary practitioners.
- Capstone project supervised by a tutor with active interdisciplinary profile.
- Credit transfer into LSLPE Bachelor's top-up routes confirmed at enrolment.
- Careers-service introductions to think tanks, Whitehall and consultancies.
- Named programme-tutor support across all three study modes.
What You Will Learn
- Political theory across liberal, conservative and critical traditions.
- Institutional analysis linking law-making with political and economic constraints.
- Comparative UK and European policy case studies.
- Foundations of public choice and political economy.
- Reading interdisciplinary outputs from Chatham House, IfG and IFS.
- Drafting integrated briefings that cross disciplinary lines.
- Comparative case-study design for policy analysis.
- Producing an evidence-led capstone argument.
Who This Course Is For
- Policy officers wanting cross-disciplinary depth.
- Progressors from a Level 4 Diploma toward a UK Bachelor's top-up.
- Career changers moving into political and policy work.
- International applicants planning national policy careers.
- Working professionals in NGOs, consultancies or public affairs.
Career Pathways
- Policy Adviser on cross-departmental portfolios.
- Public Affairs Consultant supporting corporate and NGO clients.
- Political Analyst in a think tank.
- Programme Manager on interdisciplinary public initiatives.
- Strategy Adviser to a public body.
- Political Communications Officer at a public affairs firm.
- Public Leadership Fellow entry roles.
The LSLPE careers service coordinates introductions with think tanks, Whitehall and consultancies and runs at least one careers day each academic year.
Entry Requirements
- A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Foundation Year, or at least two years of relevant experience in politics, policy or public administration.
- GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C or equivalent.
- IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
- One academic or professional reference.
- Applicants with policy or research portfolios are encouraged to include them.
Why Study at LSLPE
The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches in small, tutor-visible cohorts and explicitly reads law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines, making the Advanced Diploma in Interdisciplinary Political Studies a natural fit. Central London gives students access to Chatham House, the LSE-adjacent policy ecosystem and Parliament within a short tube ride of every classroom.
Every intake shares the same weekly seminar structure, and the careers service maintains curriculum alignment against Political Studies Association guidance.
Apply for Advanced Diploma in Interdisciplinary Political Studies
Applications for the Advanced Diploma in Interdisciplinary Political Studies are reviewed on a rolling basis. Enrol on a UK Level 5 Advanced Diploma at LSLPE, credit transfer into Bachelor top-ups confirmed in writing at enrolment. Enrol Now.
