How long does the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics take?

The Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics runs 12 to 15 months on-campus, online or by distance learning. Every mode of the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics shares the same weekly seminar timetable.

How is the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics delivered?

The Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics is taught on-campus in central London, online in live seminars, or by distance learning, with the same tutor contact across all modes.

Is the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics recognised in the UK?

Yes. The Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics is a UK Level 5 senior-track award aligned with Royal Economic Society and Government Economic Service themes, and carries credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up.

What are the entry requirements for the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics?

A relevant Diploma or two years of professional experience, GCSE English and Maths at 4/C, and IELTS 6.0 for non-native English speakers, are required for the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics.

What are the fees and funding options for the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics?

Fees for the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics vary by mode and intake. LSLPE admissions publishes the current schedule and can arrange instalment options and employer sponsorship.

Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics at LSLPE is a UK Level 5 senior-track qualification running 12 to 15 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. Content is calibrated to the way Government Economic Service teams, HM Treasury policy leads and IFS researchers actually build a case for or against a policy proposal, taking in cost-benefit analysis, distributional impact, econometric identification and Whitehall-style briefing.

By graduation you are producing structured policy briefings, running cost-benefit and distributional analysis on real questions, presenting econometric evidence to a policy audience, and completing a senior-track project on a policy question of your own choosing.

Key Features

Content aligned with Royal Economic Society (RES) and Society of Professional Economists (SPE) senior-track expectations.
Themes aligned with the Government Economic Service (GES) senior progression route.
Cases drawn from Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) and NIESR applied policy work.
Public finance framing drawing on Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) themes.
Credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or public policy, confirmed in writing at enrolment.
Distance and online cohorts follow the same weekly seminar timetable as on-campus students.

What You Will Learn

Cost-benefit analysis to Green Book standard.
Distributional impact analysis and equity trade-offs.
Fiscal cost analysis in a Spending Review framework.
Applied econometric identification for policy questions.
Whitehall-style policy briefing and submission drafting.
Programme evaluation frameworks used in central government.
Comparative policy economics across OECD peers.
Senior project research design and defence.

Who This Course Is For

Policy officers, analysts and researchers moving into senior policy economics roles.
Diploma holders taking the senior-track progression route.
International applicants seeking a UK Level 5 senior credential in policy economics.
Working professionals in central government, think tanks and consultancies who want a formal credential.
Applicants with a case-work or policy-brief portfolio moving onto a senior track.

Career Pathways

Senior Economic Policy Analyst
Public Finance Analyst in a CIPFA-aligned setting
Regulatory Economist at a UK regulator
Economic Consultant in a specialist firm
Research Economist at an IFS-aligned team
Labour Market Analyst in a policy directorate
Development Economist in a multilateral
Behavioural Economist on a policy team

The LSLPE careers service links Advanced Diploma students to senior-entry roles across the Government Economic Service, CIPFA-aligned bodies, City-side policy consultancies and think tanks, and refreshes content annually against Royal Economic Society guidance.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Foundation Year, or at least two years of relevant professional experience in economics, public policy or public finance.
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 case-work, policy-brief or research portfolios are encouraged to include them.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE teaches policy economics from central London, within a short tube ride of the Treasury, the Bank of England, IFS-adjacent research teams and the LSE-adjacent think-tank ecosystem. That geography is why Advanced Diploma case work draws on live UK policy debates rather than textbook toy examples.

Every intake, on-campus or remote, joins the same weekly seminar structure with named programme-tutor support, run in the case-room tradition. Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics without leaving employment.

Apply for Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics

The Advanced Diploma in Policy Economics is a rigorous UK Level 5 senior-track credential with clean credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up. Enrol on a UK Level 5 Advanced Diploma at LSLPE — credit transfer into Bachelor top-ups confirmed in writing at enrolment. Enrol Now