How long is the BA in Public Policy and Governance?

The BA in Public Policy and Governance is a three-year full-time UK honours degree. Part-time and accelerated pathways for the BA in Public Policy and Governance are also available, and all include a year-two placement.

In what modes can I study the BA in Public Policy and Governance?

The BA in Public Policy and Governance is delivered on-campus in central London, live online, and by distance learning. All three modes of the BA in Public Policy and Governance share the same seminar and placement structure.

Is the BA in Public Policy and Governance UK-recognised?

Yes. The BA in Public Policy and Governance is a UK Level 6 honours degree aligned with Political Studies Association and Institute for Government-informed themes, with a placement year in Whitehall, think tanks or NGOs.

What are the entry requirements for the BA in Public Policy and Governance?

Applicants to the BA in Public Policy and Governance need A-levels at BBB or above, or an equivalent Access route, plus GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, IELTS 6.5 for non-native speakers, and two references.

How much does the BA in Public Policy and Governance cost and is funding available?

Tuition for the BA in Public Policy and Governance is confirmed in your written offer. Fee-in-instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarship guidance are supported by LSLPE admissions.

BA in Public Policy and Governance | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The BA in Public Policy and Governance is a three-year UK Level 6 honours degree with part-time and accelerated routes, calibrated to the applied policy work practised across Whitehall, think tanks, regulators and international bodies. Foundational modules in policy analysis, governance and applied economics sit alongside optional specialisms in health, education, environment and public finance, and the degree includes a year-two placement in a government department, think tank or NGO.

By graduation you will be running your own options analyses, drafting ministerial submissions and Green Book-style appraisals, and defending an original dissertation on a live public policy question in front of a panel drawn from policy and research practice.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Political Studies Association (PSA), Institute for Government (IfG) and CIPFA-informed themes.
Applied appraisal and evaluation exercises modelled on HM Treasury Green Book formats.
Year-two placement in a government department, think tank, regulator or NGO.
Weekly seminars in the case-room and select-committee tradition with named tutor support.
Final-year capstone or dissertation supervised by practising policy advisers.
Central London base within reach of Whitehall, Parliament and think-tank row.

What You Will Learn

The full policy cycle from problem definition through implementation to evaluation.
How to structure an options analysis with distributional and fiscal weighting.
The mechanics of a Whitehall submission, a select-committee briefing and a ministerial red-box note.
Applied evidence standards including counterfactuals, impact evaluation and value-for-money analysis.
Comparative governance across UK, EU and OECD models.
The public finance and CIPFA-aligned mechanics of local and central government spending.
How regulatory bodies, arms-length bodies and Whitehall departments actually interact.
How to defend a policy recommendation in a select-committee-style panel.

Who This Course Is For

School-leavers and career changers targeting public policy and governance careers.
Working professionals in public-facing roles moving toward formal policy qualification.
Charity and NGO staff building an analytical honours base.
International applicants planning a UK public-policy degree with a placement.
Applicants intending Master's-level policy research.

Career Pathways

Policy Adviser in a Whitehall department
Public Affairs Consultant in a government-relations firm
Think Tank Researcher on a policy brief
Programme Manager in an NGO or foundation
Government Affairs Manager in a corporate team
Political Analyst on a consultancy or media desk
Public Sector Consultant supporting reform mandates

The LSLPE careers service supports Bachelor's students with placement matching, Civil Service Fast Stream application clinics and warm introductions to think-tank and consultancy recruiters.

Entry Requirements

A-levels (or equivalent) at BBB or above, OR a UK Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C (or equivalent).
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Two academic references and a personal statement setting out your interest in public policy.
International applicants receive dedicated visa and accommodation support from LSLPE admissions.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches public policy as an applied written discipline in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Central London places Whitehall, Parliament, Chatham House, the IFS and the LSE-adjacent think-tank corridor within a short tube ride, which matters for a degree whose seminar guests and placement partners live inside that corridor.

The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against Political Studies Association, Institute for Government and CIPFA-informed guidance.

Apply for BA in Public Policy and Governance

Applications for the BA in Public Policy and Governance are reviewed on a rolling basis, and admissions responds within one working day. Apply for the LSLPE Bachelor's programme with a placement year in Whitehall or a think tank included. Enrol Now