How long is the Certificate in Economic Research Skills at LSLPE?

The Certificate in Economic Research Skills runs 3 to 6 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. All three modes complete the same writing exercises for the Certificate in Economic Research Skills.

How is the Certificate in Economic Research Skills delivered?

The Certificate in Economic Research Skills is delivered on-campus in London, online and by distance learning. Every mode uses guided data exercises, seminars and short briefs.

Is the Certificate in Economic Research Skills UK-recognised?

Yes, the Certificate in Economic Research Skills is a UK Level 3 introductory award aligned with Royal Economic Society accessible-economics guidance and GES entry competencies on evidence.

What are the entry requirements for the Certificate in Economic Research Skills?

The Certificate in Economic Research Skills is open access for mature applicants and requires GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent. No prior study of economics is required.

What does the Certificate in Economic Research Skills cost and is funding available?

The Certificate in Economic Research Skills is quoted on the LSLPE fees page with staged payment plans and employer sponsorship documentation. Admissions issues a personalised funding letter on request.

Certificate in Economic Research Skills | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Economic Research Skills at LSLPE is a UK Level 3 introductory qualification running 3 to 6 months across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes. The programme is aligned with Royal Economic Society accessible-economics guidance, Government Economic Service entry competencies on evidence and Institute for Fiscal Studies practice on public-facing analysis. It is a first-entry route for those who want to research and write about economics competently.

By graduation you will have produced a short annotated bibliography, written a 500-word explainer on a live economic issue, extracted data from ONS and OECD sources and completed an awareness case study on how economic evidence is used in Whitehall.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Royal Economic Society accessible-economics guidance and GES entry competencies on evidence.
Case-room seminars using ONS releases, OECD statistics and IFS Green Budget summaries.
Guided writing workshops on turning data into readable briefs.
Named programme-tutor support across all three study modes.
Introduction to Excel, pivot tables and simple regression tools.
Articulation into LSLPE Diploma routes across economics.

What You Will Learn

How to source data from ONS, HMRC, OECD and IMF portals.
Basic descriptive statistics and the reading of index numbers.
How to read an academic working paper without a maths background.
Referencing and citation for economic writing.
Writing short briefs and one-pagers for non-specialist audiences.
Awareness of economic modelling categories including CGE and macro-econometric models.
Ethical use of evidence and identification of common data errors.
The structure and workflow of a UK think tank or GES research team.

Who This Course Is For

New entrants and career changers exploring economics research.
Journalists and communicators seeking data-fluency.
Public sector staff needing to read and produce evidence.
Aspiring policy analysts preparing for Diploma-level study.
International applicants preparing for UK economics-facing roles.

Career Pathways

Research Economist support role
Economic Policy Analyst support role
Public Finance Analyst entry position
Government Economist support role at graduate scheme entry
Investment Analyst support role
Economic Consultant support role
Research assistant to a Behavioural Economist
Central Bank Analyst support role

The LSLPE careers service holds at least one careers day each academic year connecting Certificate in Economic Research Skills students with employers across the Government Economic Service, IFS-adjacent think tanks and small research consultancies.

Entry Requirements

GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent; open access for mature applicants at admissions review.
No prior study of economics required, the Certificate in Economic Research Skills is designed as a first-entry route.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers, or equivalent.
A short personal statement of 250 words describing your interest in economic research.
International applicants supported through visa, accommodation and English-language guidance.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE is the specialist law, politics and economics division of Harold International College of London, teaching in small tutor-visible cohorts within a short tube ride of the Office for National Statistics offices, HM Treasury and the IFS-adjacent think tanks that produce the country's Budget-day evidence base. The Certificate in Economic Research Skills teaches its subject through the actual documents and datasets.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the Certificate without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum annually against Royal Economic Society and GES guidance.

Apply for Certificate in Economic Research Skills

Applications for the Certificate in Economic Research Skills open with rolling intakes. Start with a UK Level 3 Certificate at LSLPE with rolling intakes, early applications receive the widest choice of tutors and elective modules, and take a credentialed UK step into economic research literacy. Enrol Now