How long does the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics take?

The Certificate in Global Affairs Basics runs 3 to 6 months depending on mode. Full-time on-campus students on the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics typically finish in one term.

Is the course delivered online?

Yes. The Certificate in Global Affairs Basics is delivered on-campus in central London, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All three modes share the same syllabus and named programme tutor.

What are the entry requirements?

GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent is required, plus a 250-word personal statement. No prior study is expected for the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics. International applicants need IELTS 5.5 overall or equivalent.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics are published on the LSLPE fees page and vary by mode. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarships are supported by the admissions team.

Certificate in Global Affairs Basics | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Certificate in Global Affairs Basics is a UK Level 3 introductory qualification delivered over 3 to 6 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. Students begin with the states system, major international institutions, trade and security regimes, and the vocabulary of global affairs, aligned with Political Studies Association and Chatham House introductory themes and Institute of Development Studies aligned frameworks.

By graduation, students on the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics are drafting short country briefs, reading UN communiques, running structured seminar discussions on world events, and preparing a small capstone assignment suitable for progression into the Diploma in Global Affairs Studies.

Key Features

Introductory modules aligned with Political Studies Association and Chatham House introductory themes.
Case teaching around live UN General Assembly, G20 and WTO outputs.
Guest sessions from junior researchers at think tanks and NGO staff.
Formative assessment through country briefs and short seminar papers.
Named programme tutor with global-affairs background for every student on the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics.
Three parallel study modes so working entrants, career changers and international applicants can complete without pausing employment.

What You Will Learn

Map the states system, the UN, the G20 and major regional bodies.
Understand the vocabulary of diplomacy, trade and security.
Read UN and WTO documents at introductory level.
Draft short country briefs to structured format.
Handle the ethics of reading and reporting on international events.
Handle interdisciplinary reading across politics, law and economics.
Present a short brief on a live global-affairs question in seminar.
Handle the basics of open-source research for international topics.

Who This Course Is For

School leavers and mature applicants seeking a first UK qualification in global affairs.
Career changers moving from journalism, teaching or the military into international policy work.
International applicants preparing for UK political or PPE study.
Volunteers and campaigners with an international focus.
Working professionals seeking a grounded introduction to world affairs.

Career Pathways

Development Analyst trainee at an NGO or foundation.
Policy Adviser trainee at Whitehall or a think tank.
Think Tank Researcher assistant on international projects.
Programme Manager trainee at an international NGO.
Public Affairs Consultant trainee on international teams.
Progression candidate for LSLPE Diploma routes in politics, PPE or public affairs.

The LSLPE careers service works with every Certificate in Global Affairs Basics graduate on CVs, interview technique and applications to entry-level international-affairs roles across think tanks, NGOs and international bodies.

Entry Requirements

GCSE English at grade 4/C or equivalent; open access for mature applicants at admissions review.
No prior study of politics or international relations required. The Certificate in Global Affairs Basics 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 global affairs, diplomacy or international policy.
International applicants supported through visa, accommodation and English-language guidance from LSLPE admissions.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads global affairs as an interdisciplinary field where law, politics and economics operate together. Central London places Chatham House, the Institute for Government, Whitehall and international-body offices within a short tube ride of every classroom, and every intake shares the same weekly select-committee seminar structure in small tutor-visible cohorts.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working entrants and international applicants complete the Certificate in Global Affairs Basics without pausing employment, and the LSLPE careers service holds relationships with think tanks, NGOs and international-body offices recruiting entry-level talent each year.

Apply for Certificate in Global Affairs Basics

Rolling intakes across the year mean early applicants receive the widest choice of tutors and elective seminars. Start with a UK Level 3 Certificate at LSLPE and open your route into a Diploma in Global Affairs Studies or interdisciplinary PPE. Enrol Now.