How long is the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies at LSLPE?

The Diploma in Policy and Development Studies runs 9 to 12 months at LSLPE across on-campus, online and distance routes. Working students typically complete on the 12-month schedule.

How is the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies delivered?

The Diploma in Policy and Development Studies is delivered on-campus in central London, live online and by structured distance learning. All three modes share the same seminar and briefing-workshop calendar.

Is the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies recognised in the UK?

The Diploma in Policy and Development Studies is a UK Level 4 qualification aligned with ODI, IDS, IfG and CIPFA publication conventions and articulates cleanly into LSLPE Advanced Diploma and Higher Diploma routes.

What are the entry requirements for the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies?

A Level 3 qualification or LSLPE Certificate, GCSE English and Maths at 4/C, IELTS 5.5 for non-native speakers, and a short statement of progression aims. Policy or NGO experience strengthens your application to the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies.

What does the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies cost and is funding available?

Fees for the Diploma in Policy and Development Studies are published on the LSLPE fees page and admissions publishes staged payment plans and international-scholarship windows. Ask admissions for a costed offer.

Diploma in Policy & Development Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Policy and Development Studies at LSLPE is a UK Level 4 practitioner foundation running 9 to 12 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. The syllabus reads UK public policy and international development as one working craft: theories of change, logframes, cost-benefit appraisal, participatory design and evaluation are taught inside seminars that draw on Chatham House, Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Institute for Government (IfG) publications.

By graduation you will be writing structured policy briefs, drafting theories of change, running short cost-benefit and value-for-money appraisals, designing an M&E framework, and preparing a working portfolio of applied documents ready for use in an NGO, government or think-tank role.

Key Features

UK Level 4 Diploma with articulation into LSLPE Advanced Diploma and Higher Diploma routes.
Reading list aligned with ODI, IDS and IfG publication conventions and with CIPFA public-finance frameworks.
Weekly seminars structured around live UK and international policy questions.
Applied assignments in briefing-note, theory-of-change and M&E-plan format.
Optional strands in social policy, international development, and public finance.
Tutor supervision on a small final portfolio project.

What You Will Learn

Read UK Green Book and international HM Treasury cost-benefit conventions.
Draft a working theory of change and results framework.
Design a monitoring and evaluation plan for a bounded programme.
Compare Whitehall, multilateral and NGO policy-cycle conventions.
Write a Whitehall-standard policy brief in under 750 words.
Use participatory research and stakeholder mapping.
Interpret basic public-finance and value-for-money data.
Present findings to a mixed public-sector audience.

Who This Course Is For

Junior policy officers in central or local government.
NGO programme staff moving into policy or evaluation work.
Career-changers entering public policy from a research or teaching background.
International applicants working in development ministries or multilaterals.
Graduates preparing to progress to a Level 5 policy Advanced Diploma.

Career Pathways

Policy Adviser
Development Analyst
Programme Manager
Public Sector Consultant
NGO Programme Officer
Public Affairs Consultant
Think Tank Researcher
International Development Officer

The LSLPE careers service connects Diploma in Policy and Development Studies finalists with Whitehall policy teams, ODI and Chatham House-adjacent research programmes, and NGO recruitment cycles.

Entry Requirements

A Level 3 qualification (A-levels, BTEC, Access to HE) or equivalent, OR a relevant Certificate at LSLPE.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C or equivalent.
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers, or equivalent.
A personal statement outlining your progression aims in policy or development.
Applicants with policy, NGO or research experience are encouraged to reference it at application.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE teaches public policy inside a school where the legal drafting, political argument and economic constraint on any policy question can be examined side-by-side. The Diploma in Policy and Development Studies is delivered in small tutor-visible cohorts by staff with Whitehall, think-tank or NGO experience.

Central London puts the Treasury, ODI, IfG, Chatham House and the leading NGO head offices within walking distance of every seminar. Three parallel study modes allow working practitioners to complete the Diploma without leaving employment, and the careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against CIPFA and PSA guidance.

Apply for Diploma in Policy and Development Studies

Places are offered across three intake windows per year. Step up to a UK Level 4 Diploma at LSLPE, three intake windows a year, admissions responds within one working day. Enrol Now.