Diploma in Policy Economics
Course Overview
The Diploma in Policy Economics at LSLPE is a UK Level 4 practitioner-foundation qualification running 9 to 12 months across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes. The programme is aligned with Royal Economic Society applied training standards, Government Economic Service entry competencies, Institute for Fiscal Studies methodology and Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy standards on public sector economics. It provides a working entry point for policy analysts, civil servants and consultants using economics on policy problems.
By graduation you will have produced a cost-benefit appraisal under HM Treasury Green Book methods, drafted a nudge-based intervention brief, run a distributional analysis of a tax change and completed a case study on a real UK policy question.
Key Features
- Curriculum aligned with Royal Economic Society applied training standards, GES entry competencies and CIPFA public sector economics standards.
- HM Treasury Green Book style appraisal workshops.
- Case-room seminars using IFS Green Budget summaries and Institute for Government analyses.
- Introduction to Stata and Excel for policy modelling.
- Named programme-tutor support across all three study modes.
- Articulation into LSLPE Advanced Diploma and Higher Diploma routes.
What You Will Learn
- Welfare economics and normative policy analysis.
- Cost-benefit analysis and social discount rates.
- Public goods, externalities and market failure diagnosis.
- Distributional analysis and incidence of tax and transfer policies.
- Behavioural economics and nudge design under the Behavioural Insights Team model.
- Regulatory economics and the Better Regulation Framework.
- Public sector budgeting and DEL/AME structures.
- Policy evaluation methods including RCTs and quasi-experimental designs.
Who This Course Is For
- Junior policy analysts and civil servants.
- Third sector staff producing evidence-based policy proposals.
- Working practitioners in local authorities and regulators.
- Aspiring GES candidates preparing for entry level.
- International applicants studying UK policy economics.
Career Pathways
- Economic Policy Analyst
- Public Finance Analyst
- Government Economist entry role
- Regulatory Economist
- Research Economist
- Behavioural Economist support role
- Economic Consultant
- Development Economist support role
The LSLPE careers service holds at least one careers day each academic year connecting Diploma in Policy Economics students with employers across the Government Economic Service, IFS-adjacent think tanks, regulators and small policy consultancies.
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 progression aims in policy economics.
- Applicants with relevant policy or research experience are encouraged to reference it at application.
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 HM Treasury, the Institute for Government and the Behavioural Insights Team's central London base. The Diploma in Policy Economics is grounded in the Green Book, the impact assessments and the What Works evidence the country actually uses.
Three parallel study modes let progressors, working practitioners and portfolio-route applicants complete the Diploma without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum annually against Royal Economic Society and IFS guidance.
Apply for Diploma in Policy Economics
Applications for the Diploma in Policy Economics open with rolling intakes and admissions responds within one working day. Step up to a UK Level 4 Diploma at LSLPE with three intake windows a year, and take a credentialed UK step into policy economics. Enrol Now
