How long does the Higher Diploma in Economic Development take to complete?

The Higher Diploma in Economic Development runs 15 to 18 months on rolling intake windows. Part-time paces are available on the Higher Diploma in Economic Development for working professionals.

Which delivery modes are available for the Higher Diploma in Economic Development?

The Higher Diploma in Economic Development is offered on-campus, fully online and by distance learning. Weekly seminars run in every mode of the Higher Diploma in Economic Development.

Is the Higher Diploma in Economic Development recognised in the UK?

Yes, the Higher Diploma in Economic Development is a UK Level 5 qualification with structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up. The Higher Diploma in Economic Development is aligned with Royal Economic Society standards.

What are the entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Economic Development?

A Level 4 Diploma, Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification is the standard route into the Higher Diploma in Economic Development. IELTS 6.0 is required for non-native English speakers applying to the Higher Diploma in Economic Development.

How much does the Higher Diploma in Economic Development cost and is funding available?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in Economic Development are published on the LSLPE fees page and can be paid by instalment. Employer sponsorship for the Higher Diploma in Economic Development can be discussed with admissions.

Higher Diploma in Economic Development | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Economic Development at LSLPE is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes, with structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in Economics. The programme sits at the intersection of applied macroeconomics, structural transformation and development policy, aligned with Royal Economic Society, ODI and Institute of Development Studies research standards, and is built for the technician-to-graduate articulation route.

By graduation you will have produced a country-level growth diagnostic, built a small-scale general-equilibrium model, drafted a policy brief on structural transformation, prepared a workplace capstone project against a live employer or donor question, and defended a Level 5 portfolio suitable for direct entry into a Bachelor's top-up.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Royal Economic Society and ODI research standards on economic development.
Modules on growth theory, structural transformation, poverty economics and industrial policy.
Case-room teaching on IFS, ODI and CIPFA work on public finance for development.
Workshops in growth diagnostics, results-frameworks and cost-benefit analysis.
Chatham House-aligned strand on political-economy analysis of development policy.
Named programme-tutor support with weekly seminars in all three modes.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up confirmed in writing at enrolment.

What You Will Learn

Read national accounts, balance-of-payments and fiscal data from low- and middle-income countries.
Build a structured growth diagnostic to a donor-ready standard.
Analyse industrial policy, sectoral strategy and export-diversification programmes.
Advise on public financial management arrangements for development spending.
Interpret political-economy analysis and stakeholder mapping.
Design a small-scale econometric or general-equilibrium exercise.
Draft a workplace-facing capstone project against a real-world question.
Present a technical analysis confidently in a workplace or committee setting.

Who This Course Is For

Programme officers, research assistants and civil-service candidates in development roles.
Analysts in donor departments moving into senior appraisal work.
Working professionals moving from paralegal, policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles into applied economic development.
International applicants planning a Bachelor's articulation in the UK.
Applicants targeting graduate-entry programmes at multilateral bodies.

Career Pathways

Development economist in an NGO or international agency.
Economic policy analyst in a development ministry or delivery body.
Research economist in a development-focused think tank.
Public finance analyst working on donor budget support.
Economic consultant with a development brief.
Labour market analyst on low-income country data.
Regulatory economist supporting infrastructure programmes.
Trade economist supporting Aid for Trade and trade-facilitation programmes.

The LSLPE careers service maintains introductions with ODI-adjacent think tanks, City-based development advisory practices and multilateral graduate-entry pathways.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in economics, policy or development.
GCSE English at grade 4/C and Mathematics at grade 4/C or equivalent.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
One academic or professional reference, ideally from a development or research supervisor.
Working professionals moving from paralegal, policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles are welcomed.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE is a specialist division of Harold International College of London reading law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines. Central London gives Higher Diploma students proximity to the ODI, IFS, FCDO, Chatham House and the LSE-adjacent development ecosystem.

Cohorts are small, tutor-visible and taught in the case-room and select-committee tradition. The LSLPE careers service runs at least one careers day each year and refreshes curriculum alignment annually against Royal Economic Society guidance.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Economic Development

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and admissions responds within one working day. Complete a Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate into a UK Bachelor's top-up in Economics, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now.