How long is the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy?

The Higher Diploma in Economic Policy runs for fifteen to eighteen months across all study modes. On-campus students typically finish the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy slightly faster than online or distance progressors.

In what modes can I study the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy?

The Higher Diploma in Economic Policy is delivered on-campus in central London, live online, and by distance learning. All three modes of the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy share the same seminar and capstone structure.

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

Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy need a relevant Diploma or comparable qualification, GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, IELTS 6.0 for non-native speakers, and one reference.

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

Tuition for the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy is confirmed in your written offer. Fee-in-instalment plans and employer-sponsorship letters are supported across all three study modes.

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

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Economic Policy is a UK Level 5 qualification running fifteen to eighteen months, calibrated for progressors targeting Treasury, Government Economic Service (GES) and think-tank policy work. Delivered on-campus, online and by distance learning, the programme is a technician-to-graduate articulation route with confirmed credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or public policy.

By dissertation stage you will be drafting Green Book-style appraisals, running impact-evaluation designs on live policy questions, and defending a capstone analysis in front of a panel drawn from IFS-adjacent researchers, Treasury alumni and consultancy practitioners.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Royal Economic Society (RES), Government Economic Service (GES) and Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)-informed themes.
Applied appraisal exercises using HM Treasury Green Book formats.
Impact-evaluation modules drawing on Overseas Development Institute (ODI) methods.
Weekly seminars in the case-room tradition with named programme-tutor support.
Capstone project supervised by a practising policy economist.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up with credit transfer confirmed in writing.

What You Will Learn

The core micro and macro foundations underpinning modern policy work.
Applied Green Book appraisal including social value and distributional weighting.
Impact-evaluation design across RCT, difference-in-differences and synthetic-control methods.
Applied cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis for public spending decisions.
How the Treasury, OBR and departmental economists interact in a Spending Review.
Public finance analysis of tax design, welfare reform and inter-generational impact.
Applied trade and industrial policy including subsidy design and competition interaction.
How to write an economic policy note that a Chief Economist or a minister will actually use.

Who This Course Is For

Diploma-holders in economics or policy progressing toward a UK Bachelor's top-up.
Working professionals in government, regulators or consultancy moving into policy design.
Analysts in think tanks and research institutes broadening their formal appraisal base.
International applicants targeting UK public policy careers.
NGO and charity staff moving into evidence-led programme design.

Career Pathways

Government Economist on a Government Economic Service track
Economic Policy Analyst in a think tank or research institute
Public Finance Analyst in a Treasury-facing or CIPFA-aligned role
Research Economist at the IFS, NIESR or a departmental economist team
Economic Consultant supporting public-sector clients
Development Economist in an ODI-adjacent programme team
Regulatory Economist supporting impact assessments

The LSLPE careers service supports Higher Diploma students with policy-writing clinics, application coaching for the GES and warm introductions to think-tank recruiters.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma in economics, or a comparable qualification.
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 policy, economics or public-sector context.
Working professionals moving from policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles are especially welcomed.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches economic policy as an argued applied discipline in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Central London places the Treasury, the IFS, NIESR, the Bank of England and Chatham House within a short tube ride, which matters for a course whose seminar guests and applied briefings are drawn from those institutions.

The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against Royal Economic Society and Government Economic Service-informed guidance, and admissions responds to Higher Diploma applications within one working day.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Economic Policy

Applications for the Higher Diploma in Economic Policy are reviewed on a rolling basis. Complete a Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now