How long does the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs take?

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs runs 15 to 18 months on-campus, online or by distance learning. Every mode of the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs shares the same weekly seminar timetable.

How is the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs delivered?

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs is taught on-campus in central London, online in live seminars, or by distance learning with recorded seminars and one-to-one tutorial support.

Is the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs recognised in the UK?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs is a UK Level 5 award aligned with Chatham House, ODI and PSA coverage, and articulates into a UK Bachelor's top-up.

What are the entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs?

A relevant Diploma or Advanced Diploma (Level 4 or 5), GCSE English and Maths at 4/C, and IELTS 6.0 for non-native English speakers, are required for the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs.

What are the fees and funding options for the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs vary by mode and intake. LSLPE admissions publishes the current schedule and can arrange instalment options.

Higher Diploma in Global Affairs | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs at LSLPE is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. Global affairs sits at the intersection of politics, economics, international law and development, and this Higher Diploma reads it that way, drawing on Chatham House programme work, ODI development analysis and Institute for Government (IfG) framing of how the UK operates internationally.

By graduation you are producing integrated global-affairs briefings that pull together political, economic and legal analysis, running scenario exercises on live international questions, and completing a capstone project on an integration theme you propose.

Key Features

Themes aligned with Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and Overseas Development Institute (ODI) programme areas.
Content aligned with Political Studies Association (PSA) and Institute of Development Studies (IDS) coverage.
Public finance framing drawing on Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) themes.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in global affairs, PPE or international relations, credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.
Seminars run in the case-room and select-committee tradition.
Distance and online cohorts follow the same weekly seminar timetable as on-campus students.

What You Will Learn

Integrated global affairs analysis across politics, economics and international law.
Country and region briefing to a departmental standard.
Scenario and risk analysis for corporate and public-sector clients.
Multilateral architecture: UN, World Bank, IMF, WTO, regional blocs.
Public finance framing for international programmes.
Comparative global affairs across major powers and emerging economies.
Programme evaluation frameworks used by ODI and IDS-aligned teams.
Capstone research design and defence.

Who This Course Is For

Policy officers and analysts moving into a senior graduate-level global affairs role.
Diploma and Advanced Diploma holders taking the articulation route into a UK Bachelor's top-up.
International applicants seeking a UK Level 5 award before undergraduate study.
Working professionals in NGOs, consultancies and multilaterals who want a formal credential.
Career changers moving from journalism, corporate international affairs or defence.

Career Pathways

Global Affairs Analyst in a think tank
Public Affairs Consultant on international briefs
Development Analyst in a multilateral
International Development Officer
Programme Manager in an international NGO
Political Analyst on a country desk
Public Sector Consultant with a global remit
Strategy Adviser on international programmes

The LSLPE careers service maintains standing relationships with Chatham House, ODI-adjacent teams, international NGOs and consultancies for Higher Diploma graduates progressing into work or the Bachelor's top-up.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in politics, international relations, PPE, development or a cognate discipline.
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.
Working professionals moving from paralegal, policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles are welcomed.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE teaches global affairs from central London, within a short tube ride of Chatham House, ODI, the FCDO, Parliament and the LSE-adjacent think-tank cluster. That geography turns the syllabus into something concrete: programme reports, ministerial statements and multilateral briefings are drawn from bodies operating around the corner.

Every intake, on-campus or remote, joins the same weekly seminar structure with named programme-tutor support. Three parallel study modes let progressors, working professionals and portfolio-route applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs without leaving employment.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Global Affairs

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs is a rigorous interdisciplinary UK Level 5 route, with clean articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up. Complete a Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline. Enrol Now