How long does the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies take?

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies runs 15 to 18 months. Working professionals on distance mode usually take the full 18 months on the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies.

Is the course available online?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes share the same capstone requirement.

Does the Higher Diploma articulate into a Bachelor's?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies articulates into a UK Bachelor's top-up in international relations or politics, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a Level 4 Diploma or comparable qualification, plus GCSE English and Maths at 4/C. International applicants on the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies need IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarships are supported by the admissions team.

Higher Dip in Global Affairs Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. Students work through international relations theory, geopolitical risk analysis, multilateral institutions, and the political economy of global affairs, with reference to Chatham House, IISS, British International Studies Association and Political Studies Association themes.

By graduation, students on the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies are producing extended country and regional briefs, scenario-planning documents, foreign-policy option memos, and completing a capstone project on a live global-affairs question aligned with UK foreign-policy priorities.

Key Features

Articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in international relations or politics, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.
Modules mapped to British International Studies Association, Political Studies Association and Chatham House aligned themes.
Access to guest sessions from Whitehall foreign-policy officers, think-tank researchers and diplomatic-academy alumni.
Capstone project on a live geopolitical question in the UK's foreign-policy space.
Named programme tutor with international-affairs background for every student on the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies.
Case teaching on major recent international crises, G7 outcomes and UN documents.

What You Will Learn

Apply realist, liberal, constructivist and English-School frameworks to state behaviour.
Analyse geopolitical risk using open-source intelligence and scenario methods.
Model the machinery of UK foreign policy across the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Draft foreign-policy option memos to Whitehall style.
Assess sanctions, trade and defence commitments in strategic terms.
Read and critique speeches and communiques from major summits.
Present a regional risk brief to policy-audience standard.
Handle ethics of global-affairs research and reporting.

Who This Course Is For

Diploma graduates in international relations, politics or history seeking a graduate-level articulation.
Working professionals in policy, NGO, communications or defence-industry roles.
Researchers moving between think tanks, journalism and government.
International applicants preparing for foreign-service exams or UK graduate study.
Career changers from consulting, finance or the military into international policy work.

Career Pathways

International Relations Analyst in a policy consultancy or research house.
Foreign Policy Adviser in Whitehall or a think tank.
Political Analyst on regional teams at NGOs or international bodies.
Strategic Intelligence Analyst on an open-source or defence-facing team.
Diplomat trainee preparing for foreign-service exams.
Public Affairs Officer on international policy communications.
Defence Policy Analyst on a UK think-tank or industry team.

The LSLPE careers service supports every Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies student on applications into Whitehall, think tanks and international bodies at graduate level.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in international relations, politics or history.
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 on the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads global affairs alongside law and economics, recognising that international trade, sanctions and diplomacy operate together. Central London places Chatham House, IISS, Whitehall and the diplomatic-academy ecosystem within a short tube ride of every classroom, and every intake shares the same weekly select-committee seminar structure in small tutor-visible cohorts.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working analysts and international applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies without pausing employment, and the LSLPE careers service holds standing relationships with think tanks, Whitehall and international bodies recruiting graduate international-affairs talent every year.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Global Affairs Studies

Progressors seeking a graduate-level UK qualification in global affairs can complete the Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate cleanly into a Bachelor's top-up in international relations or politics. Credit transfer is confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now.