How long is the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies?

The Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies runs for fifteen to eighteen months across all study modes. On-campus students often complete the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies slightly faster than online or distance progressors.

In what modes can I study the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies?

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

Is the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies UK-recognised?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification aligned with ODI and IDS-informed themes, with confirmed credit transfer into a UK Bachelor's top-up.

What are the entry requirements for the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies?

Applicants to the Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies 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 Global Development Studies cost and is funding available?

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

Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification running fifteen to eighteen months, calibrated for progressors targeting programme, policy and analytical work in international development. Delivered on-campus, online and by distance learning, the programme reads development in the ODI and Institute of Development Studies (IDS) tradition, treating it as a practitioner discipline rather than a purely theoretical one.

By capstone stage you will be designing programme theories of change, running impact-evaluation logic on a live development question, and defending a substantial applied brief in front of a panel drawn from ODI-adjacent researchers and international NGO practitioners.

Key Features

Curriculum aligned with Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and Chatham House-informed themes.
Applied theory-of-change and log-frame exercises used in real programme design.
Impact-evaluation modules informed by contemporary randomised and quasi-experimental practice.
Weekly seminars in the case-room tradition with named programme-tutor support.
Capstone supervised by a practising development analyst or programme lead.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up with credit transfer confirmed in writing.

What You Will Learn

The historical and political economy of development from Bretton Woods to the SDGs.
Comparative development strategies across East Asian, African and Latin American contexts.
Applied theory-of-change and results-framework design for programme work.
Impact-evaluation logic including RCT, DiD and process-tracing approaches.
How multilateral donors, bilateral agencies and NGOs actually operate together.
The political economy of aid, debt, remittances and diaspora finance.
Applied programme finance, procurement and value-for-money analysis.
How to write a programme design note that a country office or donor will actually use.

Who This Course Is For

Diploma-holders in politics, economics or development progressing toward a UK Bachelor's top-up.
Working professionals in NGOs, foundations and country programmes.
Analysts in development consultancies moving into design work.
International applicants targeting UK international-development careers.
Public-sector staff moving into development-cooperation briefs.

Career Pathways

Development Analyst on a country-programme team
International Development Officer in an NGO or foundation
Programme Manager on a multilateral programme
Think Tank Researcher at an ODI- or IDS-adjacent institute
Policy Adviser on a development-cooperation brief
NGO Programme Officer in a country office
Public Sector Consultant advising on development mandates

The LSLPE careers service supports Higher Diploma students with development-sector application coaching and warm introductions to programme recruiters.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or 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.
Working professionals moving from programme officer, research assistant or field-office roles are especially welcomed.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches global development as an applied practitioner discipline in small, tutor-visible cohorts. Central London places ODI, Chatham House, the FCDO and the LSE-adjacent think-tank corridor within a short tube ride, which matters for a course whose seminar guests and applied briefings sit inside that ecosystem.

The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against ODI, IDS and Chatham House-informed guidance.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Global Development Studies

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