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

The Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies runs 15 to 18 months. Working professionals on the distance route typically take the full 18 months, while intensive on-campus cohorts complete closer to 15.

Can I study the course online?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All routes include the same capstone requirement and named programme tutor.

Does the Higher Diploma articulate into a UK Bachelor's degree?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies articulates into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or international trade, with credit transfer confirmed in writing at enrolment.

What are the entry requirements?

You need a Level 4 Diploma or comparable qualification, plus GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C. International applicants for the Higher Diploma in Global Trade 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 Trade Studies vary by mode and are published on the LSLPE fees page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarship routes are handled by the admissions team on request.

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

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. The programme combines trade theory, applied trade policy, customs and tariff analysis, and the political economy of the multilateral trading system, with reference to Bank of England commentary on trade flows and the Royal Economic Society's applied-economics tradition.

By graduation, students on the Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies are producing extended trade-policy briefs, running comparative-advantage and gravity-model exercises on sample datasets, and completing a capstone project on a live UK export sector or post-Brexit trading arrangement.

Key Features

Articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or international trade, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.
Trade-policy seminars mapped to Government Economic Service competency areas and Royal Economic Society applied themes.
Capstone project on a UK export sector, developing-country trade partner or bilateral trade agreement.
Access to guest sessions from City trade economists and think-tank researchers aligned with Chatham House and the ODI.
Formative assessment through policy briefs, econometric exercises and moderated trade negotiation simulations.
Named programme tutor with practitioner background in trade or public finance for every student on the Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies.

What You Will Learn

Apply the Ricardian, Heckscher-Ohlin and gravity models to real trade flows.
Interpret tariff schedules, rules of origin and non-tariff measures across major trading blocs.
Analyse the World Trade Organization dispute-settlement architecture and the post-Brexit UK-EU framework.
Model the welfare effects of a bilateral trade agreement using simple partial-equilibrium tools.
Draft an evidence-based trade-policy brief for a UK department or trade association.
Read and critique impact assessments produced by the Department for Business and Trade.
Evaluate the trade implications of exchange-rate movements using published Bank of England data.
Present trade findings to a lay policy audience in written and oral form.

Who This Course Is For

Policy officers, civil servants and trade-association staff working in trade or industrial strategy.
Diploma graduates in economics, business or international relations seeking a graduate-level articulation.
Working professionals in logistics, freight, customs brokerage or export finance moving into policy.
International applicants preparing for UK graduate study or roles in ministries of trade.
Career changers moving from banking, consultancy or law into trade economics.

Career Pathways

Trade Economist in a UK government department, trade body or consultancy.
Economic Policy Analyst on export finance, tariffs or industrial strategy.
Public Finance Analyst in customs, revenue or regional development.
Research Economist for a Chatham House or ODI-aligned trade programme.
Investment Analyst with a country-risk or emerging-markets desk.
Development Economist on trade-and-poverty programmes with UK-funded partners.
Regulatory Economist reviewing tariff, sanctions and export-control policy.

The LSLPE careers service supports every Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies student with CV, interview and portfolio work targeted at trade departments, think tanks and City-based trade research desks.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in economics, business, trade or public policy.
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 trade, customs, export finance, freight or public administration roles are welcomed on the Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE sits within short reach of the Treasury, the Bank of England, the City and the Chatham House trade-research ecosystem, and reads global trade as a discipline that draws equally on economics, law and politics. Small cohort seminars are run in the select-committee style, with named programme-tutor support in every intake.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, serving civil servants and international applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies without stepping away from employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains standing relationships with departments, chambers of commerce and think tanks recruiting graduate trade talent every year.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies

Progressors seeking a credible graduate-level UK qualification in trade economics can complete the Higher Diploma in Global Trade Studies at LSLPE and articulate into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline. Credit transfer is confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now.