Higher Diploma in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Course Overview
The Higher Diploma in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences is a UK Level 5 qualification running fifteen to eighteen months, calibrated for progressors who want to bring the working methods of law, politics, economics and sociology to bear on real policy problems. 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 PPE or a comparable interdisciplinary degree.
By capstone stage you will be running applied interdisciplinary case work, drafting a mixed-methods research brief, and defending a substantial applied capstone in front of a panel drawn from policy practitioners, academic researchers and think-tank analysts.
Key Features
- Curriculum aligned with Political Studies Association (PSA), Royal Economic Society (RES) and Institute of Development Studies (IDS)-informed themes.
- Applied mixed-methods research including qualitative comparative analysis and applied econometrics.
- Case work drawn from ODI, Chatham House and IFS working papers.
- Weekly seminars in the case-room and select-committee tradition with named tutor support.
- Capstone supervised by a practising interdisciplinary researcher.
- Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up with credit transfer confirmed in writing.
What You Will Learn
- How to combine legal, political, economic and sociological methods on a single problem.
- Applied research design across qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches.
- Applied comparative case-study design and structured focused comparison.
- Applied econometrics at introductory-to-intermediate depth.
- Applied qualitative interviewing, coding and thematic analysis.
- The applied ethics of social-science research and data handling.
- How to structure an interdisciplinary policy brief around a defined problem.
- How to defend a mixed-methods argument in seminar and committee.
Who This Course Is For
- Diploma-holders in politics, economics, law or sociology progressing toward a UK Bachelor's top-up.
- Working professionals in policy, NGO or research organisations.
- Journalists and analysts building formal social-science methods credentials.
- International applicants targeting UK PPE and interdisciplinary careers.
- Public-sector staff moving into evaluation and evidence roles.
Career Pathways
- Think Tank Researcher on an interdisciplinary brief
- Development Analyst at an ODI-adjacent organisation
- Public Sector Consultant supporting evaluation mandates
- Policy Adviser in a Whitehall or think-tank team
- Programme Manager on a research-heavy programme
- Civic Innovation Analyst in a public-body or foundation
- NGO Programme Officer on an evidence-heavy country programme
The LSLPE careers service supports Higher Diploma students with research application coaching and warm introductions to think-tank and public-sector 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 research assistant, analyst or public administration roles are especially welcomed.
Why Study at LSLPE
The London School of Law, Politics and Economics teaches interdisciplinary social sciences in small, tutor-visible cohorts that read law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines. Central London places the IFS, ODI, Chatham House, the LSE-adjacent research community and Whitehall within a short tube ride, which matters for a course whose seminar guests come out of those rooms.
The LSLPE careers service refreshes curriculum alignment each year against PSA, RES and IDS-informed guidance.
Apply for Higher Diploma in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Applications for the Higher Diploma in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences 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
