Can I take the Higher Diploma online?

Yes. The Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies runs on-campus, live online and by distance learning, with a shared seminar plan and named tutor across all three modes.

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

Yes. The Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies is a UK Level 5 credential articulating into a Bachelor's top-up in a cognate discipline, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.

What are the entry requirements?

A relevant Diploma or Advanced Diploma, GCSE English and Maths at grade 4/C, IELTS 6.0, and one reference. Working policy officers are welcomed.

What are the fees and funding options?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies are published on the LSLPE admissions page. Instalment plans, employer sponsorship and international scholarships are available.

Higher Dip Int'l Governance & Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification of 15 to 18 months articulating into a UK Bachelor's top-up. The programme sits inside LSLPE's PPE tradition and is aligned with the applied competencies referenced by the Political Studies Association, the British International Studies Association, the ODI development research programme and the Chatham House and Institute for Government agendas.

By graduation you will have produced a comparative governance study reading across law, politics and economics, prepared a multilateral analytics note, drafted policy briefs on live global governance reform, and completed a workplace capstone project in a government department, NGO, think tank or international body.

Key Features

Aligned with PSA, BISA, ODI and Chatham House interdisciplinary research programmes.
Structured integration of legal, political and economic analytical frames.
Multilateral analytics note drafting in the format used by senior analysts.
Practitioner briefings from UN, FCDO, ODI and think tank alumni.
Three parallel study modes: on-campus, live online and distance.
Structured articulation into UK Bachelor's top-ups.
Workplace capstone in an interdisciplinary governance setting.

What You Will Learn

Read a governance challenge across law, politics and economics simultaneously.
Analyse the UN, Bretton Woods, regional and Commonwealth systems.
Draft a multilateral analytics note for a senior audience.
Evaluate global governance reform proposals using PPE lenses.
Interpret cross-national governance and development datasets.
Design a delivery plan for an interdisciplinary reform programme.
Present findings in the select-committee seminar tradition.
Deliver a capstone report to graduate practitioner standard.

Who This Course Is For

Diploma or Advanced Diploma holders in politics, IR, economics or PPE.
Working policy officers and NGO staff on cross-cutting global files.
Junior desk officers and multilateral programme staff.
International applicants seeking a UK articulation into a Bachelor's top-up.
Career changers building an interdisciplinary governance base.

Career Pathways

Policy Adviser in a government department.
Political Analyst in a think tank.
International Development Officer in a bilateral agency.
Public Sector Consultant on interdisciplinary files.
Programme Manager in a global NGO.
Global Affairs Analyst in a corporate function.
Public Leadership Fellow in a devolved administration.
NGO Programme Officer in a rights or development team.

The LSLPE careers service maintains introductions to Whitehall, think tanks, NGOs and multilateral programmes.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in politics, IR, economics or PPE.
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 policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles are welcomed.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads law, politics and economics as three interlocking disciplines and treats the Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies as the applied PPE meeting point at Level 5. Whitehall, Chatham House, ODI and the LSE-adjacent think tank ecosystem sit within a short tube ride of the classroom.

Every intake shares the same weekly seminar with a named tutor. The careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against PSA, BISA and Chatham House programmes so Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies graduates step into graduate-level cross-cutting work with a credible, current base.

Apply for Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies

The Higher Diploma in International Governance and Interdisciplinary Studies is a technician-to-graduate articulation route for interdisciplinary global governance analysts. Complete a Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline, credit transfer is confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now.