How long does the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics take?

The Higher Diploma in Policy Economics runs 15 to 18 months. Working civil servants on distance mode typically take the full 18 months on the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics.

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Policy Economics is delivered on-campus, online with live seminars, and by distance learning. All modes share the same capstone requirement and named programme tutor.

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

Yes. The Higher Diploma in Policy Economics articulates into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or public policy, 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 Policy Economics need IELTS 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5.

What are the fees and is funding available?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics 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 Diploma in Policy Economics | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Policy Economics is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes. It combines applied microeconomics, welfare analysis, tax and benefit modelling, and cost-benefit analysis for UK public programmes, with reference to Institute for Fiscal Studies, CIPFA and Government Economic Service technical framework.

By graduation, students on the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics are producing tax and benefit briefs, running distributional analyses on published UK microdata, applying HM Treasury Green Book appraisal to real interventions, and completing a capstone project on a live policy-economics question.

Key Features

Articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in economics or public policy, with credit transfer confirmed at enrolment.
Modules mapped to Government Economic Service and CIPFA public-finance themes.
Case teaching on IFS commentary, Green Book appraisal and Office for Budget Responsibility documentation.
Applied econometrics seminars using published UK microdata extracts.
Named programme tutor with policy-economics background for every student on the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics.
Capstone project on a live tax, benefit, regulation or public-service question.

What You Will Learn

Model tax incidence and behavioural response using standard microeconomic tools.
Run distributional analysis for a tax or benefit reform.
Apply HM Treasury Green Book appraisal to a live UK public programme.
Analyse regulatory impact using cost-benefit and value-for-money frameworks.
Interpret Office for Budget Responsibility fiscal projections.
Draft an evidence-based policy-economics brief.
Present fiscal analysis to a lay policy audience.
Handle ethics and reproducibility in applied policy economics.

Who This Course Is For

Policy officers, civil servants and think-tank analysts working on tax, welfare or regulation.
Diploma graduates in economics or public policy seeking a graduate-level articulation.
Working professionals in local authorities, health boards or arms-length bodies with policy responsibility.
International applicants preparing for UK graduate study or ministry-of-finance roles.
Career changers moving from accountancy, consultancy or teaching into policy economics.

Career Pathways

Public Finance Analyst in a Whitehall or CIPFA-aligned role.
Government Economist on tax, welfare or regulatory policy.
Economic Policy Analyst in a think tank or consultancy.
Regulatory Economist in a competition or sector regulator.
Economic Consultant on public appraisal work.
Research Economist in an IFS or NIESR-aligned policy programme.
Central Bank Analyst on fiscal-monetary interactions.

The LSLPE careers service supports every Higher Diploma in Policy Economics student on applications into Whitehall economics, CIPFA-aligned public-finance teams and think-tank policy research.

Entry Requirements

A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in economics, public policy or public administration.
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 Policy Economics.

Why Study at LSLPE

LSLPE reads policy economics alongside law and politics, recognising that fiscal choices are constrained by legislation and shaped by political mandate. Central London places HM Treasury, the Bank of England, IFS and CIPFA-aligned analysis 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 civil servants and international applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Policy Economics without stepping away from employment, and the LSLPE careers service holds standing relationships with Whitehall economics, CIPFA-aligned public-finance teams and think tanks recruiting policy-economics talent every year.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Policy Economics

Progressors seeking a UK Level 5 qualification in policy economics can complete the Higher Diploma at LSLPE and articulate cleanly into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline. Credit transfer is confirmed at enrolment. Enrol Now.