How long is the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies?

The Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies runs 15 to 18 months. Distance learners on the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies follow the same seminar calendar as on-campus cohorts.

How is the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies delivered?

The Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies is available on-campus in central London, online and by distance learning. Every mode of the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies includes the capstone project.

Is the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies recognised in the UK?

Yes, the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies sits at UK Level 5 and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up. The Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies is aligned with Political Studies Association and Royal Economic Society guidance.

What entry requirements apply to the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies?

You will need a Level 4 Diploma or Advanced Diploma for the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies, plus GCSE English and Maths. IELTS 6.0 applies to international applicants for the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies.

What is the cost of the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies and is funding available?

Fees for the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies are published on the LSLPE admissions page. Staged payment and employer sponsorship are considered for the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies on application.

Higher Dip Political Economy Studies | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies is a UK Level 5 qualification running 15 to 18 months across on-campus, online and distance routes, with confirmed articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline. The programme is aligned with Political Studies Association and Royal Economic Society thematic guidance, and it treats politics and economics as one integrated field of analysis rather than two adjacent subjects.

By graduation you will have written a political economy analysis of a live sector, produced comparative political-economy country notes, argued a select-committee style oral session, and completed a capstone piece integrating institutional and market analysis under supervision.

Key Features

Programme aligned with Political Studies Association and Royal Economic Society thematic guidance.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's top-up confirmed in writing at enrolment.
Case-based teaching from Institute for Fiscal Studies and Institute for Government publications.
Weekly seminars in the select-committee tradition with named tutor supervision.
Guest sessions with practising political economists at think tanks and the City.
Field visits to Parliament, Chatham House public events and the Bank of England museum.
Dedicated stream on international political economy and trade bargaining.

What You Will Learn

Apply institutional and rational-choice frameworks to policy problems.
Analyse the political economy of taxation, public spending and welfare.
Compare varieties of capitalism across UK, EU and developing economies.
Read central bank communications with a political economy lens.
Interpret Bretton Woods institutions and their reform agendas.
Analyse the political economy of energy transition and climate policy.
Build political-economy risk assessments for a business or NGO client.
Communicate findings in written brief and oral evidence formats.

Who This Course Is For

Working policy officers seeking a formal political economy credential.
Junior analysts at think tanks and NGOs building sector analysis skills.
Graduates from Diploma or Advanced Diploma routes progressing to Bachelor's top-up.
International applicants building UK political economy literacy.
Career changers from finance or communications entering policy analysis.

Career Pathways

Political Analyst inside a think tank or research programme.
Policy Adviser at a Whitehall or council function.
Public Sector Consultant on transformation and reform programmes.
Think Tank Researcher at a Chatham House or IFS-aligned programme.
Development Analyst at an ODI-aligned research or NGO team.
Global Affairs Analyst at a City or trade advisory function.
Government Affairs Manager at a regulated business.
Strategy Adviser inside a public body.

The LSLPE careers service links Higher Diploma cohorts to think tanks, public bodies and consultancies, and runs analytical writing clinics for progression to Bachelor's top-up.

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 policy officer, research assistant or public administration roles are welcomed to reference their outputs at application.

Why Study at LSLPE

The London School of Law, Politics and Economics is a specialist division of Harold International College of London teaching in small, tutor-visible cohorts. LSLPE reads politics and economics as one integrated discipline, which is what political economy demands. Whitehall, the City, Chatham House and the LSE-adjacent think-tank ecosystem sit within a short tube ride of every LSLPE seminar room.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working policy officers and international applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains standing links with think tanks, Whitehall and City policy teams.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies

Complete the Higher Diploma in Political Economy Studies at LSLPE and articulate directly into a UK Bachelor's top-up in the same discipline. Credit transfer is confirmed in writing at enrolment. Enrol Now.