Higher Diploma in Political Science
Course Overview
The Higher Diploma in Political Science is a UK Level 5 qualification of 15 to 18 months articulating into a UK Bachelor's top-up. The syllabus is aligned with the applied competencies referenced by the Political Studies Association and the British International Studies Association and draws on the research programmes of Chatham House, the Institute for Government and the LSE-adjacent political science community.
By graduation you will have designed and delivered a small research project, produced applied case studies on UK democratic institutions, drafted policy briefs on live reform questions, and completed a workplace capstone in a think tank, NGO, campaign team or public affairs firm.
Key Features
- Aligned with PSA and BISA political science research competencies.
- Structured methods training in survey, interview, comparative and quantitative techniques.
- Applied study of UK democratic institutions and party systems.
- Practitioner briefings from think tank fellows and Institute for Government alumni.
- Three parallel study modes: on-campus, live online and distance.
- Structured articulation into UK Bachelor's top-ups.
- Workplace capstone in a political science research setting.
What You Will Learn
- Design and deliver a small political science research project.
- Interpret election, opinion and administrative datasets.
- Analyse democratic institutions and reform debates.
- Compare UK, EU and US political systems in an applied context.
- Draft a policy brief on a live democratic reform question.
- Evaluate party competition using coalition and rational choice theory.
- Present findings in the case-room seminar tradition.
- Deliver a capstone report to graduate practitioner standard.
Who This Course Is For
- Diploma or Advanced Diploma holders in politics, IR or public policy.
- Junior parliamentary researchers and think tank staff.
- Public affairs consultants and campaign analysts.
- NGO staff moving into research-led roles.
- International applicants seeking a UK articulation into a Bachelor's top-up.
Career Pathways
- Political Analyst in a public affairs firm.
- Think Tank Researcher on democratic reform programmes.
- Parliamentary Researcher on a select committee or MP's office.
- Policy Adviser in a government department.
- Election Analyst at a broadcaster or polling firm.
- Political Communications Officer in a campaign team.
- Public Affairs Consultant in an advisory practice.
- Political Consultant in a specialist firm.
The LSLPE careers service maintains introductions to Westminster public affairs firms, think tanks and campaign teams.
Entry Requirements
- A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Advanced Diploma or comparable qualification in politics, IR 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 research assistant, policy officer or campaign roles are welcomed.
Why Study at LSLPE
LSLPE places the Higher Diploma in Political Science within a short walk of Parliament, Whitehall, the Institute for Government and Chatham House. Live briefings and guest sessions from working researchers keep the programme anchored in current UK political science practice.
Every intake shares the same weekly seminar with a named tutor. The careers service refreshes curriculum alignment annually against PSA and BISA guidance so Higher Diploma in Political Science graduates step into graduate-level policy and analyst work with a credible, current base.
Apply for Higher Diploma in Political Science
The Higher Diploma in Political Science is a technician-to-graduate articulation route with an applied methods and case-study spine. 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.
