How long is the Higher Diploma in Public Administration?

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

How is the Higher Diploma in Public Administration delivered?

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

Is the Higher Diploma in Public Administration recognised in the UK?

Yes, the Higher Diploma in Public Administration sits at UK Level 5 and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up. The Higher Diploma in Public Administration is aligned with CIPFA and Institute for Government guidance.

What entry requirements apply to the Higher Diploma in Public Administration?

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

What is the cost of the Higher Diploma in Public Administration and is funding available?

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

Higher Diploma in Public Administration | LSLPE | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Public Administration 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 Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy guidance and Institute for Government thematic frameworks, and it develops working administrators into senior-track officers.

By graduation you will have produced a full public-sector business case using the HM Treasury Green Book five-case model, drafted a senior briefing pack for a chief executive or director, led an internal committee cycle, and completed a capstone project on a live reform question.

Key Features

Programme aligned with CIPFA guidance and Institute for Government thematic frameworks.
Structured articulation into a UK Bachelor's public administration or politics top-up.
Case-based teaching from National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee reports.
Weekly seminars in the select-committee tradition with named tutor supervision.
Green Book five-case business case laboratory.
Guest sessions with practising chief executives and directors of finance.
Dedicated stream on transformation, digital government and citizen-service design.

What You Will Learn

Build public-sector business cases using the HM Treasury Green Book five-case framework.
Draft senior briefing packs for a chief executive, director or cabinet member.
Lead a full committee cycle from agenda through decision to minutes.
Read National Audit Office value-for-money reports and rebuild their logic.
Handle procurement and contract management under the UK Procurement Act framework.
Apply the Nolan principles to complex ethics scenarios.
Manage stakeholder engagement across councils, communities and partners.
Communicate senior public-administration analysis to elected members.

Who This Course Is For

Working council and civil-service administrators seeking senior-track credential.
Public-body officers moving into head-of-service roles.
NGO administrators moving into government-facing programme leadership.
International applicants building UK public administration literacy.
Graduates from Diploma routes progressing into Bachelor's top-up.

Career Pathways

Public Sector Consultant on senior transformation programmes.
Government Affairs Manager at a regulated business.
Programme Manager on a cross-council or Whitehall portfolio.
Public Affairs Consultant leading government-relations mandates.
Political Analyst inside a departmental analytical services team.
Public Leadership Fellow at a civic innovation programme.
Strategy Adviser inside a public body.
Policy Adviser at senior officer level.

The LSLPE careers service links Higher Diploma cohorts to senior council recruiters, Whitehall career development managers and public-body directors.

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 council administration, civil-service Fast Stream or public-body officer roles are welcomed.

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. Whitehall, City Hall, the Institute for Government and CIPFA London office sit within a short tube ride of every LSLPE seminar room.

Three parallel study modes let progressors, working council officers and international applicants complete the Higher Diploma in Public Administration without leaving employment, and the LSLPE careers service maintains standing links with senior public-sector recruiters.

Apply for Higher Diploma in Public Administration

Complete the Higher Diploma in Public Administration 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.