How long is the Diploma in International Relations?

The Diploma in International Relations takes nine to twelve months across on-campus, online and distance-learning routes, with a single September intake each year at LSCT.

Can the Diploma in International Relations be studied fully online?

Yes. The Diploma in International Relations is delivered online and by distance learning, with live tutor sessions and a UN-style simulation week run in a virtual classroom.

Is the Diploma in International Relations recognised by UK employers and universities?

The Diploma in International Relations is aligned with Political Studies Association teaching guidance and is recognised by UK government, NGO and think-tank recruiters as a credible entry credential.

What are the entry requirements for the Diploma in International Relations?

A-levels or equivalent, GCSE English at 4/C and IELTS 6.0 for non-native speakers. A personal statement on a current global issue is required for the Diploma in International Relations.

Are scholarships available for the Diploma in International Relations?

Yes. Means-tested bursaries and international awards run each intake. For the Diploma in International Relations, contact LSCT admissions for the current fee schedule and scholarship criteria.

Diploma in International Relations — UK Level 4 | LSCT | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

If you want a credible foundation in foreign policy, security studies and global political economy, the Diploma in International Relations at the London School of Commerce and Technology (LSCT) is a structured vocational programme built for that step. It sits within our Law & Social Sciences department, takes nine to twelve months to complete, and is taught on-campus in central London, fully online and by distance learning.

The Diploma in International Relations walks through the major theories — realism, liberalism, constructivism — alongside the institutions that shape day-to-day international politics. By the end of the diploma you will be able to read a UN Security Council resolution, follow a diplomatic crisis with a clear analytical lens, and write the kind of short policy paper a Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office desk officer would recognise.

Industry Context

UK international policy is under sustained pressure: the Integrated Review Refresh's commitments on Indo-Pacific tilt, persistent Russia sanctions enforcement, AUKUS-related industrial policy, and the FCDO's expanded development remit after the DFID merger. The Diploma in International Relations is sequenced against those conditions so essays and the policy paper reference current consultations and inquiries rather than evergreen examples.

Key Features of the Diploma in International Relations

UK political-studies alignment drawing on Political Studies Association teaching guidance.
Three study modes — on-campus, live online or distance learning.
UN simulation week on a real-world crisis.
Policy-paper workshop using FCDO-style formatting.
Global political economy module linking trade, sanctions and finance.
Field session for on-campus students at Westminster or Chatham House (subject to availability).

What You Will Learn on the Diploma in International Relations

The Diploma in International Relations combines theoretical grounding with the analytical habits you need to make sense of a daily international news agenda. You will graduate able to read a UN resolution, summarise it under cross-examination, and write a structured FCDO-style policy memo.

Theories of international relations and global order.
UK foreign policy and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
International security and conflict studies.
Global political economy, trade and sanctions.
International law and human rights frameworks.
Regional studies (selected regions in depth).
Diplomacy, negotiation and crisis decision-making.
Research methods and writing for policy audiences.
Cyber and information operations in international politics.

Assessment Approach

Assessment is portfolio-based and tied to policy artefacts. Students produce critical theory essays, a UN simulation transcript, a UK FCDO-style policy paper on a current issue, a regional case study and a final policy brief. The brief is defended in a panel modelled on a Diplomatic Service Fast Stream assessment-centre exercise.

Who the Diploma in International Relations Is For

Undergraduates considering a postgraduate IR degree who want a structured first credential.
Civil-service applicants targeting the Diplomatic Service Fast Stream.
NGO and humanitarian workers needing a stronger grounding in geopolitics.
International students aiming for further UK study in international relations or law.
Journalists and content researchers covering foreign affairs.

Career Pathways for Diploma in International Relations Graduates

The Diploma in International Relations supports applications into junior policy, research and casework roles across UK government, parliamentary research, NGOs and think tanks. The diploma supports applications but does not by itself guarantee employment or visa outcomes. Typical first roles include:

Policy Assistant (FCDO, Home Office, MoD)
Parliamentary Researcher
NGO Programme Assistant
Think-tank Research Assistant
International Trade Officer (junior)
Risk Analyst (geopolitical, entry)

The diploma also stacks credit into our Higher Diploma in International Relations and our MSc in Political Science.

Entry Requirements

Completed secondary schooling (A-levels, BTEC Level 3, IB or recognised international equivalent) or equivalent work experience in a relevant field.
GCSE English Language at grade 4/C or above (or equivalent).
English language: IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
A short personal statement, ideally referencing a current international issue you find compelling.

Why Study at LSCT

The London School of Commerce and Technology (LSCT) is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. We teach in small cohorts so every student is visible to their tutor, run a single intake schedule that students can rely on, and partner with UK professional bodies so qualifications carry weight with employers. London puts Whitehall, the City, Silicon Roundabout, the Royal Courts of Justice, the West End and the NHS estate within a short tube ride of every classroom — and our students use that proximity in their projects, placements and graduate job hunts. IR students benefit from being a short tube ride from Westminster, the FCDO, Chatham House and the largest concentration of UK think tanks.

UN Simulation Week

The Diploma in International Relations runs a structured UN simulation week each year built around a real-world crisis. Students take on country delegations, negotiate text, draft resolutions and defend positions under tutor cross-examination. The simulation is followed by a written reflective brief that maps back to the theoretical readings of the term, so students close the loop between abstract theory and the procedural choreography of multilateral diplomacy. Field sessions for on-campus students include visits to Chatham House and the Foreign Office press briefings where space permits.

Apply for Diploma in International Relations

Ready to take the next step into the Law & Social Sciences sector? Click Enrol Now to submit your application for the Diploma in International Relations; admissions reply within one working day with the intake date and document checklist.