Advanced Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis
Course Overview
The Advanced Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis at the London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is designed for the policy or consulting economist ready to run full impact assessments, defensible econometrics and regulatory-economics work under a senior-analyst brief. Sitting in the Accounting, Finance & Economics faculty at Level 5, the diploma runs 12 to 15 months on-campus in central London, fully online, or by distance learning. Content is calibrated against HM Treasury Green Book five-case guidance and the OBR’s Forecast Evaluation Report methodology.
The programme is designed around Government Economic Service assistant-plus and senior-economist competencies, with a heavy applied econometrics track and a UK regulatory-economics module. You will graduate able to run a HM Treasury Green Book five-case business case, defend a difference-in-differences study, and write a regulator-facing evidence pack. Tutors are drawn from serving Whitehall economists, regulator staff and City consulting-economics partners, so feedback lands in the vocabulary graduates will use. The sections below detail modules, audience and progression.
Key Features
- Curriculum designed around Government Economic Service senior-analyst and Society of Business Economists competencies.
- Three study modes — central London campus, fully online or by distance learning.
- Fortnightly senior clinic with Whitehall and regulator economists.
- Applied capstone: a Green Book five-case business case with econometric evidence.
- Structured articulation into the LSIBM Higher Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis.
- Assessment blend of an econometrics exercise, a technical appendix and a defended memo marked by a working senior economist.
- Structured route toward Society of Business Economists senior grade with tutor support on the application dossier.
- Coaching on the Government Economic Service senior-economist selection process including case-interview practice.
What You Will Learn
Applied economics at Level 5 is taught as the working craft of a senior policy or regulatory economist — the evaluation design, the econometric spec, the sensitivity, the defence.
- Advanced microeconomic and macroeconomic reasoning through applied case work.
- Applied econometrics — difference-in-differences, IV, panel data at introductory-plus level.
- Stata / R workflow discipline for a UK evidence pack.
- Full Green Book five-case business case authoring.
- Regulatory economics — CMA, Ofgem, Ofcom, Ofwat market studies.
- Sector economics deep dive — energy, transport, health or financial services.
- Impact assessment, distributional analysis and value-for-money reasoning.
- Behavioural economics in policy design — nudge units and trials.
- Writing and defending an evidence pack to a Whitehall or regulator panel.
- Peer-review protocols and reproducibility standards for a UK evidence pack.
- Introduction to shadow pricing and social discount rates under the Green Book.
Who This Course Is For
- Applied economists targeting a senior-analyst appointment.
- Policy analysts moving into a full economist stream.
- Regulator staff formalising their applied-economics craft.
- Consulting analysts moving into economics-led project work.
- Career changers with a strong quantitative background entering senior policy roles.
Career Pathways
Graduates typically move into senior applied economist, regulatory economist and consulting economist roles across Whitehall, regulators and consultancies. Utility regulators, competition regulators and City consulting economics practices all recruit consistently. Typical destinations include:
- Senior Applied Economist
- Regulatory Economist
- Policy Economist (senior)
- Impact Assessment Manager
- Consulting Economist
- Sector Economist
- Regulator Case Economist
- Think-Tank Senior Researcher
The diploma is the natural step onto the LSIBM Higher Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis and supports Society of Business Economists senior membership. Advanced Diploma graduates often move into a Government Economic Service senior-economist or regulator role within eighteen months.
Entry Requirements
- A relevant Diploma (Level 4), Foundation Year, or two years of substantive professional experience in a relevant discipline; comfort with econometrics software is expected.
- GCSE English Language 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.
- A short statement of intent and one academic or professional reference — applicants with a professional-body membership (AAT, CIPD Foundation, CIM Associate, CMI Level 3) should mention it on application.
Why Study at LSIBM
The London School of International Business and Management (LSIBM) is a specialist business-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. Advanced Diploma cohorts sit in small groups so tutors track progress course by course, and every route is mapped to UK professional-body competencies — ACCA, CIMA, CIM, CIPD, CMI, CIPS, IOE&IT, CFA UK — so employers recognise the credential.
London puts the City, Canary Wharf, Whitehall, Companies House, the FCA, the Bank of England and the West End within a short tube ride of every classroom. Advanced Diploma students access a fortnightly practitioner clinic, an industry-careers day each cohort and structured application coaching in the final term.
Apply for the Advanced Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis
Step up into the senior track with the Advanced Diploma in Applied Economic Analysis. Click Enrol Now and our admissions team will respond within one working day with intake dates, credit-transfer guidance and current fees. Advanced Diploma graduates articulate directly into LSIBM Higher Diploma or Bachelor's top-up routes.
