Is the Diploma in Global Citizenship an academic or practical qualification?

Both. The Diploma in Global Citizenship combines academic grounding in human rights and sustainable development frameworks with practical advocacy, campaigning and briefing-writing skills the NGO sector actually uses. The final project is a working campaign or briefing rather than an academic essay.

Do I need volunteer or NGO experience to enrol in the Diploma in Global Citizenship?

No. The Diploma in Global Citizenship is open to A-Level leavers and career-changers without prior NGO experience. Volunteer or campaigning experience is welcome but not required, and the syllabus is taught from the ground up.

Can I take the Diploma in Global Citizenship online?

Yes. The online route runs live cohort sessions and tutor-marked exercises on the same syllabus as on-campus. Distance learners follow the same syllabus on a structured deadline schedule with weekly tutor contact.

How does the Diploma in Global Citizenship help me get an NGO job?

It provides credentialled training in the specific frameworks and skills NGOs hire for at entry level — international frameworks literacy, briefing-writing, advocacy campaigning, ethical practice. The final project gives you a tangible piece of work to point to in interviews and applications.

Is the Diploma in Global Citizenship recognised by UK NGOs and international bodies?

Yes. The Diploma in Global Citizenship is a UK qualification at Level 5 designed around UN Association, Amnesty International and International Crisis Group introductory standards. UK NGOs, international bodies and advocacy organisations recognise the credential as senior-practitioner foundation level.

Diploma in Global Citizenship | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Diploma in Global Citizenship at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a nine-to-twelve-month UK qualification for students who want to work at the meeting point of human rights, sustainability and international solidarity. You will study the major international frameworks — the Universal Declaration, the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN treaty system — and develop the practical advocacy, research and campaigning skills the NGO and international-development sectors actually use.

This Diploma is grounded rather than aspirational. The Diploma in Global Citizenship trains people who can write a credible human rights briefing, run a small campaign with realistic theory-of-change, and contribute to an NGO programme team on day one.

Key Features

UK Diploma credential in global citizenship and advocacy, aligned to UN Association and Amnesty International introductory standards.
International frameworks module — Universal Declaration, the SDGs, key human rights treaties, the international system.
Advocacy and campaigning strand — theory-of-change, public campaigning, lobbying, coalition work.
Sustainability and climate justice — current frameworks, equity considerations, environmental human rights.
Three study modes — on-campus in central London, online with live cohort sessions, or distance learning with structured deadlines.
Final project — a campaign or briefing on a current issue, supervised by an experienced advocacy practitioner.

What You Will Learn

The Diploma in Global Citizenship is structured around the working tasks an entry-level advocacy or NGO programme assistant needs to handle — reading the international frameworks, writing a briefing, designing a campaign, working in a coalition, evaluating outcomes.

Foundations of human rights — Universal Declaration, regional systems, contemporary debates.
The Sustainable Development Goals — what they are, where they came from, where they fall short.
International institutions — UN system, regional bodies, the role of NGOs.
Advocacy and campaigning — theory-of-change, public campaigns, lobbying, coalition work.
Sustainability and climate justice — frameworks, equity, environmental human rights.
Research and briefing writing — credible sources, structured arguments, the briefing format.
Communications for advocacy — plain English, accessible formats, social campaigning.
Ethics and accountability — safeguarding, do-no-harm, working with affected communities.

Who This Diploma Is For

A-Level leavers committed to NGO, advocacy or international-development careers.
Career-changers from teaching, journalism, public sector or commercial work moving into advocacy roles.
Volunteers at human rights or development organisations wanting a structured credential.
International students preparing for advocacy work in the UK or back home.

Career Pathways

The Diploma in Global Citizenship is a foundation credential for entry-level advocacy, NGO programme and international-development assistant work. Typical first roles include:

Programme Assistant (international development NGO)
Campaigns Assistant (advocacy organisation, human rights group)
Research Assistant (think tank, NGO, policy organisation)
Communications Assistant (NGO, charity, public body)
Volunteer Coordinator (advocacy or development organisation)
Engagement Officer (public-interest organisation)

Graduates progress to the Higher Diploma in Heritage Studies, Higher Diploma in Social Development Studies, or related BA at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

Completion of secondary school (A-Levels, BTEC, or international equivalent).
IELTS 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement; volunteer or advocacy experience is welcome.
Mature applicants (21+) may apply with two years of relevant work experience.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.