How is the Higher Diploma in World History different from a regional history qualification?

The Higher Diploma in World History is explicitly comparative and transnational — reading across regions rather than within a single one. A regional history qualification goes deeper into one geography; the Higher Diploma in World History trades some depth for breadth and comparative discipline.

Can my Higher Diploma in World History dissertation be on a single region?

It can have a regional focus, but the comparative framing of the Higher Diploma in World History asks for some explicit comparison with at least one other region or tradition. Discuss your intended scope with your tutor at the dissertation planning stage.

Does the Higher Diploma in World History include reading in other languages?

Reading knowledge of another language is helpful but not required. The Higher Diploma in World History works primarily with English-language secondary sources and translated primary sources, with non-English material as enrichment for students who can use it.

Can I study the Higher Diploma in World History online?

Yes. The course runs on-campus in central London, fully online with weekly cohort seminars, and as distance learning. Archive work uses national and international digitised collections accessible across all three modes.

What fees and instalment options are available?

Fees vary by mode and intake. LSJHML offers an instalment plan across the academic year and a small early-application discount. Contact admissions for the current schedule.

Higher Diploma in World History | LSJHML London | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in World History at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a fifteen-to-eighteen-month UK qualification at near-degree level for working archivists, history teachers, museum staff and serious independent historians ready for advanced comparative study. The course is built in dialogue with the Royal Historical Society and the Historical Association and grounded in the global history tradition.

You will work through advanced global history method, undertake structured archive-research training across international digitised collections, and produce a near-degree-level dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words on a comparative or transnational historical question.

Key Features

Near-degree-level depth in global and comparative historical method.
Advanced historiography — Annales, world-systems theory, the global turn, transnational history.
Comparative-history method — comparing across regions, periods and traditions to publishable standard.
Archive practice — National Archives, British Library and international digitised collections.
Dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words on a comparative or transnational question, supervised by a named tutor.
Direct top-up into the final year of a UK BA in History at LSJHML or a partner university.

What You Will Learn

The Higher Diploma in World History is structured around the working practice of an advanced global historian — read across regions, weigh sources comparatively, write sustained comparative argument. You finish able to plan and research a comparative or transnational project, work with international digitised collections to professional standard, and write a 10,000–12,000-word dissertation grounded in primary and secondary evidence.

Advanced global historiography — Annales, world-systems, transnational, contemporary global history.
Comparative history method — comparing across regions and traditions to publishable standard.
Empire and decolonisation in comparative perspective — global comparison of imperial systems.
Migration history — comparative diaspora, forced migration, citizenship and belonging.
Economic history at world scale — global trade networks, comparative industrialisation, labour history.
Cultural exchange — religion, ideas, technology and the comparative history of intellectual transmission.
Archive practice — national and international digitised collections, source evaluation.
Dissertation craft — chapter design, comparative argument arc, evidence integration.

Who This Higher Diploma Is For

Advanced Diploma graduates in history or related disciplines ready for near-degree-level comparative study.
Working archivists, history teachers and museum staff seeking a substantive global-history credential.
Heritage and broadcasting researchers working on international or comparative material.
Mature applicants with strong historical reading habits returning to formal study.

Career Pathways

The Higher Diploma in World History supports progression into senior archive, heritage and education roles, and articulates into a Bachelor's top-up year. Typical roles include:

Historian (independent researcher, heritage consultant, global-history specialist)
Archivist (national, local-authority, specialist international collection)
Museum Curator (history collection, international collection, world-cultures museum)
History Teacher (secondary, sixth form, further education)
Heritage Researcher (Tate, V&A, British Museum, English Heritage)
Editorial Researcher (academic publishing, broadcast documentary)

The Higher Diploma articulates into the final year of a UK BA in History at LSJHML or a partner university.

Entry Requirements

An Advanced Diploma (Level 5) or equivalent in history or a related subject, OR a Diploma plus two years of relevant work experience.
IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement, CV and a short essay sample.
Mature applicants (25+) without standard qualifications may apply with significant senior-track 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.