London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is one of the world’s leading public health universities. A postgraduate-only, specialist university located in Bloomsbury, London, and with international sites, LSHTM has a long-established reputation for world-leading research into public and global health.

The university’s mission is to improve health and health equity in the UK and worldwide; working in partnership to achieve excellence in public and global health research, education and translation of knowledge into policy and practice.

Founded in 1899, LSHTM has been a pioneering force in global research and teaching for over 125 years. It has cultivated a strong network of academics, partners and over 35,500 alumni in 190 countries and in many sectors, from research to policy making.

Courses & lecturers

LSHTM’s research-led educational programmes in public and global health offer a stimulating and truly global outlook. They offer a range of courses including: intensive, in-person master’s; distance learning programmes (PG Certificate, PG Diploma and Master’s); short courses and research degrees.

The university is highly regarded internationally:

• Ranked 1st in the UK for publishing open access research and for the proportion of academic research with women listed as authors (2024 CWTS Leiden Ranking)
• 2nd in the world for public, environmental & occupational health and 4th in the world for Infectious Diseases (US News Best Global Universities Subject Ranking 2024-25)
• 2nd in the world for Public Health (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024)
• 24th for medicine (2024 QS World University Subject Rankings)

Job prospects

LSHTM has a dedicated careers service which is available for intensive students and graduates to use for up to two years after completing their course. Career consultants help students to explore employment options and career pathways, as well as providing organisational support as well as co-ordinating a yearly timetable of workshops, discussion panels, mock interview training and employment fairs to ensure that students have every resource available to kickstart an impactful and fulfilling career which responds to global health challenges.

Distance learning students can access many of the resources through the university’s online learning platform, as well as services offered via the University of London.

Master’s programmes

From disease outbreaks to chronic conditions to threats from climate change: we constantly face major issues in global health. Our specialised master’s degrees, offered in person or online, will prepare you to tackle present and future health challenges.

The duration of each course is typically one year of full-time study, although many can be taken over two-years either part-time or via split study.

Many intensive programmes at LSHTM are also open to medical students looking to intercalate to LSHTM after completing their third year of study at any recognised university globally.

Our master’s programmes

• MSc Climate Change & Planetary Health
• MSc Climate Change & Planetary Health (online)
• MSc Control of Infectious Diseases
• MSc Demography & Health
• MSc Epidemiology
• MSc Global Mental Health
• MSc Health Data Science
• MSc Health Policy, Planning & Financing
• MSc Immunology of Infectious Diseases
• MSc Medical Microbiology
• MSc Medical Parasitology & Entomology
• MSc Medical Statistics
• MSc Nutrition for Public Global Health
• MSc One Health: Ecosystems, Humans and Animals
• MSc Public Health
• MSc Public Health for Eye Care
• MSc Public Health for Global Practice
• MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research
• MSc Sexual & Reproductive Health Policy and Programming (online)
• MSc Tropical Medicine & International Health
• MSc Veterinary Epidemiology

Distance learning programmes

LSHTM offers a selection of flexible online programmes which can be studied from anywhere in the world. Courses are available at PG Certificate, PG Diploma or Master's degree level. Each module is also available as a short course so that students with full-time work or personal commitments can organise their study around their lives.

Subject areas include:

• Clinical Trials
• Epidemiology
• Global Health Policy
• Health in Humanitarian Crises
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

LSHTM welcomes students at various stages of their careers from around the world to its distance learning programmes. The online programmes are self-led using the fully comprehensive study materials provided so students can choose to study at a speed that suits them and their other commitments.

Research programmes

LSHTM offers a unique environment for research degree training due to its academic excellence, multidisciplinary work and collaborations worldwide. Programmes provide opportunities for research study leading to the degrees of MPhil (Master of Philosophy), PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and DrPH (Doctor of Public Health). Students can apply to research at any of LSHTM’s three faculties:

• Epidemiology and Population Health
• Infectious and Tropical Diseases
• Public Health and Policy

LSHTM's research degree programmes examine ways of improving health, and investigate the aetiology, diagnosis, prevention and control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Doctoral students work in a variety of disciplines from laboratory sciences to health services. Your thesis could be desk-based or involve field or laboratory work.

Short courses

LSHTM’s short, post-experience and specifically designed courses run from one day to three months, providing the opportunity for intensive study in specialised topics in addition to those available through its master's programmes. These courses enable you to refresh your skills and keep up-to-date with the latest research and knowledge.

LSHTM also offers a number of professionally certified short courses, including:

• Professional Certificate in Pharmacoepidemiology & Pharmacovigilance
• Professional Diploma in Tropical Nursing
• Professional Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTM&H)

Learn more about LSHTM’s short courses.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements at LSHTM vary by course and by level of study. Aspiring postgraduate students are advised to consult the university course pages before submitting an application.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees depend on the specific course chosen, as well as the level of academic study. Please see the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine webpages.

LSHTM believes in fair access to education, and offers a range of scholarship options.

Student support

LSHTM has a dedicated Student Support Services team, who can advise students on issues such as accommodation, financial worries or mental health. The team also provides counselling for students who might experience anxiety or stress and other mental health issues. More information can be found online at the Student Support Services page.

Facilities

LSHTM has a range of high-quality facilities on site including state of the art lecture theatres, teaching and research spaces, laboratories, study spaces and a library.

Accommodation

The LSHTM website offers information and guidance about accommodation options in central London.