London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

About 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.

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 1^st 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 Health (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024)
• 2^nd in the world for public, environmental & occupational health and 4^th in the world for Infectious Diseases (US News Best Global Universities Subject Ranking 2024-25)

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 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 are also open to medical students looking to intercalate to LSHTM.

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

Research programmes

LSHTM offers a unique environment for research degree training with programmes providing 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.

Learn more about LSHTM’s short courses.

Entry requirements

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

Fees and funding

Tuition fees vary, please see the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine webpages and 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. Student Support Services.

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

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