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.
LSHTM's 3,500 staff and 4,700 students are working together to help create a more healthy, sustainable and equitable world for everyone. With main sites in London, The Gambia and Uganda, it is uniquely placed to make a tangible impact on people's lives through highly rated research, postgraduate education and global networks. 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
LSHTM's specialised postgraduate courses prepare students to tackle present and future health challenges, from disease outbreaks to climate change.
A range of taught master's degree programmes at the Bloomsbury campus specialize in public/global health and tropical medicine. Courses are typically one year in duration, although part-time options are often available. Many intensive programmes are also open to medical students looking to intercalate after completing their third year of study at any recognised university globally.
MPhil, PhD and DrPH programmes are all available. Additionally, short courses at LSHTM cover a broad range of specialised topics in public and global health. These run on an annual basis and online delivery has increasingly become available.
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.
One of the world's leading public health institutions, the university has a huge archive of research literature and public health documents stretching back over 100 years. Stored in LSHTM's Library & Archives Service, this gives students access to a selection of books, journals and electronic resources. It is one of the oldest and most comprehensive collections of public health literature and is continually being updated by the internationally excellent research which the university produces.
A major advantage of studying in Bloomsbury is the density of top-level universities in the immediate area and, since LSHTM students are members of the University of London, they are able to freely use Senate House Libraries, the British Library, and many more superb and historic facilities.
LSHTM teaching facilities are well funded and fully furnished with the latest equipment and technologies. The university is carrying out improvement works to the buildings, including building new laboratories and social space for students.
The LSHTM website offers information and guidance about accommodation options in central London.
Students will need to search and secure accommodation by themselves, although the LSHTM Student Advice team is able to offer direction and guidance to ensure that students make the housing choices which are best suited to their individual preferences and budget.
LSHTM believes in fair access to education, and offers a range of scholarship options to ensure that students from all economic backgrounds have the resources to complete their studies in confidence.
There are course-specific scholarships, merit-based awards and means tested bursaries, funded by the university and by its generous network of sponsors and alumni donors. Prospective students are encouraged to consult the university website for full information, to check eligibility, and to be aware of any important dates and application deadlines.
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.
As a world leading institution, the university attracts the brightest minds and the hardest working students from all around the world. The university encourages anyone with the desire to study at LSHTM to make an application, and submissions are considered on an individual basis. Early applications are encouraged as popular courses will close early once full.
Information on general academic and English requirements can be found on the LSHTM website. Applicants are recommended to check the individual programmes for any additional entry submission requirements.
Tuition fees for postgraduate students at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine depend on the specific course chosen, as well as the level of academic study. There are different tuition fee pricing groups for domestic and overseas students, as well as full-time and part-time rates.
Please see the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine webpages for more details.
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.
LSHTM builds expertise at a range of scales, from the molecular to the global, the theoretical to the applied, the analytical to the political. It is one of the best regarded public health institutions and is continually building on its long and illustrious heritage to improve health worldwide.
The university is highly regarded internationally:
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 students to refresh their skills and keep up to date with the latest research and knowledge.
Short courses cover a broad range of specialised topics in public and global health. These courses run on an annual basis and online delivery has increasingly become available.
LSHTM also offers a number of professionally certified short courses, including:
Learn more about LSHTM's short courses on the website.
From disease outbreaks to chronic conditions to threats from climate change: society constantly face major issues in global health. LSHTM's specialised master's degrees, offered in person or online, will prepare students to tackle present and future health challenges.
LSHTM offers a wide range of taught master's degree programmes at its Bloomsbury campus, specialising in public/global health and tropical medicine. 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. This enables students to tailor their education to suit their personal and professional lives, and makes it more feasible to earn while studying.
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. Prospective intercalating students can find more information on the LSHTM website.
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).
The breadth of scientific interests coupled with the geographic diversity of research projects at LSHTM offers a unique opportunity to participate in a dynamic and stimulating group of internationally renowned researchers.
Students can apply to research at any of LSHTM's three faculties:
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. A student's thesis could be desk-based or involve field or laboratory work.
LSHTM offers a selection of flexible online programmes which can be studied from anywhere in the world, making the university's world-class curriculum more internationally available. 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.
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. Students are given access to the LSHTM's Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle) and other online resources such as academic journals, as well as receiving academic support and assessment feedback from subject tutors.
LSHTM's expert teaching staff are all highly regarded in their respective fields and continue as active researchers, bringing their wealth of experience and up-to-date knowledge directly into the classroom. Many of its lecturers and professors are internationally renowned, and students may find themselves being taught by people they have read about in previous studies. LSHTM is a UK leading centre for world-class research. It leads hundreds of research projects and groups working on all aspects of public and global health, while its strategic research centres focus on major health threats at home and overseas.
LSHTM staff are actively working on many current public health issues, helping to shape health policy and translate research findings into tangible impact to meet today's challenges.
Class sizes vary however all students benefit from a high level of contact with their lecturers and tutors, with course content informed by the latest and most relevant health research from the wider academic community.
London is a rich and diverse capital city with a truly international population and a long and fascinating history, which can be seen in its built landscape and its many cultures. There is much for students to discover in a place which is constantly changing and reinventing itself. London has more international students than any other, and is rated as the world's Best Student City (QS Best Student Cities 2025). Whether learners are from the UK or further afield, they will always find people and places in London to help them feel at home.
London is one of the greenest cities in the world, with a historic network of large parks, tree-lined canals and garden squares. It produces and attracts some of the best cultural events, with internationally renowned art galleries, live music venues and theatre productions. Its international population contributes to an incredible landscape of cuisines, and is a cultural melting pot in so many other ways.
London's public transport network offers many ways to travel around the city, enabling LSHTM students to make the most of their time while studying.
LSHTM has 13 cross-institution networks of academics collaborating and innovating to address global health challenges. Focussing on areas such as climate change and planetary health, health in humanitarian crises, malaria, and vaccines, the centres often host events and webinars throughout the year for students to learn more about these areas. Centres often also have student liaison officer (SLO) positions for students to get involved with the centre activities.
The Students' Representative Council (SRC) is a student-run organisation which represents the voices and interests of LSHTM's student community. All students become registered members when they enrol at the university, and the council is organised by elected representatives. Each course has at least one representative, whose role is to establish a fair dialogue between students and the university, to create an improved student experience and cultivate a positive community.
All LSHTM students benefit from membership of the University of London (UoL), which represents a network of students enrolled at various London institutions. UoL provides a huge number of resources, as well as running many clubs and societies which any of its members can join.
LSHTM has a dedicated student support services team, who can advise students on issues which may arise during studies 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. The service is confidential and impartial, and the team are friendly and welcoming. More information can be found online at the student support services page.
LSHTM enhances the learning experience and offers assistance to new students, even before arrival in London, via social media groups and live online Q&A sessions on topics from visas and accommodation to programme content.
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.
The university also co-ordinates 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.
LSHTM consistently enjoys >90% of intensive students in employment/further study (Graduate Outcomes Respondents 2019/20-2022/23), with many alumni finding work in research, policymaking, health ministries, hospitals and international NGOs.
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.
