Epidemiology (Msc, Postgraduate Diploma & Postgraduate Certificate)
Is this course for me?
This course offers professional training in the epidemiology of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It also provides essential statistical skills related to the health problems of both the developed and the developing world. Graduates from the course pursue careers in medical research; public health and commuity medicine; epidemiological field studies; disease surveillance units; drug/vaccine manufacturers; or disease control in governmental, NGO's or donor institutions. It is also of interest to those who require an understanding of epidemiology, such as medical journalists and scientific officers in government and industry.
Course summary
| You study | Study period | Cost (2012-2013) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | 9 modules plus a compulsory project report and a qualifying examination paper | 2-5 years | £11,400 |
| Postgraduate Diploma | 8 modules | 2-5 years | £9,010 |
| Postgraduate Certificate | 4 modules | 1-5 years | £6,610 |
| Individual modules | Studying individual modules is an ideal option if you wish to update your professional knowledge or sample the programme. The fee is £1,575 per module. | ||
Course aims
The course aims to provide:
- epidemiological training by distance learning for professionals in academic departments, research units, or in the health services
- a comprehensive understanding of the basic concepts and methods in epidemiology together with advanced skills in specific applications of epidemiological research methods.
Prestige
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is the leading postgraduate medical institution in Europe in the subjects of public health and tropical medicine.
Excellent support
It is taught through use of interactive CD-ROM materials, supported by practical workbooks and textbooks. Students are actively encouraged to participate in web-based discussion boards. Training is also provided in the use of statistical software.
Summary of key dates
| Application deadline | 30 June | ||
| Registration deadline | 31 August | ||
| Course starts | October | ||
| Examinations take place | June | ||
MSc: 9 modules plus a compulsory project report and a qualifying examination paper
Postgraduate Diploma: 8 modules (6 compulsory core modules plus 2 elective modules)
Postgraduate Certificate: 4 modules (the first 4 compulsory modules)
Four compulsory core modules
Plus two compulsory modules (Postgraduate Diploma and Msc only)
Plus further elective modules (two for Postgraduate Diploma, three for MSc)
Postgraduate Diploma: Both modules must be chosen from EPM3; at least one of the elective modules must be chosen from either EPM301 or EPM303.
MSc: At least two modules must be taken from Selection group EPM3, one of which must be either EPM301 or EPM303. The remaining module can be chosen from other EPM3 modules, or from the selection groups listed below. Plus compulsory Project report [EPM500] and a qualifying examination paper [EPM400] (MSc only)
Elective modules from group EPM3
Elective modules from group CTM2
Elective modules from group IDM2
Elective modules from group IDM3
Elective modules from group IDM5
Elective modules from group PHM2
- Analytical models for decision making
- Communicable disease control
- Economic analysis for management and policy
- Economic evaluation
- Environmental epidemiology
- Environmental health policy
- Health care evaluation
- Financial management
- Globalisation and health
- Managing health services
- Medical anthropology in public health
- Organisational management
- Principles and practice of health promotion
Notes:
- All EPM modules successfully completed will be assigned 15 credits each; the project report will be assigned 45 credits.
- For Postgraduate Diploma/MSc students, credit for one or two modules studied at LSHTM (blended learning study) may be allowed in place of one or two of the above elective modules, subject to module restrictions. An additional fee will be payable.
- A t the discretion of the Examiners, students who have been examined in and have passed only three EPM1 modules (which must include EPM101 and EPM102) may be permitted to proceed to elective module studies.
- Note that restrictions and prerequisites may apply to some of the modules.
How you study
You study independently, at a time and pace that suits you (subject to some course-specific deadlines), using the comprehensive study materials provided, with learning support from our academic staff.
We know that if you have a full-time job, family or other commitments, and wish to study at a distance, you will have many calls on your time. We therefore allow you between 1-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Certificate, and between 2-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc.
The study year for most modules runs from the beginning of October through to the June exams, while two modules run from the beginning of January through to assignment submission at the end of August. Tutorial support is available throughout this time. Students carrying out projects are assigned personal supervisors to support their project work which is mostly carried out between June and the end of September in their final year.
The support you receive
- a web-based conferencing system allows you to pose questions and engage in academic discussions with tutors and fellow students
- teaching staff provide written, personalised feedback and advice on assignments
- you can communicate with other distance learning students, either individually or by setting up your own learning support groups.
Study materials
You receive your study materials after you register. Study materials may include Subject guides, Readers, Textbooks, CD-ROMs/additional computer software (e.g. Stata), Past examination papers and Examiners’ reports, and Handbooks. You also have access to the school’s online library resources.
Fees
The fees given below refer to the 2011-2012 academic year and are subject to annual review. Fees may be paid in one of two ways:
EITHER, on registration, a single payment covering the registration fee and all module fees.
OR pay the registration fee, plus the fee for each module you are taking in your first year. Then, in subsequent years, you pay the fee for each new module you take.
Fees
The fees given below refer to the 2011-2012 academic year and are subject to annual review. Fees may be paid in one of two ways:
| 2012-2013 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee | £ 1,050 | |
| Fee per core module | £ 1,390 | |
| Fee per elective module | £ 600 | |
| Fee for final project | £ 1,790 | |
| Fee per individual module | £ 1,655 | |
| TOTAL Postgraduate Certificate | £ 6,610 | |
| TOTAL Postgraduate Diploma | £ 9,010 | |
| TOTAL MSc | £ 11,400 | |
|
ConvertGBP x 1 | ||
Note: the University reserves the right to amend previously announced fees, if necessary.
How you pay your fees
All fees must be paid in pounds sterling, which may be paid either by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Electron or JCB) OR by banker's draft, cheque or UK postal order, made payable to 'The University of London' and crossed 'a/c payee'.
Other costs
Besides the fees payable to the University, you should also budget for the fee levied by your local examination centre to cover their costs (if you do not sit your exams in London).
Assessment
Assessment varies from module to module but will include a combination of unseen written papers and written assignments. Details are given in the module specifications.
Examinations take place once a year in June (please note: it is not possible to hold examinations
at other times of year). These are normally held in a student’s country of residence. We have examination centres in over 190 countries worldwide (for details please visit our Assessment and xaminations section.
They are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. Students taking examinations outside London will need to pay a fee to their local examination centre. Please note that if you fail an examination at the first entry you will be allowed one further attempt.
Academic Requirements
All applicants are required to have:
Academic
A second class honours degree or equivalent, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London, in health-related disciplines or in statistics or another appropriate subject. Work experience in a health sciences/health care setting is desirable but not essential.
Applicants with an appropriate professional or technical qualification in a health-related field, which satisfies the University as a qualification equivalent to a second class honours degree, together with at least three years’ relevant experience, may also be considered on an individual basis.
Students who do not satisfy the above requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.
Language Requirements
For awards at FHEQ level 7, students must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:
- IELTS with an overall grade of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 6 in each sub test; or
- TOEFL with a score of 600 of 250 on the computerised test plus a Test of Written English (TWE of at least 4.5); or
- a test of proficiency in English language from the prescribed list published by the University.
Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.
Note: Some programmes will require greater proficiency in English language; these requirements will be reflected in the relevant programme regulations.
Computer Requirements
Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.
Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+
Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater
Certain programmes may have their own specific requirements, please refer to the relevant Regulations.
LSHTM - Epidemiology
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is the University of London's major resource for postgraduate teaching and research in public health and tropical medicine, as well as the leading postgraduate medical institution in these subjects in Europe. It has an international standing with a staff that has unique multidisciplinary and international experience.
This course has been designed by staff within the Faculty of Epidemiology & Population Health (EPH) which houses the largest group of epidemiologists, statisticians and medical demographers in Europe, together with nutritionists, social scientists and public health practitioners, working on the diseases of major health importance in both the industrialised and the less developed countries.
Academic leaders
Anne Tholen - BSc RGN MSc.
Anne graduated in Mathematics at Exeter University and qualified as a nurse at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. She subsequently joined St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, where she managed the first UK antenatal serum screening service for Down’s syndrome, also organising international training courses for health professionals in this field. In 1998, she obtained an MSc in Epidemiology at Erasmus University, Rotterdam (The Netherlands). She joined LSHTM in 1999. Her research interests include psychosocial aspects of antenatal screening, ultrasound screening for congenital abnormalities and maternal epilepsy.
Apply online
- MSc Epidemiology
- PG Diploma Epidemiology
- PG Certificate Epidemiology
- Epidemiology (Short Courses)
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Academic Inspiration - MSc Epidemiology
Dr Smeeth from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine looks at non-communicable diseases in low-income settings. Epidemiology of non-communicable diseases is an elective module offered as part of this degree.