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This stream draws on a wide range of disciplines that enable students to develop knowledge, understanding and capability in various scientific methods and fields of study relevant to health services research. It is aimed at those who plan a career in this field from high-, middle- and low-income countries.
By the end of this stream students will be able to demonstrate ability to apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health, consisting of statistics; epidemiology; health economics; and social research, to real health problems. In addition, students will be able to:
- understand the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs
- identify, assess and synthesise evidence from research literature
- select and apply appropriate, ethical and feasible study designs to answer questions in health services and health systems research
- show competence in critically evaluating and communicating research evidence
- understand the relationship between research evidence and policy/practice
Graduates from this stream go on to pursue careers in research (including further study at doctoral levels) and in health services, government ministries and non-governmental organisations. Find out more about our graduate careers and destinations.
Duration: one year full-time; part-time or split-study over two years. Ways to study explained.
Public Health
Watch Programme Directors Shakoor Hajat and Dalya Marks talk about the programme.
The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.
- Structure of the year
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Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks for AB1 slot modules, plus one Reading Week* in the middle of the term. Followed by the Winter break.
Term 2 (January - March) consists of a further ten weeks of teaching for C and D slot modules, plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. C modules are taught in five half-week blocks before Reading Week. D modules are taught in five half-week blocks after Reading Week. Followed by the Spring break.
Term 3 (April - September) consists of five weeks of teaching for E slot modules, taught in half-week blocks, and the project report.
*Reading Week is a week during term where no formal teaching takes place. It is a time for private study, preparing for assessments or attending study/computer skills workshops. There are two Reading Weeks at LSHTM: one in November and the other in February.
- Term 1
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Students complete the Public Health common core, consisting of four compulsory AB1 modules:
- Basic Epidemiology
- Basic Statistics for Public Health & Policy
- Issues in Public Health
- Principles of Social Research
In addition, students intending to follow this stream must take Health Services. The remaining module can be selected from:
- Environment, Health & Sustainable Development
- Foundations for Health Promotion
- Health Policy, Process & Power
- Introduction to Health Economics
- Terms 2 and 3
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Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2, D1, D2, E). The list below shows recommended or compulsory modules. There are other optional modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Programme Directors.
C1 slot
- Economic Evaluation
- Health Care Evaluation
- Sociological Approaches to Health
C2 slot
- Design & Analysis of Epidemiological Studies
- Health Systems
- History & Health
- Qualitative Methodologies
- Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
D1 slot
- Economic Analysis for Health Policy
- Medical Anthropology and Public Health
D2 slot
- Reviewing the Literature (compulsory)
E slot
- Proposal Development (compulsory)
By arrangement, students may be able to substitute specified distance learning modules for up to two modules in certain timetable slots. Any such substitutions will need to be discussed with the Programme Directors.
- Project report
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Students prepare a project report during the summer months (July - August), for submission by early September.
Please note: Should it be the case that you are unable to travel overseas or access laboratories in order to complete your project, you will be able to complete an alternative desk-based project allowing you to obtain your qualification within the original time frame. Alternatively, you will be able to defer your project to the following year.
Changes to the programme
LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.
In order to be admitted to the MSc Public Health, an applicant must:
- hold either a first degree at Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) standard in a relevant discipline, or a degree in medicine recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of practising medicine in the UK, or another degree of equivalent standard awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK ENIC or the GMC.
or
- hold a professional qualification appropriate to the programme of study to be followed obtained by written examinations and judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) degree or above.
or
- applicants with a 2:2 degree will also be considered if they have sufficient relevant professional experience or training in the field (sufficient, relevant work experience would typically mean at least two years working in a field allied to public health) - we would encourage such applicants to contact the Programme Directors to discuss their suitability before applying.
If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.
Applicants with relevant work experience will be given preference. This includes both paid and voluntary work, internships etc.
Applicants will need to provide some evidence of ability in mathematics, post-16 year education. This could include:
- "A" level or a higher school certificate
- a module within an undergraduate degree (such as quantitative methods, epidemiology or statistics)
- statistics studied as part of a general research methods course
- an online biostatistics short course
Any undergraduate degree subject at Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) standard can be acceptable with a demonstrable commitment to public health.
The personal statement should address at least the following: why do you wish to study MSc Public Health at LSHTM? How does it fit into your career objectives? What will you contribute as a student on the MSc Public Health programme?
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B
It is possible to apply without English language test results however the results of a test may be listed as a condition of an offer of admission. Please see our English language requirements for more information.
Intercalating students
You will need the equivalent of a bachelor's degree to undertake an MSc. This will usually require you to have a BSc degree or have completed the first three years of your medical degree. More information on intercalating an MSc at LSHTM.
Access and widening participation
At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that excellent students feel encouraged to apply for a course of study with us. We have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to support those students who have faced the greatest barriers to their learning. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.
| Fees 2025/26 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Home | Full-time | £13,580 |
| Part-time | £6,790 | |
| EU/Overseas | Full-time | £29,960 |
| Part-time | £14,980 |
*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees
Funding available for this programme:
- 2022 UCL, Bloomsbury and East London Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) ESRC Research Studentships - Health and Wellbeing pathway (application deadline: 10 January 2022)
Please note: this funding is only available through the Master's & PhD (1+3) route.
Applications should be made to the MSc Public Health in the first instance.
Applications should be made online and will only be considered once you have provided all required information and supporting documentation.
Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.
You can apply for up to two master's. Make sure to list them by order of preference as consideration will be given to your top choice first.
Application deadlines
All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability of a place and a timely decision on their application. This is particularly important for applicants with sponsorship deadlines.
We strongly advise that you apply early as popular programmes will close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.
The final closing dates for all taught Master’s applications for entry in the 2025/26 academic year is:
- Sunday 27 July 2025 at 23:59 UK time for all students requiring a Student visa
- Sunday 31 August 2025 at 23:59 UK time for all UK, Irish and non-Student visa students
Applicants will be required to meet the conditions of their offer and provide all necessary documents by the date of their Offer of Admission.
Application fee
A standard non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all taught Master’s degree programmes and is payable upon application submission. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and student hardship fund.
Tuition fee deposit
Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admission and pay the £500 deposit within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. The deposit is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM.
Do you need a visa?
Please visit our Visa & Immigration pages for advice and guidance.