| The course runs from 19 January to 20 February 2026. |
This is a master’s level online course that offers a focused perspective and approach to learning about pandemics. The course will outline the specific drivers, multi-disciplinary actors and response measures, and facilitate the critical appraisal of pandemic preparedness, response and research in different contexts.
The course has been designed to support the development of skills and knowledge that are critical to effective pandemic preparedness and response. It will emphasise the value of interdisciplinary working, self-reflection, critical appraisal and synthesis.
Who is the course for?
This course will be of value to professionals looking to further their knowledge and skills specific to pandemics, with experience in the following relevant disciplines and/or areas of practice.
- Public health
- Epidemiology
- Data Science
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Social science
- Case management
- Risk communication and community engagement
- Infection prevention and control
- Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
- Mental health
- Health policy
- Logistics
- Healthcare management
The course aims to:
- Offer learning opportunities for professionals working in disciplines related to disease outbreaks to develop skills and knowledge that are critical to working in the field of pandemics.
- Emphasise the value of interdisciplinary working, self-reflection, critical appraisal and synthesis for effective pandemic preparedness and response.
Objectives
By the end of the module, engaged participants will be able to:
- Explain the definitions of pandemics and critique their application in the 20th and 21st centuries.
- Identify context-specific drivers and mitigations for emerging infectious diseases and pandemics.
- Critically evaluate methods for emerging infectious disease surveillance, including detection.
- Assess and critique the application of learning from the emergence and spread of pandemics in the 20th and 21st centuries.
- Critically appraise and prioritise the pillars of pandemic preparedness and response at local, national and international levels.
- Develop a national pandemic response plan using an interdisciplinary approach.
- Apply skills of interdisciplinary working, critical thinking, and synthesis to topics relating to pandemic preparedness, response and research.
Teaching and assessments
This is a part-time short course which consists of 20 hours of learning each week. This includes 5 hours of directed learning and 15 hours of self-directed learning. Teaching and assessment methods have been selected for their appropriateness and include use of group discussion, problem-based exercises, presentations, debates in addition to critical appraisal and synthesis of literature. View sample timetable.
Teaching faculty and advisory committee
This course has been developed by Professor John Edmunds (Professor of Infectious Disease Modelling, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Dynamics) and Professor Shelley Lees (Professor Anthropology of Public Health, Department of Global Health and Development).
Comments by course participants
"Fantastic experience. Highly recommend it to anybody passionate about understanding pandemics. Well organised and eye-opening."
"Captivating. Highly recommended for those intrigued by pandemics. Exceptionally structured and enlightening."
"It was detailed, the lecturers had field experiences which made it more robust and applicable to real life situations."
"The course delivered exactly what I had hoped for. It gave me the confidence to contribute to addressing future pandemics and other global challenges. It also provided me with a new perspective, emphasising the importance of remembering and prioritising the needs of the people and communities most affected. Overall, I gained a wealth of new information that I didn't have before taking the course."
"The diverse panelists who were highly experienced and knowledgeable in their respective fields."
"The programme coordinators were amazing, very patient, and very approachable and friendly. The material provided was top-notch, and the panel was very informative."
"Highly recommend it to anybody passionate about understanding pandemics. Well-organised and eye-opening."
The pre-requisites for students applying to this course will be:
- A first degree at Second Class Honours standard in a relevant discipline, a degree in medicine at the same standard, or another degree of equivalent awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK Naric or Barrons.
- Or a professional qualification in a relevant discipline obtained by written examinations and judged by the School to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours degree or above.
- And prior professional experience of at least one year in a field linked with disease outbreak response or research.
Applicants will be required to submit a CV, relevant certificates and a motivation statement through the LSHTM Registry. Applications will be processed by the module organisers.
English language requirements
As part of the application process, applicants are required to demonstrate how they meet the School's minimum English Language requirements. Applicants will meet the English language requirement if they have passed, within the past two years the School's "Band B" requirements:
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English when a minimum overall score of 185 is achieved.
- (IELTS) International English Language Testing System when an overall score of at least 7.0 is achieved with a minimum of 6.5 in the Written sub-test and a minimum of 5.5 in Listening, Reading and Speaking.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) overall score of 68 or above, with a minimum of 62 in Writing and a minimum of 45 in Listening, Reading and Speaking.
- TOEFL - iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language overall score of 100 or above with at least 24 in Writing, 23 in Speaking, 22 in Reading and 21 in Listening.
Applicants that are nationals of a majority English-speaking country may be accepted without an English Language qualification if during the application process they have demonstrated that they are able to understand written and spoken English to the required level. More information can be found here.
£2,250.00 - full fee
£1,125.00 - for nationals of a Low- or Middle- income country that are currently based in a Low- or Middle income country (World Bank definition)
When applying for discounted fees, please include proof of LMIC status alongside your CV. LMIC status can be confirmed with a passport and proof of current residence.
Applying for this course
Applications for 2025 are now open and can be made via our online application form.
The application deadline is Wednesday 19 December 2025, 23:59 UK time. We strongly advise that you apply early as courses may close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.
Please read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.
LSHTM may cancel courses two weeks before the first day of the course if numbers prove insufficient. In those circumstances, course fees will be refunded.