Application guidance (MSc)

These instructions are designed to help you complete each step of LSHTM’s online application form . We recommend that you refer to them at each stage of the application process.

Your application will be saved each time you navigate to a new page by pressing the ‘Next’ or ‘Back’ buttons. However, we recommend that you use the ‘Save’ button regularly (found at the top and bottom of each page) to ensure changes to data are stored as you go along.

What you need before applying:

Your full contact details
Your qualification details
Your employment details
Your referees’ details

What you need to electronically upload:

A valid passport copy (photo page) or EU National ID card (mandatory)
Your personal statement (mandatory)
Curriculum Vitae/Resumé (mandatory)
Transcripts (mandatory)
A valid passport copy (photo page) or EU National ID card (mandatory)
Degree certificates
Relevant professional qualifications
Evidence of English language ability (if available)

You may only submit one application form to LSHTM per academic year. Within this one application, you can select two course choices. Your application will only be considered for one course at any given time. We strongly recommend that you review our Frequently Asked Questions before starting your application.

1. Programme Details

Please make your selection of programme and mode of study from the drop-down menus.

Choice of Programme

You may apply for two Master’s degrees on the application form. To add a second choice, save your first selection and select ‘Add another choice’.
Your first choice will be processed by us first and should therefore be your first preference
Your second choice will only be considered if you are not selected for your first choice programme. If you are applying for the MSc Public Health, please enter your course choice once only as all streams will be considered.

Mode of Study

You will need to specify whether you intend to study full-time, part-time or by split-study for each course choice.

Full-time

Over one year. This involves attending LSHTM five days each week during term time. Each week will include 30 hours contact time within LSHTM and 10 hours self-led study.

Part-time

Over two years this involves attending LSHTM at least two days each week during term time. Each week will include 15 hours contact time within LSHTM and 5 hours self-led study. This option is only available for those who do not require a Student Visa to study at LSHTM.

Split-study

Students taking the course by split-study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, take a one year break, and then undertake the remainder of the course in Year 2. Applicants may request that they split their studies anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May. The proposed date of the split is subject to the agreement of the Programme Director.

With split-study, Paper 1 of the formal exams may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2 after discussion and agreement with the relevant Programme Director. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2.

More information on modes of study can be found on our Ways to Study page. Please note that it is not possible to study part-time on a Student Visa. If you require a Student Visa, you must apply for full-time or split-study.

2. Personal Details

To begin your application, enter the following information into the form:

Title*
Use the drop-down list to choose your title.
First* and middle name(s)
Please enter your given names in the order in which they appear on official documents.
Last/family name/surname*
Please enter your given names in the order in which they appear on official documents.
Preferred name
Please provide the name by which you prefer to be known.
Date of birth*
Please provide as requested (DD-MM-YYYY). This must match your passport or EU National ID card.
Gender*
Please indicate Male, Female or Other.

Your application will be registered under the name provided and will be used in all future correspondence with LSHTM, including any offer letters. The order and spelling of your given names should correspond exactly with the name on your passport or EU National ID card.

3. Nationality

LSHTM requires additional information to assess your tuition fee status. Please complete this section and provide proof of Permanent Right of Residence/Indefinite Leave to Remain if available.

Nationality (primary)
Please use the drop-down list to choose the country of your nationality.
Other Nationality
Use the drop-down list to select any other nationality you may have.
Passport/EU identity card number
Please provide as requested.
Do you have the right to permanent residence in the UK/EU?
Tick yes or no.
Country of Birth
Use the drop-down list to select your country of birth.
Country of Domicile
Use the drop-down list to select the country you are currently residing in. If you are living in the UK you will need to select the country you live in (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales).

4. Contact Details

Please provide details for your permanent home address. This is the address with which you maintain a permanent connection and which all LSHTM correspondence will be addressed to. After entering your address, please select the ‘Preview Communication Address’ button to ensure that your address displays correctly. You must inform Admissions if any part of this data changes after you submit your application.

5. Education

Please provide details of each undergraduate and/or postgraduate institution that you have attended and provide details about all qualifications attained (maximum of 5). Academic transcripts will be required for your highest achieved qualification.

Details required for each qualification will include:

Institution name
Qualification type
Subject
Final/expected result
Country
Language of instruction
Start date (MM-YYYY)
End date or expected completion date (MM-YYYY)
Whether the course was taught by distance learning (yes/no)

6. Employment

Please provide details of your three most recent employment roles, demonstrating that you meet any application requirements regarding professional experience for your chosen programme.

Click on “Add other employment record” for each additional employment role you want to enter.

Details to be provided (most recent employment first):

Employer name
Position held
Start date (MM-YYYY)
End date (MM-YYYY)
Employer address
Responsibilities (max 1000 characters)

If you do not have any previous formal employment, you may add volunteering or internship experience in this section. Alternatively, select ‘no previous employment’.

If your employment is ongoing, please select a date in the future as your ‘end date’ so that you can submit your application. Please ensure details of your ongoing employment are included in your CV.

7. Referees

If you have studied in the last five years, then you should include a referee who is an academic familiar with your work. If you are currently or have been recently employed, then the second referee should be your current/recent employer. If you have not been recently employed, then the second referee should be another academic.

If you have hard copies of the references, you will be able to upload them in section 8: “Supporting documents”. If you upload your references then they must be on headed paper, signed by your referee, dated and in PDF format. Please note, we will not accept references written on your behalf for other purposes (e.g. for a job). References should be dated within the last 12 months.

Referees will be contacted via email upon submission of your application, so please make sure you have their correct work email address as well as their full work address and contact numbers. Our application portal does not accept personal email addresses for referees.

We strongly advise that you contact your referees prior to submitting your application to ensure that they are happy to provide a reference to support your application and to make them aware that we will be contacting them directly via email.

8. Personal Statement

Your personal statement is an important part of your application. It is your opportunity to create a unique picture of who you are and why you'll be successful in your chosen course of study.

Before writing your personal statement, we encourage you to carefully read the entry requirements for your chosen programme(s). Where the programme requires numeracy skills and/or desirable professional experience, please be sure to state how you meet this requirement in your statement and in the relevant sections of the application form.

Please answer each question carefully demonstrating your passion for your chosen subject area, why the programme is suitable for you and how it fits into your career plans (200 words maximum per question):

Please tell us why you have chosen to apply for this particular programme, what specifically motivates you about this subject?
Please tell us how your qualifications and studies to date have helped you to prepare for this programme
Please tell us how your chosen field of study fits into your career objectives

Please tell us what else you have done outside of education to prepare for your study and why these experiences are useful/relevant. We are particularly interested to hear about any relevant work experience or your achievements. This response will not be scored but will be taken into consideration when the assessor makes a decision on your application.

Finally, your personal statement should be personal to you and written by you. It is an opportunity to showcase your skills, ambitions and experiences in your own voice, which is what our academic colleagues are most interested in. The use of any AI tools are not permitted.

Please note, you can only submit one personal statement. If you are applying for two programmes, please ensure that the statement covers both choices.

9. Funding Details

Please use this section to indicate details of any scholarship funding you have either already been awarded, or for which you intend to apply. If you are responsible for the tuition fee payment yourself or with support from a relative or friend, please choose the option “self funded”.

Method of Funding

Please indicate who will be paying your tuition fees and living costs. If you are being sponsored to study at LSHTM, evidence of sponsorship awarded should be emailed to admissions@lshtm.ac.uk.

If you are applying for a scholarship via LSHTM, you will need to provide the exact title of the scholarship. For LSHTM scholarships details, please check our scholarship pages.
If you are intending to apply for a US Loan or a Career Development Loan please choose the "Applied For Sponsorship" option in the Method of Funding section and note 'US Loan' or 'CDL' in the "amount" text box found in the Sponsor Details section.
If you have partial sponsorship please choose the "Awarded Sponsorship" option from the Method of Funding section and note 'Partial sponsorship + amount' in the "amount" text box found in the Sponsor Details section.

Details entered here are not binding and will not affect consideration of your application for admission. Please note that you will be required to provide official confirmation of any financial sponsorship, in order to meet the financial conditions of offer.

10. Supporting Documents

In this section, you will need to upload all the documents supporting your application. Accepted file types are:

Text documents (.txt)
Microsoft Word documents (.doc, .docx)
Rich text documents (.rtf)
Adobe Acrobat documents (.pdf)

Please note that the maximum file size is 5MB.

In order to submit your application, you need to have the following mandatory documents ready to be uploaded:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resumé - see below for further guidance on writing your CV
Copy of a valid passport (photo page) or EU National ID card. If you are applying for a new passport, please let us know by uploading a note to confirm this.
Highest academic transcript (please include the reverse page of transcripts). If you are yet to complete your highest academic qualification, please submit an official interim transcript (an up to date copy of your results so far) along with your next highest academic qualification, if applicable. If your degree was not instructed in English, please provide copies of both the original language transcript and an official English translation stamped and signed by an official English translator or notary of the public.
Research degree proposal (PhD and DrPH applicants only)
Organisational and/or policy analysis outline (DrPH applicants only)

Additional Supporting Documents

Upload any additional supporting documents you may want to include (if applicable):

English test scores
Evidence of funding
Evidence of permanent residency
Qualification certificate
Reference letters

Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any amendments. If you wish to include any additional supporting documents later, please send these to admissions@lshtm.ac.uk by email.

11. Equal Opportunities

LSHTM values the diversity of its community and is committed to the creation of a positive environment which is fair, welcoming and inclusive, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applicants with varied experiences and diverse backgrounds, and are committed to ensure that no student with potential is deterred from applying.

Information provided is used solely for the purpose of monitoring application and admission rates and forms no part of the selection procedure. All information is confidential and will not be disclosed to the programme selection team.

If you do not wish to provide this information then please select 'Information Refused'.

12. Contextual Admissions

LSHTM recognises the value in diversity and aims to create a community that represents the full makeup of our society and welcomes students from all walks of life. We are aware that educational achievements can be influenced by a range of factors, so to make the admissions process fairer, to assess your attainment and potential, we aim to consider any barriers you may have faced and take account of the circumstances in which your grades have been achieved, rather than relying on results alone.

If you do not wish to provide the information requested, please select ‘Prefer not to say’ or 'Information Refused'.

13. Declaration & Submission

Declaration

Please ensure you have read and understood this section. By completing the box, you are confirming that the information in your application is correct and complete and that you understand and accept the terms of the application.

Flywire payment

Select the green ‘Begin Flywire payment’ button to make your application fee. This will take you to your unique Flywire payment portal where you payment can be made. If you have any queries, using the help chat button in the bottom-right corner of the screen to speak to a Flywire representative. Once this is completed, you must return to the Application Portal to submit your application.

Application submission

This is the last stage of the application process. You have the option to review your application and print it should you wish to keep a hard copy. Once you have made your application fee payment and are satisfied with the information you entered, press the ‘Submit your Application’ button.

After submission, you will receive an email from LSHTM confirming receipt of your application, which will include your application reference number. Please quote this reference in future communications with LSHTM Admissions.

CV guidance

When applying for study at LSHTM, you are required to include a CV with you application. This is an opportunity to summarise your academic, professional and personal achievements. Here we’ll explain what your CV should include, and how to make it the best it can be.

What is a CV?

A CV, curriculum vitae, or a resume, is a summary of your educational attainment, career history and any other experience that is relevant to the programme that you’re applying for. Your CV is just one aspect of your application. You’ll also provide a personal statement, references and academic transcripts. You CV should compliment your personal statement by providing extra evidence of your experience and qualifications.

How long should a CV be?

A CV is designed to briefly outline your achievements to date. As a rough guide, it should be 1-2 pages.

How do I write a CV?

Your CV should generally include the following sections:

Introduction

You may choose to include a brief introductory paragraph. If you are a studying for your undergraduate degree, include your course and prospective grade (or actual grade if you’re a recent graduate). If you’re in employment, include details of your occupation.

Education

List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order. Remember that your academic achievements are one of the most important things to showcase in your CV, so this section should be detailed. Mention any noteworthy achievements (such as impressive grades or awards), modules you studied that are especially relevant to your chosen programme, and your dissertation topic. The more recent (and relevant) the qualification, the more detail you’ll need to include. Summarise early qualifications (such as GCSEs) rather than listing them in full.

Experience

As with your academic qualifications, work history should be listed in reverse chronological order. As well as paid positions, include relevant voluntary roles or internships. If you have any academic experience (such as publications or conference papers) this should be emphasised.

Skills

These could include ‘soft’ skills (such as ability to work in a team or effective communication) or ‘hard’ skills (such as an understanding of data collection or proficiency in a second language).

Interests and achievements

You may wish to include some extra-curricular interests; these do not necessarily need to be directly related to your area of study. This is also an opportunity to showcase any other achievements.

References

You may wish to include contact details of two referees who will be able to provide a reference to support your application. You will provide referee details on the admissions portal as part of your application so this isn’t necessary to include on your CV as well.

Tips to improve your CV

Besides making sure you’ve included all relevant information, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your CV makes the best impression possible.

Proofread: always proof read your CV. Silly spelling and grammar mistakes do not make a good impression. You may wish to ask someone else to give it a final check.
Keep it concise: choose your words carefully, and only include relevant qualifications and experience. If your CV exceeds two pages, it might be worth making some edits.
Make it easy to read: limit font sizes and styles, avoid splitting sections across two pages, and break chunky paragraphs down into bullet points.
Don’t be generic: if you plan on submitting multiple applications, tailor each CV to the relevant programme of study.
Make use of careers services: if you have access to a careers service, take advantage! They’ll have the expertise to help fine-tune your CV.