Studying tropical medicine abroad
What is tropical medicine?
Tropical medicine is the study of diseases that occur mainly in tropical and subtropical regions. It focuses on understanding, preventing, and treating illnesses caused by infections, parasites, and environmental factors. Topics include malaria, dengue, yellow fever, neglected tropical diseases, and the effects of climate and living conditions on health.
The subject draws on knowledge from microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, and public health. As a tropical medicine student, you will learn how diseases develop, how they spread, and how to control and treat them. Your studies may take you from laboratories to hospitals, rural clinics, and field research in communities affected by tropical diseases.
Why study tropical medicine abroad?
Studying tropical medicine in another country allows you to experience the real-world challenges of managing infectious diseases. You could observe mosquito control programs, participate in vaccination campaigns, or work with local health teams in tropical regions. These experiences help you understand global health issues more deeply than classroom learning alone.
Studying abroad also exposes you to diverse healthcare systems and research methods. You will develop cross-cultural communication skills and build international networks with health professionals, researchers, and organisations working in global health.
What you will study
Tropical medicine programs combine classroom theory with practical experience. Key areas of study may include:
- Infectious Diseases – understanding diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and viral infections.
- Epidemiology – studying how diseases spread and affect populations.
- Parasitology – examining parasites that cause human illness.
- Public Health and Prevention – learning strategies to control disease outbreaks.
- Environmental and Social Health – exploring how living conditions influence disease.
- Research and Data Analysis – collecting and interpreting health data for evidence-based decisions.
Many programs also include field trips, internships in hospitals or community clinics, and opportunities to work with global health organisations.
Related subjects you might also enjoy:
- Global Health
- Infectious Disease Control
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Environmental Health
Accreditation
At undergraduate level, you may graduate with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Tropical Medicine, Global Health, or a related field. Some programs combine tropical medicine with public health or biomedical studies.
At postgraduate level, options include a Master of Science (MSc) or Master of Research (MRes) in Tropical Medicine, Infectious Diseases, or Global Health. Specialisations may focus on parasitology, epidemiology, vaccine development, or outbreak management. A PhD is usually needed for research or academic careers.
Professional accreditation may be available in some countries for public health specialists, epidemiologists, or tropical medicine practitioners through recognised medical boards or public health institutions.
Careers
A degree in tropical medicine can lead to careers in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and international health organisations. Graduates may work as infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, or public health advisors.
Other career paths include roles in disease prevention programs, health education, vaccine development, and outbreak management. Opportunities also exist in humanitarian organisations, government health departments, and research labs.
Tropical medicine graduates develop skills that are in demand globally, giving them the chance to make a real impact on the health and wellbeing of populations in tropical and subtropical regions.