MSc Health Policy, Planning & Financing London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

This programme aims to develop critical analysis of issues within health policy, planning and financing and to enable students to devise appropriate health policy responses. Students come from a wide range of backgrounds. This is a joint programme provided by LSHTM and the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE). The course provides training relevant to countries at all levels of development, although participants are able to specialise.

By the end of this programme students will be able to:

• comprehend and demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key principles of a diverse range of international and national health policies, including current and emerging trends
• comprehend and demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key principles of one or more disciplines relevant to the study of health policy, planning and financing (epidemiology, health economics, and other social sciences)
• comprehend and demonstrate specialist knowledge, critical understanding and skills in other areas selected from a range of options on the programme relevant to the study of health policy
• apply their conceptual and theoretical knowledge and skills using a multidisciplinary approach to formulate, design, implement, evaluate and appraise health policies and plans
• show competence, both written and verbal, in assessing and communicating empirical evidence and in consolidating and critically appraising debates relevant to issues of health policy
• demonstrate competence in key research and presentation skills, including the ability to plan and carry out a literature search, to critically review published literature, and to evaluate research findings

Graduates enter careers in global health and national health policy and planning, research, advisory or advocacy roles in governments and international agencies. Find out more about our graduate careers and destinations.

Entry requirements

In order to be admitted to an LSHTM master's degree programme, an applicant must:

• hold either a first degree at Second Class Honours (2:2) 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 a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.

or

• have relevant professional experience or training which is judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.

If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.

Additionally for the MSc Health Policy, Planning & Financing, applicants should ideally have prior work experience in areas relating to health, policy, planning and financing. Preference will be given to such candidates given the competitive nature of this course. A minimum of one year’s experience in health policy or public health related work is recommended.

Any undergraduate degree subject at Second Class Honours standard can be acceptable with a demonstrable commitment to health, policy, planning and financing.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirement, but who have relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.

• Postgraduate Taught Admissions Policy
• Admissions FAQs

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B

Please see our English Language Requirements FAQs for 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 the School.

Access and widening participation

At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel encouraged to apply to study with us. To that end, we have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to consider any barriers applicants may have faced and take account of the circumstances in which their grades have been achieved, rather than relying on results alone. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.