Infectious Diseases by Distance Learning London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

These programmes provide a broad understanding of infectious diseases through the core modules in public health, biostatistics and epidemiology, and the biology and control of infectious diseases which are taken by all students, together with the subsequent opportunities for specialised study in areas of the student’s own choice. 

The Infectious Diseases programmes draw upon the School’s long tradition in the study of clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious and tropical diseases. Providing a broad understanding of infectious diseases, together with developing strategies for their control and treatment, the courses will be of particular relevance to in-service health professionals, such as doctors or laboratory staff who either wish to acquire new knowledge in infectious diseases or update their current expertise.

These programmes are aimed both at recent graduates who wish to pursue an advanced degree, and at people who took their first training some time ago and wish to update their knowledge in this rapidly evolving field or who wish to change career direction.

Entry requirements

Academic Requirements

All applicants are required to have:

A first or second class honours degree or the equivalent, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London, in a scientific subject (e.g. biology, medicine, nursing, dentistry, veterinary science, pharmacy) or in another scientific discipline which has, in the opinion of the University, included suitable preliminary training.

Applicants with an appropriate technical qualification and work experience will also be considered.

Qualifications from around the world are accepted; for further guidance please see the School's qualifications for entrance. Students who do not satisfy the entrance requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.

English language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved one of the following within the past three years:

• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with 6.5 in the written test and 5.5 in listening, reading and speaking.
• TOEFL iBT: 100 overall, with 24+ in writing, 23+ in speaking, 22+ in reading and 21+ in listening.
• Pearson Test (Academic): 68 overall, with 62+ in writing and 59+ in listening, reading and speaking.
• Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English: 185 overall, with 176+ in writing and 169+ in listening.
• Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 130.

Alternatively, you may satisfy the language requirements if you have at least 18 months of education or work experience conducted in English.

If you do not meet these requirements but believe you can meet the standard, the University of London may also consider your application.

Additional requirements

The computer should have at least the following minimum specification:  

• a web browser with Cookies and JavaScript enabled (latest version of Firefox or Chrome is recommended)
• a good internet connection
• screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater
• sufficient bandwidth to download documents/files of at least 50 MB

And the following applications installed: 

• Word processing software, for example Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx)
• PDF reader, for example Adobe Acrobat Reader

A headset/microphone may be required to participate in "real time" online discussions.