London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

This programme equips students with skills needed to appreciate and analyse the state of public health in low- and middle-income countries and to design and evaluate actions to address public health concerns. We consider public health and the provision of health services from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Students on the MSc Public Health for Development have substantial experience of planning or implementing public health programmes, of teaching or public-health-related research and wish to hone their critical professional skills. They have been based in low- or middle-income countries for two years or more, engaged in public health efforts in a range of contexts which may include Ministries of Health or NGOs in stable states, conflict areas or humanitarian relief.  We complement formal teaching with peer learning that builds on this professional experience and frames knowledge of public health within a development context. Students participate in an award-winning seminar series in which they examine their public health experience in light of material studied on the programme.

Students develop public health research skills including statistics and epidemiology, and build on these to tailor a programme to suit their professional needs. In the summer, students undertake a supervised research project which focuses on a Public Health question in a low- or middle-income country.

Funding opportunities can be found on the LSHTM website.

Entry requirements

Applicants for the MSc Public Health for Development are expected to have lived in a developing country and worked in activities related to public health for a minimum of two years.

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 LSHTM.

Closing date

  • All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability of a place and a timely decision on their application. This is particularly important for applicants with sponsorship deadlines.
  • Applications open in November, and close in early August.

Deadline for responding to your offer

Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admissions within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. Please note that payment of a £500 deposit becomes payable within this period upon acceptance. It is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM.