Infectious Diseases

For the MSc: You complete 12 modules or 9 modules plus a project report:

• 4 compulsory modules.

Plus either (once a minimum of 3 core modules have been passed):

• 8 electives (at least 6 from the Infectious Diseases group). The remainder may include Public Health or blended learning.
• Or 5 electives (at least 3 from the Infectious Diseases group) plus a project report.

For the Postgraduate Diploma: You complete 8 modules.

• 4 compulsory modules.
• 4 elective modules (at least 3 from the Infectious Diseases group, once a minimum of 3 core modules have been passed.)

For the Postgraduate Certificate: You complete 4 modules.

• 4 compulsory modules

Individual modules: Study our modules individually to update your knowledge or sample the programme.

View modules

• Download the Programme Specification
• View Programme Regulations

This programme has one intake date per year: October.

These individual module dates do not include Clinical Trials (CTM) modules.

Please note, anyone registering after September cannot request an extension to assignment deadlines or extenuating circumstances.

The programme is offered online and is fully supported by a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You study at a time and pace that suits you (subject to certain deadlines), using the study materials provided and with support available from academic staff.

Study materials

Your study materials may include subject guides, textbooks, past examination papers, and handbooks.

All of your study materials are made available in October.

Online support

When you register, we will give you access to your University of London Student Portal. You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources:

• The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) enables access to course materials, resources, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others. Tutors are available to answer queries and promote discussion during the study year through the VLE.
• The LSHTM library resources
• The Online Library provides access to over 100 million academic electronic items comprising E-books, E-journals, conference proceedings, etc. In addition, students can request items which are not held in the library via the library's Inter-Library loans service with the British Library.
• Senate House Library provides free reference access for all registered distance and flexible learning students.

Teaching staff facilitate and moderate online discussions, respond to academic enquiries, and provide personalised written feedback and advice on assignments.

Student Support

We are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience for all of our students, regardless of which of our programmes you are studying and whether you are studying independently or with a Recognised Teaching Centre.

You will have access to support through:

• The Student Advice Centre – provides support for application and Student Portal queries.
• TalkCampus – a peer support service that offers a safe and confidential way to talk about whatever is on your mind at any time of day or night.

Time commitment

You should expect to study for 15-25 hours per week throughout the study year if you wish to complete your qualification in the minimum time allowed (one year for the Postgraduate Certificate, two years for the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc). Most students take between three and five years to complete the MSc.

Assessment

This varies from module to module but will include a combination of unseen written examinations and written assignments. More details can be found on course pages.

Exams are held in June each year. You can sit exams at an approved centre anywhere in the world (mainly Ministries of Education or the British Council). Each centre charges a fee for hosting exams.

More about exams.

What qualifications do you need?

For entry to the programme, you will need either:

• the equivalent of a UK first or second-class honours degree in a relevant subject from an acceptable institution.
• or, an appropriate professional or technical qualification, plus three years' relevant experience.

Find equivalent qualifications where you live.

If you do not meet the above standard requirements, we can still consider your application on the basis of your qualifications and experience. In these instances, once you apply online, we will contact you with a request for two references to support your application before referring on for academic consideration.

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, we may also consider your application.

Computer requirements

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly.

View the Programme specification to see the computer requirements for this programme.

Early payment fee reduction

An early payment fee reduction of 5 per cent  (up to £840 for a full MSc) is available on any distance learning programme offered by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, if paid in full before 31 July  for the academic year 2023/24.

For fees paid in full between 1 and 31 July, the application fee will be reimbursed where applicable. Terms and conditions apply.

The programme fees below refer to the 2023–2024 session only and are effective from 1 December 2022. These may be increased by up to 5 per cent per year.

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool.

*The indicative totals include the application fee, all module and continuation fees payable to the University of London for the duration of your study, as well as online tutor support. This fee does not include applications for Recognition of Prior Learning, local exam centre fees and fees payable to University of London Recognised Teaching Centres.

More about programme fees.

Additional Costs

You will also need to budget for exam centre fees, which are paid directly to the venues where you sit your exams.

How to pay your fees

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Further information about fee payment options can be found in the “How to pay your fees” link above.

Successful students should have enhanced career prospects within the health professions. If you complete the MSc, it may enable you to progress for further study in infectious diseases.

"My proudest moment has been applying my technical knowledge to my work. I was instrumental in the introduction of new vaccine antigens (pneumonia and rota virus) for my country’s immunisation programme. The country was among the first in the region to introduce life-saving vaccines for children."

Dr Elizabeth Wala, Kenya

What do employers think of our graduates?

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has an international presence, and is renowned for its research, postgraduate studies and continuing education in public and global health. It was crowned University of the Year in 2016 by Times Higher Education for its extraordinary response to the Ebola crisis.

The Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases encompasses the School’s laboratory-based research and its work on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious and tropical diseases. The spectrum of diseases studied is wide and there are major research groups focused on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, vaccine development and evaluation, and vector biology and disease control.

Academic leaders

Dr Patricia Gorak-Stolinska is Lecturer in the Immunology Department and Programme Director of the MSc Infectious Diseases. Her teaching interests are in parasitology and immunology. Patricia first joined the School in 1994 to work on Leishmaniasis, before returning after a short spell at Kings College London, in 2002, to work on immunity to BCG vaccine.

Dr Anita Skinner is Research Fellow in the Department of Pathogen Molecular Biology and Deputy Director of the MSc Infectious Diseases programme. Anita undertook postdoctoral research on drug resistance of the influenza virus at the National Institute for Medical Research before returning to the School in 2014. Her teaching interests include the biology of infection.

Dr Jackie Cliff is Lecturer in the Department of Immunology and Infection and Course Content Director of the Infectious Diseases programme. A former graduate of the course, Jackie investigates immune responses to tuberculosis. Her research is directed at identifying the host bio-markers that can determine when a TB patient has been successfully cured. Jackie teaches immunology and infection, particularly tuberculosis.

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study.

Can I get sponsored?

If you are employed, your employer may be willing to cover part/all of the programme fee if you can make a compelling case as to how this programme will boost your contribution to the workplace.

Our courses are ideal for employers because they get to retain you as an employee and benefit from your learning from the moment you begin.

Free online courses

The School offers several free online courses on a wide range of health topics. These provide a great insight into the independent learning experience.

See a full list

Open days

The School holds regular open days in London. You can come and meet staff and students and receive a tour of the School.

Find the next open day.