Applying to Study at the School

Application for London-based Study

Application for Masters degrees in London must be made using the School's MSc Application Forms.

Application for Research degrees (MPhil/PhD or DrPH) and for occasional research study in London must be made using the School's Research Application Forms

Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms.

The MSc and Research Application Packs are also available from: The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, 50 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3DP. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4646 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7323 0638 E-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk).

(a) Masters Courses

Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2010. Please note that this is not a closing date. Although we accept applications all year round, other applicants are also advised to apply before this date as courses can become full rapidly. While early application is encouraged, late applications are always considered until all places on the course have been filled. All applicants should be able to start the course on the first day of the academic year, 27 September 2010.

All Masters courses are offered on a part-time basis over two years. Students interested in part-time study should contact the appropriate Course Organiser, via the Registry, to discuss course requirements and likely timetables, and should read the Masters degree information.

There are two ways of undertaking part-time study:

1) attending part-time throughout the two years: Students need to be available for up to four or five half days every week for 27 weeks per year. Evidence may be required to prove that applicants are able to commit this minimum period of time to their study

2) attending full-time for modules in the first two terms in Year 1 (September-March), and undertaking third term modules, exams and project in Year 2 (April - September). Such an option may be attractive to applicants who are unable to be released from employment for a continuous twelve-month period. This option is called split study.

All courses commence on 27 September 2010 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.

(b) MPhil/PhD, DrPH and Occasional Studies

Although there is no closing date for applications for occasional studies or for the degrees of MPhil and PhD, it is strongly recommended that applications for the DrPH should be made by 1 March as studies begin in September of each year. The start of the 2010-11 academic session is 27 September 2010.

Applications for admission to the School should be made to the Registry and not directly to academic departments. All applicants should include with their application a short research proposal (maximum 1,500 words including footnotes and references). This should indicate the area in which the student wishes to specialise enabling the application to be directed to appropriate potential supervisors. The research proposal is also an important way of indicating the extent to which the student already understands the background to their proposed research, and the range of methods which may be employed. In addition, it will help the School to decide whether coursework may be required in the first year. Applicants for DrPH studies should indicate where they would prefer to carry out their professional attachment.

An important part of the research application is a short (maximum 1,500 words) research proposal written by the applicant. This will indicate the area in which the student wishes to specialise enabling the application to be directed to appropriate potential supervisors. The research proposal is also an important way of indicating the extent to which the student already understands the background to their proposed research, and the range of methods which may be employed. This also helps the School to decide whether extensive coursework may be required in the first year. Applicants for DrPH studies should indicate where they plan to spend their period of professional attachment.

(c) Short Study Programme

Students wishing to apply for short courses or individual MSc programme modules should obtain the appropriate application form via the Short Course and Module Applications page of the website or by contacting the Registry.

Application for Study by Distance Learning

Application for MSc by distance learning courses should be made using the University of London’s application form which can be obtained from the University at the addresses given below. Application forms should be submitted by post to the University by 30 June together with the accompanying documentation detailed on the application form. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

The application form is available at: www.londonexternal.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7862 8360/8361/8362 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7862 8358 E-mail: enquiries@external.lon.ac.uk

Applications and requests for further information for distance learning courses should be addressed to: The Information Centre, The External Programme, Senate House, University of London, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU, United Kingdom.

Admission

Successful applicants will be sent a formal offer of admission. This offer will contain conditions which must be met before an applicant can commence study. These may include proof of proficiency in English or proof that funds are available to meet the cost of study.

Qualifications for Admission

The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration is at least one of the following:

• a Second-class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a subject appropriate to that of the course of study to be followed
• a registerable qualification appropriate to the course of study to be followed, in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies
• a Masters degree in a subject appropriate to the course of study to be followed
• for DrPH candidates, a minimum of two years’ appropriate experience and, normally, a Master’s degree are required.

Candidates who do not meet the minimum entry requirement above but who have relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. They should contact the Registry who can assess their eligibility to apply.

Candidates should check individual course entries for additional qualifications or experience required. Candidates requiring advice on their eligibility should contact the Registry enclosing details of all courses they have taken, including the official name of the qualification, course entry requirements, the length and contents of the course, and examination structure, as well as the examination results obtained. In some instances when applying for DrPH, MPhil or PhD places, candidates may be required to register for a related MSc course at the School before being allowed to register for a research degree. In such cases, registration for the research degree will be dependent upon a satisfactory level of achievement in the MSc, usually well above the minimum required to pass the MSc.

In some areas of clinical research, General Medical Council registration and medical defence cover may also be required.

Proficiency in English

It is essential that students should have an adequate command of the English language to benefit from studies at the School. Candidates will be required to obtain an acceptable score in an approved English Language Test if their first language is not English or if their studies at university have not been conducted wholly in the medium of English. The School may also request an applicant to take a test even if the above conditions have been met. Details of the English tests accepted by the School are as follows:

• Princeton Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  Test of English as a Foreign Language,
  PO Box 6151,
  Princeton,
  New Jersey, 08541-6151,
  USA.
  or at www.toefl.org
  

  Paper Based Test
  The School requires a minimum overall score of at 600 including a minimum score of 5.0 in the test of written English

  Computer Based Test
  The School requires a minimum overall score of at least 250 including a minimum score of 5.0 in the test of written English

  Internet Based Test
  The School requires a minimum overall score of at least 100 including a minimum score of 24 in the test of written English

  To ensure that the School receives your TOEFL score as quickly as possible, please enter the School's institution code, 0499, on your answer sheet when you take the test

• British Council International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  The British Council,
  Bridgewater House,
  58 Whitworth Street,
  Manchester M1 6BB,
  United Kingdom.
  or at www.ielts.org or from British Council offices worldwide.
  Tel: +44 (0) 161 957 7000
  
  The School accepts a minimum score of 7.0 overall (including a minimum score of 7.0 in the written component).

• Pearson Test of English - PTE Academic
  Please see the Pearson website for contact details
  Further information about the Pearson Academic test can be found by clicking here.

  The School requires a minimum score of 68 overall and a minimum score of 68 in the written component.
  

Intensive courses in English are held by the British Council and other organisations. Further information may be obtained from British Council offices overseas, the British Council website at: www.britishcouncil.org or from:
Education Information Service of the British Council,
10 Spring Gardens,
London SW1A 2BN,
United Kingdom.

or the:
Association of Recognised English Language Schools ARELS-FELCO,
2 Pontypool Place,
Valentine Place,
London SE1 8QF,
United Kindgom.
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7242 3136
or at www.englishuk.com

References

Applications will not be considered without academic references. Application forms should be accompanied with at least one reference. Applications submitted without references will be held in Registry until references are received.

Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must also submit a detailed Curriculum Vitae or Résumé with their application.

Evidence of Qualifications

All applicants will be required to provide evidence of their academic qualifications before the start of the course. Applicants who receive an offer of a place at the School will be provided with a Statement of Qualifications form which should be sent to their previous university or college for them to confirm their academic qualifications. This completed form, or other original evidence of previous qualifications, should be sent to the Registry. In addition, students who did not undertake studies in the UK should arrange for a full transcript of their academic record to accompany the application form. It is strongly recommended that all applicants send a transcript of their studies with their application form.

Applicants with Disabilities

The School welcomes applications from students with disabilities and aims to offer as much assistance as possible to accommodate your needs. The School will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the application procedure, courses and examinations are organised and delivered to give the best opportunity for full participation by all students. Please let Registry know if there is anything further that can be done to make the application and selection process as accessible as possible.

Applicants with a disability (including long-term medical conditions and dyslexia) can contact disability support staff based in the Registry. They will discuss applicants needs and any support required. They are also available to provide confidential advice and support and to answer queries at any point in a students studies.