Facilities
Libraries
As well as the School's own library, there are many libraries within easy reach of the School which are available for use by students. Some are detailed below but School Library staff are always available to assist students to locate what they need whether it is obtainable within the School or has to be borrowed from another library.
School Library
The Library has a comprehensive collection of books, journals and reports in the field of international public health and tropical medicine in the world. It holds some 80,000 books and pamphlets and over 4,000 journal titles, of which nearly 900 are current. It receives publications from the World Health Organization and other international bodies.
Copies of each book required for Taught Courses are held in the Library, but students are advised to buy standard textbooks.
In addition to books and journals, a number of databases are available for searching via the School network. They include Medline/Pubmed (1966-), Health Management, Popline (1970-), EMBase (similar to Medline), SCISearch (Science Citation Index) and Social SCISearch (Social Sciences Citation Index), African Healthline, PsycInfo, CAB Abstracts (1972-) and the Cochrane Library. The Library also subscribes to a number of other databases on compact disc available within the Library.
The Library also has a number of archive collections relating to the history of public health and tropical medicine, including some administrative records of the School, the papers of Sir Ronald Ross (awarded the Nobel Prize in 1902 for his proof of the mosquito transmission of malaria) and an extensive photographic archive.
Introductory lectures and orientation sessions are given at the start of the session when guidance is given on how to use the Library facilities. Throughout the year lunchtime and evening training sessions which are open to all, are given in effective searching of databases and the Internet, as well as timetabled sessions in information skills in selected Study Units and classes.
A Library Guide is given to students during the induction period. This guide, and further information about the School's Library is available at: www.lshtm.ac.uk/library
Libraries of the University of London
Students of the School have reference-only access to the libraries of all institutions of the University. Those of interest in the vicinity are: Birkbeck College , Institute of Education , London School of Economics and Political Sciences, School of Oriental and African Studies and University College London. The latter, particularly, has excellent clinical and science collections.
British Library
The British Library, 96 Euston Road , London NW1, is a short walk from the School and has one of the world's most comprehensive collections of books and journals in all disciplines, and is open for reference to all members of the School.
Wellcome Library for the History & Understanding of Medicine
This Library is situated adjacent to the Wellcome Trust near the School and is a unique reference library of the history of medicine and allied subjects. It houses numerous runs of journals and reports formerly held by the School's Library.
Public Libraries
All public libraries allow borrowing by those students living or working in their local area. Students wishing to borrow from libraries outside the area in which they live, should contact those libraries directly.
IT Support
The School's central computing facilities consist of high-powered public work-stations from which students can access a multitude of networked software and services including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheets, statistical packages, graphics, bibliographical databases and the Internet. The computer network extends to all departments in the School and is connected to SuperJANET, the network which links all British universities. Each computer room is equipped with facilities for teaching computing and students are given training in the use of standard software packages and bibliographical databases. A computing advisory service is available to assist students with their individual computing problems, and the School's Library has a collection of manuals and videos relevant to the software provided on the network.
The School also operates a wireless network. Students bringing their laptops can arrange to have a wireless card installed, allowing use of the School network wherever there is a wireless point.
Students may also avail of Blackboard, LSHTM's virtual learning environment. Blackboard enables lecturers to create on-line course support pages which can only be accessed by students on the particular module. It has the capability to be used as a focus for learning activities. It is an environment where online interactions can take place between learners and tutors.
Healthcare
Students whose courses last more than six months
If your course of study is for 6 months or more, you will qualify for treatment under the NHS (National Health Service), from the beginning of your stay. This includes consulting a doctor (GP) and most hospital treatment. This will also apply to your spouse and children (under the age of 16, or 19 if in further education) if they are living with you in the UK for the duration of your course. When you arrive, you will need to register with a GP – most students can register with the Central Institutions Health Service near the School. However, you may need to pay for some services, such as medicines or vaccinations, as well as dental and optical treatment.
Students whose courses last less than six months
We recommend that students on courses of less than 6 months take out private medical insurance as you may only qualify for free treatment in an emergency. If you do not have medical insurance, and you become ill or have an accident, then it could be very expensive for you. Some countries, including those in the EEA, have a reciprocal health care agreement in the UK, and this would usually cover hospital treatment if you become ill whilst in the UK, even if your course is less than 6 months. A list of these countries is on the Department of Health's website.
Alternative Medicine
London has a number of practitioners providing treatments such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, osteopathy, acupuncture and aromatherapy. This is not normally available on the NHS but General Practitioners may be willing to provide information on local facilities. If not, contact the Institute for Complementary Medicine, PO Box 194 , London , SE16 7QZ . Telephone: 020 7237 5165. Website
The UKCISA (Council for International Student Affairs) website will provide you with further information on Healthcare.
Childcare
If you plan to bring your children with you to the UK and you would like for them to attend a school or nursery, you should make arrangements for this well in advance of your arrival in the UK . Your child may be eligible for a place at a school within the state education system, usually if he or she is four years old or above. If you need to find childcare for children under the age of four, you will need to pay for this. For further advice, please contact the Student Adviser, Frankie Edwards as early as possible.
University of London Union
The University of London Union (ULU) provides welfare, social, cultural and sports facilities for University of London students. The Union building in Malet Street is open to members of the Union and has a bar and refectory (open throughout the day), lounges, a swimming pool, gymnasium, rooms for billiards, table tennis, television and music, badminton and squash courts, an assembly hall and stage. There are also shops selling sportswear, stationery, food, drinks and general items, and there are cash machines, travel facilities and an optician. Membership is free to all students registered at the School. Full information on ULU services is on their website.
Sports
Although the School has no sports facilities of its own, its students may use all the facilities of the University of London Union and International Students' House (see below) which are within a few minutes walk of the School.
National Union of Students (NUS)
Full and part-time students of the School are automatically members of the National Union of Students. Membership allows discounts on tickets for cinemas, theatres and nightclubs and also discounts in selected shops and restaurants; it also offers the opportunity to contribute to the well-being of students nationally. For further information visit their website.
Student Representative Council (SRC)
The SRC is the student body of the School and they will strive to make your time at the School a memorable one. The Council consists of student representatives from each course group (Research and MSc) who are elected at the start of each academic year. They are concerned with academic and facility issues at the School and discussions are held either through individual course committees or with the Director of the School at “Director's SRC Lunch” meetings. The SRC arrange social events, both School-wide and course-specific, throughout the year.
International Student House
The School takes out membership of International Students House (ISH) on behalf of all its overseas students. ISH is a unique residence and social club in the centre of London, open 365 days a year for international and UK students who study in London. Membership entitles you to make use of the late night student bars, restaurants, free cinema, discos, cyber café, lectures, travel club, sports activities and cultural events. For further information, visit their website.
HOST
Students registered at the School have the opportunity to spend time in a British home for a short stay over a weekend or during vacations. These visits are free of charge and you only have to pay for your travel there and back. This is a unique opportunity to find out more about British culture – from the inside. For further information: www.hostuk.org.
