Switch to low bandwidth version Close

Masters Infectious Diseases (Distance Learning)

POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE,  DIPLOMA AND MASTERS BY DISTANCE LEARNING.

Who should apply?

This course provides a broad understanding of infectious diseases and is of particular relevance to in-service health professionals such as doctors or laboratory staff. You will develop strategies for the control and treatment of infectious diseases, acquiring new knowledge and updating your current expertise.

Course objectives

  • a comprehensive understanding of the role of biology of infective agents and hosts on the outcome of infection
  • the use of this knowledge, in combination with epidemiological and public health approaches, to develop rational strategies for the control and treatment of infection.

For a more detailed breakdown of how elements of the courses support and achieve learning objectives see the Programme Specification (PDF).

Support

  • a web-based learning environment (including web conferencing, allowing students to pose questions and engage in academic discussions with tutors and fellow students)
  • personalised feedback from teaching staff and advice on assignments
  • communicate with other distance learning students, either individually or through learning support groups
  • access to resources within the LSHTM library

Course summary

 Number of modulesCourse DurationCost (2013-2014)
MSc12 modules OR 9 modules plus a  project report2-5 years£11,650
Postgraduate Diploma8 modules2-5 years£9,200
Postgraduate Certificate4 modules1-5 years£6,775
Individual modulesStudying individual modules is an ideal option if you wish to update your professional knowledge or sample the programme. The fee is £1,695 per module.

Course Structure

  • Postgraduate Certificate: 4 modules (4 compulsory core modules)
  • Postgraduate Diploma: 8 modules (4 compulsory core plus 4 elective modules)
  • MSc: EITHER 12 modules (4 compulsory core plus and 8 elective) OR 9 modules (4 compulsory plus five elective) plus project report

The courses provide core training in infectious diseases. Students can choose to study an MSc, Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate (core modules only) or individual modules. The last option is ideal if you wish to sample the degree or update your professional knowledge.

Course structure

Postgraduate Certificate:

The Certificate comprises the 4 compulsory core modules, which are common to the Certificate, Diploma and MSc:  

After completion of the core modules, those registered for the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc must successfully pass a required number of elective modules to complete the award.

Postgraduate Diploma 

To complete the Postgraduate Diploma, students must choose 4 elective modules to complete the award; three of these must be from the IDM elective module list below.

The Masters Degree (MSc)

To complete the MSc, students must choose 4 elective modules from the IDM elective list below. Another 4 further elective modules may then be chosen from either the IDM modules or from the PHM2 list below.

Note that restrictions and pre-requisites may apply to some of the modules below. Not all modules will be available every year.

IDM elective modules

PHM2 elective modules

Project Report

Alternatively, with the permission of the Course Director, MSc students may choose to study five elective modules (four must be ID modules) and complete a project report (maximum 10,000 words) in their final year of study.

Combining DL studies with studies at the School - 'blended learning' study

After successful completion of a minimum number of core modules, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc students may also be eligible for the 'blended learning option', which allows for the study of up to two modules only (from a restricted list) at LSHTM in London during the Spring or Summer terms in place of distance learning modules. Please note that these options, and the dates when the modules are held at the School, are subject to change - full details will be sent to all DL students in July each year. The fee for attending the School's in-house modules is payable directly to LSHTM, not to the University of London International Programmes, and is in addition to the distance learning course fees.

Method of assessment
 
All distance learning modules are assessed by means of a two-hour unseen written examination (with 15 minutes planning/reading time at the start of the examination). Examinations are only held once a year, usually in June. Students may sit examinations in any one of a wide range of examination centres around the world.

Elective modules (i.e. modules other than the IDM1 modules) are assessed partly by the two-hour unseen written examination (70%) and partly by an assessed assignment (30%), submitted electronically to LSHTM by a set deadline.

Credits awarded

Credits will be awarded to all modules (15 credits each) and (MSc only) the project (45 credits) successfully completed. To successfully pass an award the following credits must be gained:

Postgraduate Certificate – 60 credits
Postgraduate Diploma – 120 credits
MSc – 180 credits

How you study

You study independently, at a time and pace that suits you (subject to some course-specific deadlines), using the comprehensive study materials provided, with learning support from our academic staff.

We know that if you have a full-time job, family or other commitments, and wish to study at a distance, you will have many calls on your time. We therefore allow you between 1-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Certificate, and between 2-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc.

The study year runs from the beginning of October through to the June exams, during which time tutorial support is available. Students carrying out projects are assigned personal supervisors to support their project work throughout the summer.

Study materials

You receive your study materials after you register. Study materials may include Subject guides, Readers, Textbooks, CD-ROMs/additional computer software, Past examination papers and Examiners’ reports, and Handbooks. You also have access to the school’s online library resources.

Academic Requirements

A 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 be considered.

Language Requirements

For awards at FHEQ level 7, students must provide satisfactory evidence showing that they have passed within the previous three years a test of proficiency in English at the following minimum level:

  • IELTS with an overall average of at least 7 with a minimum of 7 in written sub-test, or
  • TOEFL score of 600 (or 250 in the computerised test) and a minimum of 5 in the TWE, or
  • a British Council (IELTS) overall score of 7 or over with a minimum of 7 in the written sub-test, or
  • TOEFL iBT with  a minimum overall score of 100 including a minimum score of 24 in the test of written English taken within the last 3 years.

Where an applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University may, at its discretion, consider the application.  Further information on the English language tests and scores accepted by the School are available in the How to Apply section of the University of London International Programmes website.

Computer Requirements

Online access and general computer requirements
As one of our students you need to have regular access to a computer and the internet; this may be for accessing the Student Portal, downloading course materials from the Virtual Learning Environment, and accessing resources from the Online Library. You will also need to have access to appropriate software, for example, a PDF reader and suitable hardware capacity on your computer, e.g. for document storage. Additional requirements include that you have JavaScript and cookies enabled to access particular online systems, for example, the Student Portal.

Supported Browsers include:
Internet Explorer 7+
Firefox 5+
Chrome 13+

Screen resolution (recommended)
1024 x 768 or greater

Application for Study by Distance Learning

The School's distance learning courses are run in collaboration with the University of London International Programmes. Applications for the Distance Learning courses must be made direct to the University of London International Programmes. Applications should be made online here.
Alternatively, an application form may be downloaded from the above website and posted, together with evidence of academic qualifications and references, to the following address:
Postgraduate Admissions Office, University of London International Programmes, Ground floor, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DN, UK.
(Faxed or emailed applications will not be accepted.)
 
Applications must be received no later than 30 June. (Students applying to study individual modules rather than a full PG Certificate, Diploma or MSc award, may apply until 31 August.)
 

Alternatively, please contact:

The Information Centre, University of London, Stewart House, 32 Russell Square, London, WC1B 5DN

Email: 

Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8360
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8361
Tel: +44 (0)20 7862 8362
Fax: +44 (0)20 7862 8358

Back to top