This course aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and methods used in reproductive and sexual health research and to equip students with the principles, methods and research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research. It provides a non-clinical foundation in the main aspects of reproductive and sexual health: family planning, obstetric health and AIDS/STIs (not including laboratory-based studies). The MSc is Europe's only graduate course in reproductive health research, and is designed mainly for those interested in the developing world, but developed world issues are also accomodated.
Available Funding
This course is recognized by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the School scholarships information.
Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.
A prize is awarded each year to the student who has submitted the best project of the year for examination.
Course Duration
Full-time for one year or part-time over two years. Students taking the course over two years can choose to attend part-time throughout both years (this involves attending the School at least two days each week during term-time).
Alternatively, students taking the course by split study over two years attend full-time for part of Year 1, and then undertake the remainder of their course in Year 2. The split can occur anytime between the Christmas break and the end of the formal teaching in May, by prior arrangement with the Course Director. For split study, Paper 1 of the formal exams may be taken at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2. Paper 2 must be taken at the end of Year 2. Interested applicants should indicate their choice of study mode on the application form.
* Split study fees are calculated pro rata for the periods of attendance only. For example, students who've chosen a Term 1 split date will be charged approximately 12 weeks fees (at the Year 1 fee rate) for their first year of study, and approximately 38 weeks fees (at the Year 2 full-time fee rate) for their second year of studies.
" The School is a hub of activity and opportunity. Here I have met the very approachable names seen scattered across the top of Lancet articles. Andrea McDonald from New Zealand studied the MSc in Reproductive & Sexual Health Research - Full profile
Objectives
By the end of this course students should be able to
- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues
- critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes
- demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health
- identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines
- carry out research activities to identify effective components of reproductive and sexual health services within programmes
Programme specifications: A comprehensive summary of the key elements of the degree, including educational aims and intended learning outcomes, plus details on programme structure, assessment requirements, student support and more.
Term 1
Students take the following compulsory modules: Basic Epidemiology; Foundations in Reproductive Health; Principles of Social Research; Statistics for Epidemiology and Population Health. Further optional modules include: Extended Epidemiology; Health Policy, Process & Power; Introduction to Health Economics; Population Studies.
Terms 2 and 3
Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2 etc.). One module (in D2) is compulsory. A typical selection of modules is given below; not all modules will be available in any one year. Compulsory modules are shown in italics.
C1 slot: Research Design & Analysis; Designing Disease Control Programmes in Developing Countries; Health Care Evaluation; Health Promotion Approaches and Methods; Maternal & Child Nutrition.
C2 slot: Family Planning Programmes; Population, Poverty & Environment; Conflict & Health; Design and Analysis of Epidemiological Studies; Qualitative Methodologies; Statistical Methods in Epidemiology.
D1 slot: Current Issues in Safe Motherhood and Perinatal Health; Social Epidemiology; Medical Anthropology in Public Health; Sociological Approaches to Health.
D2 slot: Sexual Health.
E slot: AIDS; Proposal Development; Analysing Survey & Population Data; Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Advanced Statistical Methods in Epidemiology; Applying Public Health Principles in Developing Countries; Proposal Development
A restricted number of modules may be taken by self-study, using electronic access teaching material.
Further details for the course modules can be found here.
Project Report
Students complete a research project. Acceptable types of project are: data analysis; a project proposal; an original literature or policy review.
Students normally remain in London for the preparation of their project report. Exceptionally, and only if appropriate, part of the project period may be spent away from the School, whether in the UK or abroad. Arrangements for this must be discussed and agreed with the Course Director.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must normally satisfy LSHTM’s general entrance requirements and additional programme-specific entrance requirements to be considered for admission. Applications must be submitted in accordance with the procedures and deadlines given in the web-based or printed prospectus.
The normal minimum entrance qualification for registration is at least a second-class Honours degree of a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, or a registerable qualification in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies appropriate to the programme.
Applications with an appropriate technical qualification, or equivalent qualification and experience from overseas, are also welcomed.
Any prospective student who does not meet the above minimum entry requirement, but who has relevant professional experience, may still be eligible for admission. The Registry can advise on eligibility to apply in such cases.
Application for London-based Study
Applications can be made online by using the following links:
- MSc Reproductive and Sexual Health Research 2013/4 (Full time)
- MSc Reproductive and Sexual Health Research 2013/4 (Part time)
- MSc Reproductive and Sexual Health Research 2013/4 (Split study)
Alternatively, applications can be downloaded here:
Paper applications should be sent either by post to The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom or by email to registry@lshtm.ac.uk
Instructions on how to complete these forms and an outline of the application process are available with the relevant Application Forms or by viewing the Online Application Guidelines.
Please note: You must send a copy of the personal details and photograph page of your passport with your application form.
Your application will not be considered until you have provided the above documents.
Masters Courses
Applicants wishing to be considered for School scholarships are advised to apply by 1 March 2013. 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, 30 September 2013.
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 30 September 2013 and last one year for full-time study or two years for part-time study.
