The Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases encompasses laboratory-based research as well as research on the clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious and tropical diseases. The range of disciplines represented is very broad and interdisciplinary research is a feature of much of the activity. The spectrum of diseases studied is wide, including major groups with a focus on malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, eye disease, vaccine evaluation, and vector biology and control.
The Faculty is organised into four research departments comprising: Clinical Research; Disease Control; Immunology and Infection; and Pathogen Molecular Biology. The Faculty has strong overseas links which provide a basis for field studies and international collaborations in developed and developing countries for DrPH and PhD students interested in global health. The Faculty provides a stimulating environment for research and postgraduate teaching at the doctoral level. Funding opportunities for research degrees training include Medical Research Council Studentships, studentships held jointly with other colleges of the Bloomsbury Colleges, and funded Graduate Teaching Assistantships available for designated areas of research. In the last few years substantial investment has provided newly refurbished and modern facilities for laboratory-based research.
| The number of research students 2011/12 from different regions of the world was: | ||
| UK | 47 | |
| Rest of Europe | 21 | |
| Rest of the World | 78 | |
The wide range of scientific interests and the geographic diversity of the research projects offer a unique opportunity for prospective research students to participate in the work of a dynamic and stimulating group of internationally renowned researchers. The Faculty welcomes applications from students wishing to study for either a PhD or DrPH. Research students become members of one of the four Research Departments, participating in the full range of the Department's academic and social activities. Students are allocated a supervisor, and hence a Research Department, based on their research interests and disciplinary area. A comprehensive research skills training programme is provided. Meetings and social events are organised at intervals throughout the year to encourage students to get to know each other and to develop a supportive environment.
The work of the Faculty and therefore the opportunities for training, is detailed under each Department.
The School is committed to the improvement of global health through its research and study programmes.
The School’s wide-ranging research programmes examine ways of improving and promoting health and health services and investigate the aetiology, diagnosis and prevention or control of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Basic laboratory research aims to improve understanding of the molecular mechanisms of host-pathogen interactions, and more applied work investigates diagnostic methods and therapeutic intervention. Research covers a wide range of topics and areas; these can be found by looking at the Department pages below.
The work of the School is multidisciplinary and therefore much of its research crosses disciplines, departments and faculties. This is enhanced by interfaculty centres and groups that focus on specific issues. Many research programmes are carried out in collaboration with institutions outside the UK. Such collaborative work enhances the quality of the training experience and is one of the unique aspects of training at the School.
Research training opportunities available throughout the Faculty can be found in the link below:
Introduction
The DrPH is intended for leaders and future leaders in public health who want a flexible career which combines high level leadership, management and research. Entry criteria for the DrPH are the same as for the PhD, except that relevant experience in public health management and/or leadership is required.
The DrPH programme is intended for leaders and future leaders in public health practice. The intellectual and academic standards are as high as that of the PhD, and the programme aims to equip its graduates with the experience to deal with the particular challenges of understanding and adapting scientific knowledge in order to achieve public health gains as well as the analytical and practical skills required by managers and leaders in public health. To be effective managers and leaders in public health the DrPH graduates they need to be equipped not only with the expertise to conduct and evaluate research, but also the skills crucial for leadership roles in public health policy and practice. Entry criteria for the DrPH are the same as for the PhD except that relevant experience in public health management and/or leadership is required. The rigour and volume of the work are doctoral level, and appropriate to the personal development of senior public health professionals. Opportunities for undertaking the DrPH programme are available in all the School's faculties.
The programme
The DrPH has three main components, each of which contributes to the award of the degree:
- A taught component
- A The Organisational and Policy Analysis (OPA) Project giving the opportunity of reflecting on public health practice in the real world
- A research project leading to the production of a thesis
The Taught Component
This consists of two modules which are taken during the first term. These are compulsory core modules and cover research methods and paradigms, the management of effective communications in public health practice and policy and leadership skills in public health. The modules are taught in London between the end of September and December.
Students are not required to take any other modules but may, throughout the remainder of the course, choose to study some MSc Modules, for example, to cover particular skills that will assist with other DrPH components, allowing them to tailor the course to their individual backgrounds and needs
The Organisational and Policy Analysis (OPA) Project
Normally taken before carrying out the research project, this gives students the opportunity to observe closely the working of one public health organisation, and from this to develop a better understanding of how to design and develop effective public health organisations. The OPA project usually involves 3 - 6 months 'fieldwork' based in a public health organization observing and analysing its operations. The project is assessed on the basis of a written report not exceeding 12,000 words. Progression to the OPA project component is subject to successful completion of the two compulsory core modules and the OPA project report is normally submitted before commencing the research project phase of the DrPH programme.
Research Project
The purpose of the research project is to help the student to learn about the role of research in public health practice through undertaking their own piece of high quality public health relevant research. As with a PhD, the thesis topic can be from any discipline or subject area and the research must be original and make a distinct contribution to the knowledge of the chosen subject. However, due to the time allocated for the thesis research (12 - 18 months), the DrPH thesis is necessarily shorter in length and more limited in scope than a PhD thesis.
The thesis has a 50,000 word limit, excluding references and appendices. The DrPH thesis must also include a 1,500 "Integrating Statement" which summarizes the student's learning over the three components of the degree and highlights the links among the components.
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.
Part-time Study
The School requires students who apply for part-time study to be available to study for at least two days per week. A letter from your employer is required to confirm that at least two days per week will be permitted for work on your degree.
Course Duration
Students are normally expected to submit their thesis within 3 years of full-time study or 5 years part-time. The maximum period of registration permitted is 4 years full-time or 6 years part-time. Students are required to be in the School during the first term for the taught course elements and are normally expected to spend time in the School during the preparation of their Organisational and Policy Analysis Project. Following completion of the OPA students are also expected to spend sometime in the School for the preparation and presentation of their research project plans to a DrPH Review Committee.
As the timetable of compulsory modules is fixed, all DrPH students must commence the course at the start of an academic year in September.
The Course Administrator
Please contact the Course Administrator on issues regarding the course including grades and timetables. E-mail: DrPHadmin@lshtm.ac.uk
Applicants for MPhil, PhD or DrPH study should have at least one of the following:
- an upper 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; or
- a registrable qualification appropriate to the course of study to be followed, in medicine, dentistry or veterinary studies; or
- a Masters degree in a subject appropriate to the course of study to be followed; or
- a professional qualification obtained by written examination and approved by the University of London as an appropriate entrance qualification for the degree in question.
For DrPH candidates, a minimum of two years’ appropriate experience and, normally, a Masters degree are required.
How to Apply
The DrPH, like other doctoral programmes, involves a student working closely with a member of academic staff who is the supervisor. Those interested in applying should identify LSHTM staff members with interests that match their own. Visit the Research pages of this website for further information about the School's academic Faculties, Departments and staff research areas.
Please note: You must send a copy of your passport with your application form. You should include copies of the following:
- Front cover of the passport.
- Personal details and photograph page.
- Any UK visa(s) - past and/or present.
- Any UK immigration stamps in your passport.
Your application will not be considered until you have provided the above documents.
Application for London-based Study
Application for Masters degrees, Research degrees (MPhil/PhD or DrPH) and occasional research study in London can be made using the School's Master's & Research Application Forms or online using the links below.
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases DrPH 2013/4 (Full time)
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases DrPH 2013/4 (Part time)
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 Pack is also available from: The Registry, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7299 4646 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7299 4656 E-mail: registry@lshtm.ac.uk).
MPhil/PhD, DrPH and Occasional Studies
The application process for the DrPH can take up to 3 months. Applicants who will require a visa to study in the UK are advised to have an offer from the School by mid-June, for a September start date, in order to allow time to apply for a visa.
For applicants wishing to be considered for a scholarship, applications should be made by 1 March.
The start of the 2013-14 academic session is 30 September 2013.
