The Faculty is concerned with applying health, social and management sciences to global issues in public health and health services. Research focuses on international, national and local policy in relation to social and environmental factors in health; health impact assessment and analysis; the evaluation of activities aimed at health promotion and the prevention of disease; the organisation and financing of health systems; the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health care, and quality improvement in health care; and the study of health policy processes.
The Faculty promotes multidisciplinary collaboration, and staff include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, statisticians, geographers, sociologists, political scientists, historians, economists, psychologists and anthropologists. Our research involves studies in Europe and North America , as well as middle- and lower-income countries all over the world. Our students are correspondingly international.
| The number of research students in 2011/12 from different regions of the world was: | ||
| UK | 48 | |
| Rest of Europe | 21 | |
| Rest of the World | 66 | |
The Faculty welcomes applications from students wishing to study for either a PhD or DrPH. Research students become members of one of the three Research Units, participating in the full range of the Unit'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’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.
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
The period of study for full-time DrPH students is a minimum of three years. 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.
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, 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 2012-13 academic session is 24 September 2012.
Applications for admission to the School should be made to the Registry and not directly to academic faculties. 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.
