Recent years have raised the profile of epidemiologists. However, pandemics are just one of the health challenges facing society. Cancer rates are also soaring. And so are other non-communicable diseases like diabetes. Study with us to investigate the causes of diseases, and to evaluate the impact of interventions for treating and preventing them.

Study Epidemiology by distance learning and you’ll benefit from our expertise in everything from infectious outbreaks to cancer survival, as well as from our industry links with organisations such as the World Health Organization and the UK Health Security Agency. While many of our academics are based here in London, our academic community spans high, middle- and low-income settings around the world.

Applying your epidemiologic skills, you’ll design and execute your own research project. Our students complete a variety of projects ranging from analysis of epidemiological data to the systematic review of literature on urgent public health problems. Students often design a research project that reflects the issues in the area they work. Examples of recent projects include a comparison of treatments for gastric cancer; physical activity and impact on wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic; and second-hand tobacco smoke exposure and risk of respiratory infection.

What you will learn

• Explore the role of epidemiology and its contribution to other health-related disciplines
• Learn how to choose appropriate epidemiologic designs and to develop detailed study protocols
• Discover how to manage clinical health data, carry out appropriate statistical analysis, and rigorously assess the results of studies
• Discuss how to investigate the causes of health conditions and how to predict outbreaks
• Understand how to review research findings in a broader policy context

Because the course material is available online 24/7 and is designed for part-time study, you can expand your expertise from anywhere in the world, at your own pace. Although we offer some synchronous sessions, it’s not mandatory to attend these.

You also have the freedom to decide whether you graduate with a postgraduate certificate with 60 credits, or proceed to a postgraduate diploma with 120 credits, or the full MSc qualification with 180 credits.

Once you complete the core modules, you have the option to apply for the blended learning option to study modules on-campus in London. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other students and tutors in person; and engage in face-to-face discussion-based learning.

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for anyone with an interest in using data and research to improve public health.

Some of our students are clinicians while others work in non-governmental organisations who want formal training to support the work they do. However, we have students join us from a whole host of backgrounds who want to explore epidemiology. Because this programme is flexible and your learning is self-directed, you can balance studying with your other commitments. Students tell us they can apply skills they learn from the course straight away.

Duration

Prize

The Dr. Aashrai Gudlavalleti Memorial Prize for Epidemiology is awarded to the student with the highest grade at the end of their MSc from a low-or middle-income country each year. The Prize was donated by The Gudlavalleti Family, in memory of their son Dr. Aashrai Gudlavalleti. 

Related courses

This programme is also available as a one-year intensive master's with our MSc Epidemiology.