In order to be admitted to an LSHTM master's degree programme, an applicant must:

• hold either a first degree at Second Class Honours (2:2) standard in a relevant discipline, or a degree in medicine recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC) for the purposes of practising medicine in the UK, or another degree of equivalent standard awarded by an overseas institution recognised by UK ENIC or the GMC.

or

• hold a professional qualification appropriate to the programme of study to be followed obtained by written examinations and judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.

or

• have relevant professional experience or training which is judged by LSHTM to be equivalent to a Second Class Honours (2:2) degree or above.

If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.

Additional requirements for the MSc Demography & Health are:

• evidence of numeracy skills

Students select their Demography & Health pathway - either Population Health and Policy or Population Data Science - during orientation week (Welcome Week) at LSHTM.

Population Health and Policy Pathway

Relevant subjects include:

• Social sciences: anthropology, demography, development, economics, geography, international relations, politics, sociology
• Sciences: mathematics, statistics, biology, medicine, nursing, midwifery

Other qualifications may be considered if you can show evidence of sufficient quantitative exposure. Please highlight this clearly in your application.

Applicants who don’t meet the minimum entry requirements but have relevant professional experience may still be eligible. All qualifications and experience are assessed as part of the application process.

Population Data Science Pathway

This pathway suits students with a strong mathematical background, including knowledge of:

• Probability and statistics
• Calculus
• Linear algebra (including logarithms and exponents)

These skills may come from:

• A degree in mathematics, statistics or a related discipline
• Quantitative study within a science-based undergraduate degree
• 2-3 years of relevant work experience in data science or an allied field

Familiarity with statistical programming is an advantage. During Welcome Week, your mathematical skills will be assessed and discussed with the Programme Team to confirm whether this pathway is the right fit.

Students without the required mathematical background will follow the Population Health and Policy pathway. This is also a quantitative route, covering:

• Mathematical demography
• Population modelling and projections
• R programming

It’s complemented by a wider selection of social science and policy-focused modules, offering a balanced and applied approach.

Any student who does not meet the minimum entry requirement of a second-class honours degree or equivalent qualification but who has relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.

Admissions FAQs

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B.

Some applicants may be exempt if they have previously studied in English or meet other specified criteria. Please see our English language requirements for details.

It is possible to apply without English language test results however the results of a test may be listed as a condition of an offer of admission. 

Intercalating students

You will need the equivalent of a bachelor's degree to undertake a master's degree. This will usually require you to have a BSc degree or have completed the first three years of your medical degree. More information on intercalating a Master's at LSHTM.

Access and widening participation

At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that excellent students feel encouraged to apply for a course of study with us. We have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to support those students who have faced the greatest barriers to their learning. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.