We have a limited number of places on the DrPH programme (20/year). To ensure equity, all applications will be reviewed by a cross-Faculty panel of senior academics. They will consider your work experience, your academic potential, and your research proposal, OPA proposal and personal statement.

DrPH candidates, like students on other doctoral programmes, work closely with academic members of staff who act as their supervisors. It is not essential to have identified a supervisor before applying, but applicants can only be accepted once a suitable supervisory team has been identified and approved. If you apply for a place without already having identified named supervisors then LSHTM will try to match you up with suitable members of academic staff. If we are unable to identify potential supervisors, we will not be able to offer you a place.

See Identifying a supervisor for details of how to find and approach potential supervisors

The research proposal

All applicants should include with their application a short proposal for their thesis research, Research Study II, (maximum 1,500 words including footnotes and references). This is an important way of indicating the extent to which you already understand the background to your proposed research, and the range of methods that may be employed.

This should include:

• Research / topic area
• Specific research question(s)
• Study design
• Data collection methods and analysis
• Approximate research costs and planned funding source

Please be aware that the research proposal submitted with your application does not have to be the final research project: you will have the opportunity to refine your project through discussions with your supervisor after you start. The main purpose of the proposal is to demonstrate that you have the necessary critical thinking skills, an understanding of the relevant research area and an appreciation of the demands of a research degree.

The organisational and/or policy analysis outline (OPA, Research Study I)

Applicants also need to submit a short outline plan (approx. 500 words) for their OPA project (topic for the OPA, methodological approach and type of organisation to target). While many students have a clear idea about where they intend to carry out their OPA project, it is not mandatory to identify a specific host organisation before starting the degree programme at LSHTM. It is appreciated that this information will be preliminary and that proposals may change once applicants have started their studies and have had the opportunity to discuss their OPA plans with their supervisor and DrPH teaching staff. 

Think about how your research degree will be funded

You will need to consider how the Research Degree will be funded – tuition fees, living expenses and project costs. The School website contains some further information on potential sources of funding. Some candidates apply for a place via studentships advertised by the School. Others manage to secure funding from elsewhere prior to applying, and some submit funding applications at the same time as applying for the research degree.

Application for study

Please apply using our online application form.

Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.

Paper application forms are available upon request and will normally incur an administration fee of £50. You must send a copy of the personal details and photograph page of your passport with all paper applications. Your application will not be considered until you have provided the above documents. 

Application deadline

For September 2026 entry, the final closing date deadline for DrPH application submission is:

• Monday 2 February 2026 at 23:59 UK time for ALL students, including those who require a student visa and those who do not. 

Deadline for responding to your offer

Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admission within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined.