Outbreaks. Vaccines. Tuberculosis. Cardiovascular disease. Epidemiology is about tackling today's issues in public health and healthcare – understanding the determinants of health, evaluating interventions, and supporting the control and prevention of diseases. 

Epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is available as an MSc, a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) or a Postgraduate Certificate (PG Cert). You can study in person in London or online by distance learning. 

Why study epidemiology at LSHTM? 

• Modern epidemiological methods - Every qualification starts with core teaching in epidemiological concepts, study design and implementation, medical statistics, and critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. 
   
• A range of elective modules - Go further with modules in infectious disease modelling, non-communicable diseases, social epidemiology, spatial epidemiology, advanced statistics,  clinical trials,–omics and more. 
   
• Three qualifications, one flexible pathway - Go straight into the MSc, PG Dip or PG Cert, or start with the PG Cert and progress later. Study in London over 1-2 years or online over up to five years, with the option to combine the two. 
   
• Hands-on with real data - Analyse real-world datasets and case studies, and produce the outputs epidemiologists deliver in practice, such as study protocols, critical appraisals and scientific reports. 
   
• Independent research as the capstone of the MSc - Every MSc student designs and carries out an original 45-credit epidemiological study, supervised by LSHTM researchers. 

LSHTM is also ranked #2 in the world for infectious diseases (US News 2026-27); #1 in the UK for Public Health (Shanghai Rankings 2026) and has links with organisations such as the World Health Organization and the UK Health Security Agency. 

What you will learn

You will learn how to:

• Critically appraise and synthesise health-related information to inform public health and medical practice.  
• Design and appraise epidemiological studies and communicate findings to inform public health and medical practice.   
• Manage (MSc and PGDip), analyse, and interpret complex health-related data to support epidemiological practice.  
• Explain how to apply the principles of ethics and equity in the conduct of epidemiological practice, and across diverse settings and teams.  
• Undertake reflective practice and self-guided learning to support continuous professional development.  
• MSc Graduates will also learn to integrate knowledge and skills through conducting an original epidemiology research project.  

How will you learn? 

In London, you’ll learn through lectures, online materials, practicals and group work, drawing on the experience of classmates from around the world. 

By distance learning, you’ll work through online materials at your own pace, with discussion forums and webinars connecting you with tutors and fellow students. 

Assessments reflect real public health work, including study protocols, data analysis reports and presentations. Most assessments are open-book, and you will receive guidance on using generative AI responsibly. 

Who is it for?

The epidemiology programme is for anyone who wants to examine the distribution and determinants of health, and to evaluate interventions to improve health. Our students include clinicians, graduates in the life sciences, mathematics or statistics, intercalating medical students, and people working in public health agencies, non-governmental organisations or industry. Our students come from many countries and professional backgrounds; learning alongside such a diverse group is a valuable part of the programme. 

Find out about intercalating this programme (in-person only).