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MSc One Health: ecosystems, humans and animals

Overview
Overview - One Health
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The concept of One Health has never been more important than now. Influenza outbreaks increasing, the re-emergence of zoonotic diseases like Ebola, the global Covid pandemic, the environmental degradation triggered by livestock and human activities, the climatic changes impacting food chains and disease transmission – and the increasing risk of emerging epidemic outbreaks and food insecurity across the globe. 

Over one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), you’ll unravel the multidimensional connection between humans, animals and environments. Explore the principles of the One Health approach, and diseases in the context of socio-ecological systems, global health and food safety. Acquire perspective on global health, disease emergence and control from diverse biological and social science disciplines, and learn how to study and tackle complex health problems. Gain the skills and knowledge to respond effectively to outbreaks. And develop system thinking and innovative approaches to ensure fairness of health interventions across interface of humans, animals and the environment.

Delivered in partnership with the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), you’ll benefit from a holistic approach to problem solving from academics with a wide range of specialist experience in the field.
 

What you will learn

  • Build knowledge in how to interpret the One Health concept and what it means in different contexts
  • Find out how to apply a One Health approach to complex disease issues using systems thinking, a trans-disciplinary approach, and apply concepts in order to address multi-faceted problems
  • Understand disease ecology, evolution and emergence, including the drivers, impact and control of them (social, economic, biological, demographic, ecological)
  • Develop cognitive and scientific skills, including how to critically review scientific literature, and design and analysis of laboratory and/or field studies
  • Discover how to apply scientific knowledge to real world issues in One Health, information gathering, statistical numeracy, problem solving and integration of knowledge, ethics and values
     

More than just theory and medicine – you’ll be given the tools you need to bring transformation to your field. Understanding the dynamics and multidimensional issues arising at the nexus between the disciplines of ecosystems, humans and animals will be key. As well as developing a collaborative system way of thinking and progressive attitude to predict what health challenges could be to come.

Our academics have carried out work in countries across the globe, including for the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and other world leading organisations. You’ll learn from their first-hand experience of projects and crises they have dealt with. We also welcome external lecturers from institutions such as Chatham House, London Zoo, and the UK Animal Health and Plant Agency.

Being a trans-disciplinary course, you’ll be encouraged to generate discussions between medical, animal and environmental scientists, as you learn to collaborate and build system thinking.

With support available, you’ll also complete a four-month independent research project, where you’ll be able to examine your area of interest and ambition in more depth.  

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for independent thinkers, problem solvers, holistic workers, those willing to challenge conventions. You must show a keen interest in how everything interacts together and how diseases pass between humans, animals and environments.

Most of our students have a biological understanding and knowledge at undergraduate level. We also welcome students with backgrounds in social science and the humanities, health policy and economics. And you will already have experience in human, animal or environmental disciplines. You might also consider joining us for intercalated study.

This course is perfect for opening doors to variable careers. You could apply your new joined-up system thinking to research projects in academic environments. Inform national or international policies for organisations such as local government, the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency or Ministry of Health. Support with the coordination of the One Health concept with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations. Or perhaps you’re interested in bringing understanding to complex problems and creating strategies as a control programme manager.

Soon, you’ll be leading on the important area of One Health across the globe.

Duration

One year full time; part-time over two years. Ways to study explained.

Intercalating study

Find out about intercalating this programme.

One Health

Description

Watch Programme Directors and students talk about the programme.

Image
Anuoluwapo Kuye
Citation
Anuoluwapo Kuye, Nigeria
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"Coming from a background in veterinary medicine, I wanted a mix of the best from the public health world and the veterinary world; One Health was just the right programme."

Structure
Structure - One Health
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The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.

Structure of the year

Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks plus one Reading Week* in the middle of the term. Followed by the Winter break.

Term 2 (January - March) consists of a further ten weeks of teaching plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. Followed by the Spring break.

Term 3 (April - September) consists of the project report.

*Reading Week is a week during term where no formal teaching takes place. It is a time for private study, preparing for assessments or attending study/computer skills workshops. There are two Reading Weeks at LSHTM: one in November and the other in February.

Term 1

There is a one-week orientation period that includes an introduction to studying at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Royal Veterinary College, followed by four compulsory modules:

  • Foundations of One Health (RVC)
  • Principles of Epidemiology and Surveillance (RVC)
  • Research Skills and Statistical Analysis (RVC)
  • Infectious Disease Emergence and Control (RVC)
Term 2

All students take three compulsory modules:

  • Economics of One Health (RVC)
  • One Health: Situation Analysis and Systems Thinking (RVC)
  • Medical Anthropology and Public Health (LSHTM)

In addition, students choose a fourth module from the following:

  • Environmental Epidemiology (LSHTM)
  • Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (LSHTM)
  • Globalisation and Health (LSHTM)
  • Vector Biology and Vector-Parastite Interactions (LSHTM)
  • Spatial Analysis in Epidemiology (RVC)
Term 3: Project report (MSc only)

During the second half of the year (April - August), students complete a research project on a topic in one health, for submission by mid-August.

Please note: Should it be the case that you are unable to travel overseas or access laboratories in order to complete your project, you will be able to complete an alternative desk-based project allowing you to obtain your qualification within the original time frame. Alternatively, you will be able to defer your project to the following year.

Assessment

Assessment takes place by eight end-of-module examinations, in-course assignments and by project report and an oral examination.

Changes to the course
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Changes to the programme

LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Entry requirements
Entry requirements - One Health
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Applicants should have a first- or second-class university honours degree or equivalent. Individuals with degrees in biological sciences, veterinary or human medicine, animal sciences, social sciences, statistics and economics, are all encouraged to apply. Applicants from overseas will be required to provide evidence of proficiency in spoken and written English, including scientific usage and comprehension.

Intercalating students
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Intercalating students

You will need the equivalent of a bachelor's degree to undertake an MSc. 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 an MSc at LSHTM.

Fees & funding
Fees and funding - One Health
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Fees 2024/25  
HomeMSc Full-time£15,230
 MSc Part-time£7,720
 PG Diploma£10,270
EU/OverseasMSc Full-time£27,540
 MSc Part-time£13,880
 PG Diploma£18,490

*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees

Early application fee reduction for UK MSc Students 2024-25

Apply early and lock-in lower fees. If you are a student from the UK (and have a home fee status), you will be eligible to receive a 5% reduction in your tuition fee if you submit your application by Friday 5 April 2024 and subsequently register onto one of our in-person MSc programmes (some exclusions apply, see detailed terms and conditions).

You must be applying for full-time study on a programme starting in September 2024; be funding your fees yourself; and be a new applicant.

If you meet the above criteria and submit your application by the deadline, you will automatically receive the tuition fee discount.

How to apply
How to apply - One Health
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Applications for this programme are administered by the Royal Veterinary College and should be made via the RVC website.

Email: admissions@rvc.ac.uk