This programme is designed for those interested in acquiring the research skills necessary to conduct policy-relevant research into sexual and reproductive health. It provides a non-clinical foundation in family planning, obstetric health, AIDS and sexually-transmitted infections.
The curriculum has a focus on middle- and low-income settings but also provides excellent training in the principles and methods of research for high-income countries.
This programme is recognised by the ESRC as providing high quality research training and a small number of ESRC scholarships (including 1+3 scholarships) are available to UK or EU residents. These are advertised each year with the LSHTM scholarships information.
By the end of this programme students will be able to:
- demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of evidence-based approaches to research of reproductive and sexual health issues
- critically assess and apply these research approaches to inform development, health and social welfare programmes
- demonstrate a good understanding of the socio-cultural, political and ethical issues surrounding reproductive and sexual health
- identify and address appropriate research questions in reproductive and sexual health, using methods from a range of public health disciplines
- demonstrate the ability to carry out key research skills and activities, including literature review, research study design, and critical analysis and application of research findings
Duration: one year full-time; part-time or split-study over two years. Ways to study explained.
Reproductive & Sexual Health Research
Watch Joy Lawn, Director of the MARCH Centre, and students talk about the programme.
The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and 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
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Term 1 (September - December) consists of ten teaching weeks for AB1 slot modules, 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 for C and D slot modules, plus a Reading Week in the middle of the term. C modules are taught in five half-week blocks before Reading Week. D modules are taught in five half-week blocks after Reading Week. Followed by the Spring break.
Term 3 (April - September) consists of five weeks of teaching for E slot modules, taught in half-week blocks, and 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
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Students take the following compulsory AB1 modules:
- Basic Epidemiology or Extended Epidemiology
- Foundations in Reproductive Health
- Principles of Social Research
- Statistics for Epidemiology & Population Health
- Health Policy, Process & Power or Introduction to Health Economics or Population Studies
- Terms 2 and 3
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Students take a total of five study modules, one from each timetable slot (C1, C2, D1, D2, E). The list below shows recommended or compulsory modules. There are other optional modules which may be taken only after consultation with the Programme Directors.
C1 slot
- Research Design & Analysis
C2 slot
- Family Planning Programmes
- Population, Poverty and Environment
D1 slot
- Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Current Issues in Maternal & Perinatal Health
- Evaluation of Public Health Interventions
- Social Epidemiology
D2 slot
- Sexual Health (compulsory)
E slot
- Analysing Survey & Population Data
- HIV
- Project report
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During the summer months (July-August), students complete a research project. Acceptable types of project are: data analysis; a project proposal; an original literature or policy review. Students normally remain in London for the preparation of their project report. Exceptionally, and only if appropriate, part of the project period may be spent away from LSHTM, whether in the UK or abroad. Arrangements for this must be discussed and agreed with the Programme Director.
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.
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.
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 Reproductive & Sexual Health Research are:
- evidence of numeracy skills
Relevant subjects for the MSc Reproductive & Sexual Health Research include sciences (e.g. biology, medicine, nursing, midwifery) or social sciences (e.g. anthropology, demography, development, economics, geography, human rights, international relations, politics, sociology).
Applicants who do not meet the minimum entry requirement, but who have relevant professional experience may still be eligible for admission. Qualifications and experience will be assessed from the application.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B
Please see our English language requirements for more information.
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.
Access and widening participation
At LSHTM we are committed to ensuring that students from all backgrounds feel encouraged to apply to study with us. To that end, we have introduced an innovative contextual admissions system that is designed to consider any barriers applicants may have faced and take account of the circumstances in which their grades have been achieved, rather than relying on results alone. More information on widening participation at LSHTM.
| Fees 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Home | Full-time | £12,330 |
| Part-time | £6,165 | |
| EU/Overseas | Full-time | £28,540 |
| Part-time | £14,270 |
*Mobile users, scroll right to view fees
Funding available for this programme:
- 2023-24 PIC Masters Studentship Scheme in Population Studies (application deadline: 28 May 2023)
Sources of funding:
Graduates go into public health and reproductive health programmes, evaluation of family planning programmes, research for governmental and non-governmental agencies and university teaching.
Below you will find just a few of the positions and organisations that our graduates from this course have entered:
- Example job titles:
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Advisor/Supervisor
Chlamydia Screening Assistant
Clinical Research Co-Ordinator
Doctor
Emergency Response Co-Ordinator
HIV Prevention and Surveillance Scientist
Programme Manager
Research Co-Ordinator
Senior Lecturer in Medicine
Senior Registrar
Technical Adviser
Women's Protection and Empowerment Co-Ordinator (Syria)
Public Involvement Adviser
Statistical Researcher - Example organisations:
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Acted
Public Health England
Save the Children
Terrence Higgins Trust
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Applications should be made online and will only be considered once you have provided all required information and supporting documentation.
Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.
You can apply for up to two master's programmes. Make sure to list them by order of preference as consideration will be given to your top choice first.
Application deadlines
All applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure availability of a place and a timely decision on their application. This is particularly important for applicants with sponsorship deadlines.
We strongly advise that you apply early as popular programmes will close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.
The final closing dates for all taught Master’s applications for entry in the 2023/24 academic year is:
- Sunday 23 July 2023 at 23:59 UK time for all students requiring a Student visa
- Thursday 31 August 2023 at 23:59 UK time for all UK, Irish and non-Student visa students
Applicants will be required to meet the conditions of their offer and provide all necessary documents by the date of their Offer of Admission.
Application fee
A standard non-refundable application fee of £50 applies to all taught Master’s degree programmes and is payable upon application submission. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and student hardship fund.
Tuition fee deposit
Applicants are required to respond to their Offer of Admission and pay the £500 deposit within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. The deposit is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM.
Do you need a visa?
Please visit our Visa & Immigration pages for advice and guidance.