London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

This module aims to equip the next generation of WASH professionals with the blend of skills necessary to understand the critical importance of WASH for low and middle income country development and will provide training to support a future career in WASH programming, research and evaluation.

The overall module aim is to enable students to understand the principles and practices that should underlie water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions, in order to maximise health and social benefits. The module also aims to empower students to contribute usefully to discussions with other professionals regarding health impacts, technology choice and policy aspects of water supply, excreta disposal and other environmental interventions affecting health in low and middle developing countries.

Intended learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module a student will be able to: 

1. Integrate the principles of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) interventions and recent insights to develop products, services and behaviour change programmes in complex and unpredictable settings.
2. Appraise methods of Health Impact Evaluation and justify their deployment in WASH strategy.
3. Critically evaluate the wider social, economic, institutional and environmental contexts of WASH strategies in resource poor settings.
4. Develop a range of approaches for the provision of sustainable and equitable WASH services in resource poor settings, and communicate your output to professional audiences.

Assessment

This module is assessed by:

• A 2,500 word Assessed Assignment (30%).
• A 3,000 word Time Limited Assessment (70%).

Mode of delivery

Our distance learning modules are delivered entirely online via directed self-study and online materials via the Virtual Learning Environment.

Module duration

Distance learning module studies begin at the start of October each year. Students may start their studies at any time once they gain access to Moodle (the virtual learning environment) and study materials, and work through the materials in line with the assessment schedules. The study year runs from the beginning of October through to June examinations. Some students also study between June and September with extended tutorial support (e.g. those undertaking projects, the Clinical Trials integrating report, or two of the Epidemiology modules). Deadlines for submission of coursework vary per programme but are usually in February, March, May, and September.

How you'll study

Our distance learning programmes are predominantly online and largely self-directed study to enable you to study independently and at times convenient to you. You'll have access to tutorial support and the ability to interact with other students and form study groups throughout the study year via the discussions in our Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle.

Credits

• CATS: 15
• ECTS: 7.5

Module specification

For full information regarding this module please see the module specification.

Please note: information based on the 2025-26 module specification subject to change for 2026-27 entry.