We are delighted to welcome you to the distance learning Epidemiology programme at LSHTM!  We hope you enjoy being part of our active global community, united by a passion for epidemiology and its role in improving global health. While pandemics have put epidemiology in the spotlight recently, you’ll be diving into the full spectrum of public health challenges - from infectious disease outbreaks to rising rates of cancer and diabetes - and the research methods used to investigate their causes, evaluate interventions, and inform programmes and policy.

Distance learning offers the flexibility to study at your own pace alongside your other commitments, with 24/7 access to materials. While studying remotely has its challenges, our expert staff in London and around the world are here to support you every step of the way. You’ll gain practical skills in study design and statistical analysis, benefiting from our research-led expertise as well as the chance to learn from your peers by sharing real-world experiences.

Please do take every opportunity to connect with staff and your fellow students, whether that is via our discussion forums, joining live teaching sessions, or forming study groups. We look forward to meeting many of you during our virtual Welcome Week sessions in October!

Please plan your studies carefully and ensure you are registered for all modules you actively wish to study that academic year, including any resits. This ensures access to the latest version of the study materials and the assessment submission systems.

The academic year starts on Thursday 1 October, when you will have access to our VLE 

Do refer to the suggested progression schedules to help you plan your studies. 

[email protected] is the first place to go with all your questions and for information on the Epidemiology by distance learning programme.

We use the Moodle > Student Zone forums for general information and messages.

You can contact your tutors and fellow students through the module Moodle forums.

Please check these regularly and take part in the discussions.

Our Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, is available once you are registered for your modules and once Moodle opens on Thursday 1st October 2026. 

The Notice Board and Discussion Forums on Moodle are our main way of communicating with you.  

DL Welcome Week will be held mid-October. Over the course of the week, there will be sessions to help you get started with your studies and the new academic year, and an opportunity to meet the programme team and your fellow students. Sessions will be recorded, so if you are unable to attend you will have the opportunity to listen to the recording.   

Many modules will have an ‘Introduce Yourself’ activity, posted at the top of the module page. We encourage you to take part, as it’s a great way to meet the module team and connect with fellow students.   

There are also WhatsApp groups where you can chat with your peers (these are not run or managed by LSHTM). 

As you will find, DL Epi students are based all over the world and have a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.  

Engaging with forums: students tend to get the most out of their studies when they actively engage in Moodle VLE forums throughout their studies. The forums provide a space to ask questions about the materials you are studying and allow you to post comments and reflections based on your understanding and experience. 

Members of the module teaching team monitor these forums and will aim to respond within a short period of time. Students are also encouraged to share their own responses, which the teaching team will review and comment on where appropriate. We encourage you to subscribe to forums, so you know when a new message is posted. 

Sometimes students are hesitant to post a question on these forums, concerned about how the question will be viewed. Please be assured that if you are wondering about something, it is highly likely someone else will have had that same thought! Staff also continue to learn and adapt resources in response to students’ questions. 

Useful Contacts 

Academic queries: If you have questions regarding your module materials or need clarification on any of the topics, you can use the Moodle forums available within each module page (or zone).  

Student record queries: If you have a question about your own academic record, or how to progress, please contact [email protected]. If we can't answer your query ourselves, we'll direct you to the right place. 

Student representatives: The Epidemiology programme also have Student Representatives who you can contact for help , as well as a Student Representatives' Council VP for Distance Learning. 

Once you enrol, we will provide further information about how to contact student representatives. You will also be able to find other sources of support (e.g. wellbeing) on our ‘DL General Zone’ Moodle page, which contains useful information for all our DL students.  

Your study materials and reading lists for each module are available online via Moodle. Learning materials for the Epidemiology (EPM) modules are delivered mainly through Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) sessions - interactive study guides that you can access through Moodle. In addition to these online resources, some modules also provide supplementary e-textbooks, and some will require you to use statistical software such as R. 

Every module also has a Module Specification document, which gives you an at-a-glance summary of key information such as the module's objectives and the resources provided. Check the Module Specifications for further details. 

Assessment varies by module and may include Assessed Assignments (AA) or an online Exam/Time Limited Assessment (TLA). 

All Formative and Assessed Assignments are submitted via the Assignment Management System (AMS). The Exams/Time Limited Assessments are submitted via the Exam Management System (EMS).

Please see the Module Specifications for more information on assessment deadlines.

LSHTM’s academic integrity policy is set out in Chapter 7 of the Academic Manual. The School uses Turnitin to support academic integrity.  

Please see LSHTM’s Statement on using AI in Assessments and guidance on the appropriate use of AI tools. LSHTM also offers a Moodle based AI Literacy Training Course to help students use AI responsibly. 

Plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are taken seriously. The Academic Writing Handbook provides guidance on good academic practice, referencing and avoiding plagiarism.