- Welcome from Programme Directors
- Virtual Learning Environment and Contacts
Before your course begins, there are some important systems and ways of communicating that you need to know about. Here is what to expect and how to stay informed.
Moodle (Virtual Learning Environment)
Our Virtual Learning Environment, Moodle, is available once you are registered for your modules and once Moodle opens on Thursday 1st October 2026.Communication
[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.
- Support and Engagement
We encourage you to stay engaged throughout your course: reach out to [email protected], take part in the discussion forums, connect with your tutors and coursemates, and attend online sessions.
There are also WhatsApp groups where you can chat with your peers (these are not run or managed by LSHTM).
The Clinical Trials programme has at least two Student Representatives each year, as well as a Student Representatives' Council VP for Distance Learning.
Useful Contacts
Please use [email protected] as your first point of contact. If we can't answer your query ourselves, we'll direct you to the right place.- Registration
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 (Formative Assignments, Assessed Assignments, Exams, Report).
- Study Materials
Your study materials and reading lists for each module are available online via Moodle. You can access these materials at any time while signed in to Moodle through your module link, and you can also download them so you can view them offline.
This means you'll be able to access your study materials throughout the academic year, and even after the Moodle pages close at the end of the year.
To download them, go to the relevant module, find the Study Materials section, and click the Download Study Materials icon. Then choose Save As to save the zip file to your computer or an external storage device.
Learning materials for the Epidemiology (EPM) modules are delivered mainly through Computer-Assisted Learning (CAL) sessions - interactive study guides that you can access and download through the Moodle Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). See the Moodle section below for more details on the online resources you'll need to access.
Every Epidemiology 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. We'd advise familiarising yourself with this document early on. Check the Module Specifications for further details.
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.
- Core and Elective Modules
The structures of the Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and of the MSc in Epidemiology are outlined in Tables 1, 2 and 3. Note, exams for this year are also known as time-limited assessments as written in the module specifications. These are usually held in June.
Table 1 Structure I: Postgraduate Certificate in Epidemiology Core modules EPM101 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
EPM102 Statistics for Epidemiology
EPM103 Practical Epidemiology
EPM105 Writing and Reviewing Epidemiological Papers.
Examinations and assignments Unseen written examination in modules EPM101, EPM102, EPM103. Written assignment for EPM105 to be submitted via AMS by 31 August. Table 2 Structure II: Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology Core modules EPM101 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
EPM102 Statistics for Epidemiology
EPM103 Practical Epidemiology
EPM105 Writing and Reviewing Epidemiological Papers.
Compulsory modules
EPM2 modules
EPM201 Study Design: Writing a Grant Application
EPM202 Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
Elective EPM3 modules Two elective EPM3 modules.
OR
One EPM3 module and one further elective module selected from a list of options
Examinations and assignments Unseen written examination in modules EPM101, EPM102, EPM103. Written assignment for EPM105 and EPM201, to be submitted via AMS 31 August.
Written assignment for EPM202/EPM302/EPM304/EPM307 to be submitted via AMS 30 April. Written assignments for EPM301 to be submitted at the end of the 6 week group work and an additional structured question AA to be submitted via AMS 12 May. See relevant module specification for details of assessment in non EPM modules.
Table 3 Structure III: MSc in Epidemiology Core EPM1 modules (as above) EPM101 Fundamentals of Epidemiology
EPM102 Statistics for Epidemiology
EPM103 Practical Epidemiology
EPM105 Writing and Reviewing Epidemiological Papers.
You should plan to complete each module in time to allow for a period of revision in May before the examinations in June.
Compulsory modules
EPM2 modules
EPM201 Study Design: Writing a Grant Application
EPM202 Statistical Methods in Epidemiology
Elective EPM3 modules Three elective EPM3 modules.
OR
Two EPM3 module and one further elective module selected from a list of options
Examinations and assignments Unseen written examination in modules EPM101, EPM102, EPM103. Written assignment for EPM105 and EPM201, to be submitted via AMS 31 August.
Written assignment for EPM202/EPM302/EPM304/EPM307 to be submitted via AMS 30 April. Written assignments for EPM301 to be submitted at the end of the 6 week group work and an additional structured question AA to be submitted via
AMS 12 May. See relevant module specification for details of assessment in non EPM modules.
Plus Project Report Submission of a written report (no more than 10,000 words) to be submitted via the AMS by 30 September. - Assessment
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).
Module Assignment Deadline AA Feedback/ Exam results time EPM101 & EPM102 Formative Assignments 31 March Within 4 weeks TLA/Exam June August EPM103 Formative Assignment
31 March
or
6 weeks after the start date of the VEC exerciseWithin 4 weeks
TLA/Exam June August EPM105 Formative Assignment FA1 30 April, FA2 30 June Within 4 weeks Assessed Assignment 31 August Early December EPM201 EPM201 grant outline 30 April Within 4 weeks Assessed Assignment 31 August Early December EPM202, EPM302, EPM304 & EPM307 Formative Assignment 14 February Within 4 weeks Assessed Assignment 30 April Mid-end June EPM301 Group work
Group report 6 weeks after the start date of the outbreak exercise; Individual summary 1 week after submission deadline for group report Between 1 April-31 May, depending on timing of the outbreak group Assessed Assignment (Structured questions) 12 May End June EPM500 Project Report 30 September December - Academic Integrity
Plagiarism detection software (Turnitin) is used. You must follow LSHTM policies and AI guidance.
- Resit Students
You will need to re-register for any modules where you need to re-sit either the Assessed Assignment or the Exam to ensure you receive access to updated materials for the new academic year and are able to submit assessments.
Please note that re-sit grades will be capped at 2 (see the Academic Manual).