London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

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)
Moodle is the LSHTM's virtual learning environment, and it's where you'll find your study materials, tutor support, and interaction with fellow students through discussion forums and other course resources, all through your module's Moodle page.

You'll receive announcements by email through Moodle whenever there's information that everyone, or everyone enrolled in your module, needs to be aware of. You can also refer back to these announcements at any time on the Moodle pages: the DL General Zone, the IDM Student Zone (Programme page), or your Module page (IDMxxx Module).

Log in using your LSHTM username and password.

Access opens on Thursday, 1 October 2026, once you have registered for your modules.

Communication
[email protected] is the first place to go with all your questions and for information.

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.

Academic Support

• Use the Moodle discussion forums for academic queries and questions about your study materials.
• Learning Mentor & Support groups: these are small groups of students supported by a dedicated tutor. The sessions focus on developing essential Master's-level academic and study skills while providing more personalised guidance and support. Groups meet up to five times during the academic year. Look out for your invitation.
• If you have a question you would prefer not to post publicly, contact your tutors via IDSupport.

Administrative Support

• Education Administration Office: Your first point of contact for course administrative enquiries: [email protected].
• Registry teams: Provide support with admissions, assessments, student records, fees and other registry-related matters.
   

Student Representation

The ID DL programme has at least two elected student representatives each year. Student Representatives attend and contribute to Programme Committee meetings, helping to ensure that the student voice is heard. They play an important role in communicating with the wider student body and in raising student feedback, suggestions, and concerns with the programme team.

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).

You should be familiar with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Acrobat, a web browser (e.g., Edge, Firefox or Chrome) and file compression software.

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.

• Study guide, reading list, recorded lectures, additional course resources, online library resources and eBooks are all available via your Module Moodle pages. Attend an LSHTM Library Induction to get started with Library services and resources.
   
• Access study materials in accessible formats using SensusAccess. This self-service tool converts documents (including PDFs, images and text files) into accessible text, e-books, audio (MP3 or DAISY) and braille. See the SensusAccess FAQs and guides for more information.
   

Programme Structure

• The PG Certificate: 4 IDM1xx core modules.
• The PG Diploma: 4 IDM1xx core modules + 4 elective modules.
• The MSc: 4 IDM1xx core modules, 1 compulsory elective module IDM601 and either 7 elective modules or 4 elective modules plus a project.

Assessment tasks are found on the module Moodle page.  Assignment submissions are made through the Assignment Management System (AMS). Time-Limited Assessments (TLAs) are submitted through the Examination Management System (EMS).

Assessment methods vary by module and may include:

• Self-assessed questions: Questions at the end of each Study Guide section to help check your understanding. These are not marked.
• Peer-to-peer activities: Assignments reviewed and marked by fellow students to support collaborative learning.
• Formative assignments (FAs): Tutor-marked assignments that provide feedback but do not contribute to your final module grade.
• Assessed assignments (AAs): Tutor-marked assignments that contribute to your module mark.
• Time-limited assessments (TLAs): Online, open-book assessments completed within a specified time period.

LSHTM uses Turnitin to support academic integrity. Students are expected to follow the School’s academic integrity policy, including guidance on the appropriate use of AI tools.

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

LSHTM also offers a Moodle based AI Literacy Training Course to help students use AI responsibly.

Any live interactive training will be advertised through our Moodle pages and via Announcements .

• Log in to Moodle and introduce yourself.
• Visit the IDM Student Zone and DL General Zone on Moodle.
• Review the ID DL Student Handbook, on the IDM Student Zone.
• Explore LSHTM website/Distance Learning webpages.
• Review your Module Assessments (each module has an assessment tile).
• Log in to AMS and familiarise yourself with the platform.
• Explore study skills resources.
• Engage with your Learning Mentor & Support Group.
• Create a study timetable.