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
Moodle forums are our main communication channel. We also post useful updates on our virtual Moodle Noticeboards, that students can subscribe to.

The Notice Board and Discussion Forums on Moodle are the main communication channel.  The Notice Board forum, is read only and provides a space for the Programme Team to post messages and information for your attention. The discussion forums, provide a space for you to post questions/reflections for the attention of the academic and/or administrative team and your fellow students. Students may also contact the programme team via email: [email protected]. 

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

Many modules will have an ‘Introduce Yourself’ forum and an ‘icebreaker’ activity, posted at the top of the module page. We encourage you to place an introduction and engage with this activity. This will help you to get to know the academic leads for the module and your fellow students. We enjoy reading your messages and are looking forward to hearing from you.

As you will find, PHDL students are based all over the world and have a diverse range of backgrounds and experience. We look forward to welcoming you all to the new academic year! 

Engaging with forums: we find students get a more rewarding experience if they 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 invited to post their own responses to these questions, which the team will comment on, as appropriate. Through the use of these forums, all students studying the module have the opportunity to read and learn from questions asked and responses provided. 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 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 are continuing to learn and adapt our resources through student questions!

Useful Contacts

Academic queries: If you have questions regarding your module materials, or need clarification on any of the topics, you will have access to Moodle forums on each of the module pages (or zones). There, you will be able to ask academics questions about the module and also benefit from questions your fellow students have asked.

Student record queries: If you have a question about your own academic record, or how to progress, each programme has a dedicated email inbox that you are welcome to send your questions to. We are here to help.

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).

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.
   

Distance learning programmes run from 1^st October. Allow yourself time at the beginning to familiarise yourself with the module materials and how to navigate Moodle. Make sure you subscribe to your module forums and noticeboards.

You will be required to have good internet access and a personal computer or laptop in order to complete assessments. A headset and webcam are advised to attend webinars.

Before going on to choose your further elective modules, make sure you have read the Module specifications carefully, so you are familiar with the intended learning outcomes for that module, topics covered and how it will be assessed. 

The assessment for individual modules may include an exam and/or one or more assignments.  Please read the Module Specification for further information.

You will be required to register for assessments around the end of the first term. Please look on Moodle Noticeboard for our messages, to guide you through the process.

Assignments and Projects are submitted via the DL Assignment Management System (AMS).

Examinations are submitted via the DL Exam Management Systems (EMS), if applicable.

This programme has three key assessment timings: Assignments will be due by 31^st March or 31st May and the exams are held at the beginning of June. Further details can be found in the Module Specification:

• Module specifications | Distance learning modules | LSHTM

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 .