London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

As a small cohort of only 11 students, the MSc Medical Parasitology & Entomology (MPE) programme at the London School offers a one-of-a-kind education experience. Lecturers are friendly and approachable, the course content is engaging and thought-provoking, and the modules provide students with a well-rounded and in-depth look at global health. 

I asked my friends on the course to summarise their experience as MPE students, and the top three responses were: unique, interesting and interdisciplinary. I hope this blog will provide you a good insight into what the course is and what students can expect to experience while studying it.

Multifaceted 

The MPE programme at LSHTM provides a diverse range of skills and teaching material I hadn’t originally anticipated when I first applied. As expected, the first term covered parasitology and entomology; days were broken down into lectures followed by accompanying labs. Once the term had concluded, students were able to choose different modules that fit better with the skills and course content they desired. 

Many students focused on epidemiology, control of infectious disease or public health. The School offers incredible modules that draw in people from various disciplines. I personally chose Designing Public Health Programmes and Advanced Diagnostics in Parasitology, followed by Immunology of Parasitic Disease and Advanced Training in Molecular Biology. My last module at the school was Vaccine Immunology, given the school is renowned for its public health programme (#1 in the UK!) and #2 in the world for Infectious Diseases (US News 2026-27). I was delighted to be able to undertake the modules I had. I was able to meet people with incredible professional backgrounds and learn about their skills and outlooks; it was a truly enriching experience. 

Engaging

Despite the range of modules and content taught here at the School, one thing unites them - they are all delivered with exceptional quality and engagement. Term 1 was fascinating! We were able to view blood slides showing almost everything we had been taught, from the smallest Leishmania dots to massive triatomine bugs. 

We were able to get to grips with and visualise everything we were learning in our lectures. This was further developed in the advanced diagnostic class, with a hands-on approach to various diagnostic measures including polymerase chain reaction, rapid diagnostic tests and faecal smears. We were challenged with different case studies and were able to critically solve different diagnostic cases. 

Distinct 

MPE at LSHTM offers a unique blend of a niche set of skills offered across highly selective parts of the UK. When I was applying, I had decided that if I didn’t get to come here, I would take the year out and try again.

There really is nothing like it, and having attended the School for almost two years, I can strongly attest to this. 

The course content, teaching staff and facilities make this course one of a kind; it offers something truly catered to those who are interested in learning about it. 

Modules were also supplemented with trips and outings, with Vector Sampling including a behind-the-scenes tour of the research facility at the Natural History Museum. We were able to visit the snail labs, talk to professionals at the institution and have a look at all the wonderful things they keep hold of in the cabinets. For vaccine immunology, we were able to visit the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, a part of GSK. We got to speak with startup companies and discuss career paths with both recent and established graduates. 

Practical 

MPE is a unique master's in that we are given the opportunity to put our skills into practice outside the classroom, outside the university as a whole! For one week over the Easter break, every student on MPE is taken to Devon to set up a ‘field lab’, where the course is split into two teams - parasitology and entomology. The parasitology team is tasked with characterising faecal parasites from several local farms, where we collected samples from cows and sheep and the wild vole/mouse population. We were able to set out traps every morning, visit farms and talk about different anti-parasitic measures farmers take to protect their livestock. 

The entomology team were tasked with characterising different vectors in the area, learning skills such as tick dragging, deploying light traps and sampling water for snails. They were then able to count and use keys to identify what they had found. Both teams presented to one another on the last day. Despite being quite an intensive and insightful week, what I will always remember is the time I got to spend with my coursemates - from long walks down the beach to the chattering in the lab and the long nights discussing how beautiful the view would be in the morning. Ice cream and mini eggs kept us running, and the scenic views couldn’t be beat; the quiet peace of Devon was a nice way to round up the term and break for Easter. 

Ambition 

Something I find unique about LSHTM, as someone who had come straight from their undergraduate studies, was the air of ambition at the School. 

From staff to students, everyone here is unified with the same goal - to advance and contribute to the sphere of global health. Being in such an environment is truly something special; the sense of community here is also incredibly strong. If you need help with something, there is guaranteed to be someone around who knows the ins and outs of exactly what you’re looking to do. Here, there is no topic too strange or niche; everyone has the same energy of wanting to learn as well as the eagerness to share and teach. 

This extends beyond the classroom as well. While working as a Student Caller with the Development and Alumni Relations Team to fundraise for the LSHTM Scholarship Fund, I was able to talk to hundreds of alumni. In doing so, I found the same ambitious and encouraging energy tends to stick with you. One key piece of advice I would love to pass on is to build your network and stay in touch with those you meet at the School! 

Rigorous 

When they say a course is intensive, they are not exaggerating. The course requires full attention, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Considering I worked during the weekend, this was basically my entire life for a few months until things calmed down a bit and I could manage and delegate my time a bit better. There is a lot of depth and detail to cover, and it is done so in quite a fast-paced manner - blink and you’ll miss it! In the Spring and Summer terms, I had learnt a thing or two about burnout and time management and truly understood what ‘taking time for yourself’ actually meant. 

I took up netball in a court local to the Education Centre, kept in check with my hobbies like crochet and cross stitch, started mentoring at a children's education charity and ensured I was spending time with my friends both in and out of LSHTM. Yes, the course matters and so do your grades, but your health is a priority. 

The School has an incredible (and free!) counselling team, who are open to listening and guiding you. A major plus is the camaraderie I have felt while studying here - a listening ear and a comforting shoulder go really far.  

Outstanding

The teaching style at the School is incredibly refreshing and something I, unfortunately, have not experienced many times outside of LSHTM. Each module was taught with so much passion and enjoyment that it made the course feel that much more engaging. 

Students routinely asked insightful questions that were answered with in-depth, succinct answers. The teaching staff were more than willing to meet with you, talk to you and ensure you are following along with everything. Visiting lecturers from world-class public health and research institutions delivered incredible lectures, providing so much insight and advice. We were encouraged to attend public talks and place what we were learning in our modules into a wider context, all of which helped to provide a strong and well-rounded view of our time here at the London School. 

If you are someone with an interest in health, there will always be something here for you!

• Discover MSc Medical Parasitology & Entomology.
• Read more: I took the risk to leave biotech and get back to school, I'm glad I did it - Laura's LSHTM journey
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