Acing your master’s application in 2026: In-depth tips from current student Ann Sofie
14 April 2026 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine https://lshtm.ac.uk/themes/custom/lshtm/images/lshtm-logo-black.png
Applying to your dream master's programme at LSHTM? It may feel quite daunting to know where to start; hence, I have compiled some personal tips for you to navigate the application process. I'm here to provide you with ideas of relevant experiences to include in your application answers for the personal statement, and offer general application tips and guidelines.
Why have you chosen to apply for the programme?
The first question asks: 'Please tell us why you have chosen to apply for this particular programme, what specifically motivates you about this subject?'
As a rule of thumb, although it is fine for the answers to these questions to overlap, try to focus specifically on the question asked. The first question in the application would encourage you to describe which events or experiences may have influenced your interest in applying for this specific programme. Here, you can draw on inspiration from your professional, academic or personal experiences. For instance, this could be a particular project you were a part of during your undergraduate studies, or a role you had in your professional life, that made you gain an interest in entering this field of study.
As LSHTM offers many different master's courses, I would encourage you to be specific about your motivations for the chosen programme. It may be useful to have a look through the module list for the master's programme you are interested in applying to. This will allow you to tailor your application to the content covered, reinforcing your motivation to study that particular programme.
In general, for these questions, make sure to expand on the relevance of each point you are making, rather than just stating it. For instance, if you are describing an experience, briefly explain what that experience has taught you or what you gained from it, and how that may relate to the specific field you are interested in pursuing as a career path.
Qualifications and experiences
Next up, we have questions 2 and 4: “Please tell us how your qualifications and studies to date have helped you prepare for this programme” and “Please tell us what else you have done outside of education for your study and why these experiences are useful/relevant. We are particularly interested to hear about any relevant work experience”.
These questions may seem similar; however, note that question 2 specifically relates to any academic or professional qualifications you may have, whereas question 4 aims to dive into any extra-curricular opportunities or work experiences you may have gained during or after your studies. For question 2, focus on which modules or projects you may have undertaken, and describe how these have either helped your understanding or allowed you to gain a novel skillset relevant to this master's programme. For question 4, include relevant work experience such as volunteering roles, jobs or certain internships you may have had.
For instance, I worked as a summer research assistant at the medical research council within their pathology and clinical chemistry department, where I gained a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms and pathophysiology, which is key to grasping how infectious disease agents affect the body. I directly related the skills I learnt as an intern, to the Masters programme I was applying for, demonstrating how both transferable and health-specific skills are relevant within a career in global health or infectious disease control.
Every person who joins LSHTM comes with a different background and skillset.
As you are about to write your application, it is important to remember that some experiences you may have had, although not directly related to your chosen programme, may still hold relevance. You can write about transferable skills or perspectives you have gained through different roles or activities. For example, during your academic journey, you may have been a sports captain, gaining leadership skills and the ability to manage a team under pressure. You could then expand on how that role may have influenced your career goals within infectious disease control. Every experience can be seen as a strength; the important thing is to focus on making your application personable and specific to you.
Your career ambitions
By now, you should have a solid grasp of how to structure your answers for your application. Hence, for question 3, “Please tell us how your chosen field of study fits into your career objectives,” you should seek to explain how your master's of interest fits into your future and how studying this particular programme will help you reach your career goals. You could include specifics about which direction you are headed, i.e. a PhD or working in a specific role.
If you are feeling overwhelmed at this stage about where this MSc may take you, that’s okay too. Use this space to write about the skills and knowledge you may gain or want to develop from your chosen programme, aligning with your future aspirations.
Personally I was undecided at the time of my application, so instead, I focused on the knowledge and skills that I would gain from this course and the LSHTM experience overall. My travels in South East Asia have had a great influence in my interest in pursuing a career in global health, hence I wrote how this MSc programme could lead me on a path that would create the most impact whilst connecting with like-minded individuals at LSHTM.
Support from the School
In addition to this blog, the School hosts several different in-person and virtual open day events, providing help and guidance with any university or course-specific questions. Q&A sessions offer you a great opportunity to ask any additional questions you may have about your course of interest, and they may help you to assess which experiences would be relevant to discuss in your application. Student & alumni ambassadors can also be contacted if you have any interest in hearing about their experiences at LSHTM or studying a specific course.
Apply early!
Make sure to start your application early to ensure you have enough time to provide references, edit your application answers and respond to any queries from the Admissions team. It could take time to find accommodation in London, which can be a long and tedious process, so I’d recommend an early submission to allow you time after receiving your offer to plan and apply for student halls or search for other accommodation options, easing your transition to London before your programme begins.