Online DTMH: LSTM’s Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene by Distance Learning
- News
14 May 2026
Our most significant DTMH update in 80 years
LSTM has trained clinicians in tropical medicine for more than a century. We launched the Diploma in Tropical Medicine in 1904, making it the first qualification of its kind in the world. In 1946, it merged with the Diploma in Tropical Hygiene to become the Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTMH) we offer today. Over the past 80 years, thousands of DTMH graduates have gone on to work in hospitals, research institutions, humanitarian organisations and public health agencies across every continent.
Now, we are preparing to launch the most significant update to this qualification in its history: an online version of the DTMH. It will deliver the same rigorous training for clinicians who cannot step away from practice for three months.
Frequently asked questions about the online DTMH
Can I study the online DTMH while working full time?
Yes. The online pathway is designed for working clinicians. Live sessions are optional and recorded, so you can watch them later if you are unable to attend. There is no requirement to attend at fixed times.
What is the expected engagement hours per week for the course?
The course is flexible and self-paced. The expected engagement is approximately 10–12 hours per week.
Will there be any live sessions?
Yes. The course includes live webinars and expert-led clinical or scenario-based discussion touchpoints. All sessions are recorded, and attendance at live sessions is optional.
Will there be any personal contact?
Yes. Students will have regular contact with each other through asynchronous activities, as well as access to course facilitators and expert leads.
Is the online DTMH the same qualification as the in-person course?
Yes. Both pathways lead to the same LSTM Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene. The curriculum and learning outcomes will be the same. Only the delivery method changes.
How long does the online DTMH take to complete?
The online DTMH duration is 9 months, from January to September.
Do I need to attend any in-person components?
No. The online DTMH is delivered fully online, and there are no in-person attendance requirements.
What are the entry requirements for the online DTMH?
Applicants should hold a recognised medical qualification and are advised to have at least two years’ clinical experience post-qualification. Advanced nurse practitioners with relevant infection experience may also be considered.
How will the online DTMH content be assessed?
Students must complete a final exam. The exam is conducted fully online, and no additional exams are required after successful completion of the course, as LSTM is a recognised awarding university.
Will I have access to LSTM tutors and support?
Yes. Online students will be taught by the same LSTM faculty who deliver the in-person course, with dedicated support for distance learners.
Can I switch between online and in-person pathways?
No. Students cannot switch between the online and in-person pathways once enrolled. Applicants should choose the delivery method that best suits their needs before starting the course.
How the virtual lab works
The virtual lab is delivered through expert-led demonstrations, digital microscopy, and case-based learning activities. Students develop laboratory interpretation skills by working through guided examples and clinical scenarios. For those who wish to gain hands-on experience, an optional in-person parasitology practical short course is available separately, with an alumni discount for online DTMH students. Applicants may also wish to consider our face-to-face DTMH course delivered in Liverpool.
Online DTMH vs in-person DTMH: key differences
| Feature | Face-to-Face DTMH | Online DTMH |
|---|---|---|
| Study mode | Full-time | Part-time |
| Delivery mode | In-person, on-campus learning | Fully online, accessible globally |
| Duration | September to December | 9 months (January–September) |
| Schedule | Full-time timetable with scheduled sessions | Part-time, flexible, self-paced learning, 10–12 hours/week |
| Live sessions | In-person teaching and practical sessions | Optional live expert-led sessions with recordings available |
| Practical / lab skills | Comprehensive hands-on laboratory training, including microscopy and slide preparation | Virtual demonstrations and case-based learning |
| Personal contact | Frequent face-to-face contact with faculty and peers | Continuous contact between students, with ongoing access to course facilitators and expert leads |
| In-person attendance | Required | Not required |
| Best suited for | Clinicians able to commit to full-time, immersive study | Working clinicians balancing study with clinical practice |
Why this matters now
Global health needs more clinicians trained in tropical medicine, not fewer. For decades, the requirement to spend three months on campus in Liverpool placed the DTMH out of reach for many of the people best placed to use it: doctors working in regions where this expertise is most needed, clinicians unable to step away from a contract or practice for a full term, and trainees balancing study with family or service commitments.
The online DTMH removes that barrier without compromising the qualification. Students study the same curriculum, learn from the same LSTM faculty, and graduate with the same diploma. What changes is access and, after more than 80 years, that change is long overdue.
Take the next step
Applications for the January 2027 intake are now open, and demand for the online pathway is expected to be high.