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Summary

Course details

Course type:

Master’s Programme

Director of studies:

Professor Tony Nolan

Director of studies email:

study@lstmed.ac.uk

Mode of study:

Duration:

1 Year

Home fee:

£11,760

Overseas fee:

£24,150

3 good reasons to study

This programme gives a fully immersive experience of what it means to do scientific research

Students will undertake an 8 month project (120 credits) that will allow them to integrate into an active research group providing access to world-leading experts and networking opportunities. There is an expectation towards publication in a peer reviewed journal.

Students will be taught a range of academic and professional skills that will prepare them for future careers in research in academia and the private and non-profit sectors.

If you are considering a Master's programme starting in September 2025 we are holding an on-campus open event for you to discover more about our programmes. Register Now

Why should I study an MRes in Tropical Health and Infectious Disease?

Poor health and wellbeing among low- and middle-income populations in the tropics is a persisting problem, with infectious diseases and other preventable conditions contributing to unacceptable global health inequalities.

In these areas – some of the poorest in the world – resources are limited, and health systems are struggling. With population growth and climate change escalating the situation, new approaches are needed.

This MRes will give you the skills you need for a career researching innovative and effective ways to address some of the world's greatest challenges and give you the tools to improve quality of life for millions.

What will I get out of it?

Combining research-informed taught elements with your own active research, you'll get a grounding in important research themes and methods, including basic, clinical and public health research, and have the opportunity to apply them.

You'll be given the freedom to become part of an active research group, contributing to the design and execution of a real research project in the field of tropical health and infectious disease.

Transferable skills, including effective collaboration, ethical project planning and confirmation complete the package, setting you up for a meaningful career in research and empowering you to have an impact.

Is Tropical Health and Infectious Disease Research for me?

If you want to be part of a passionate research community with the potential to change lives, this MRes will give you the foundations you need to thrive.

Our professional and academic experts will teach you the basics of research design, methodology and analysis, support you to conduct high-quality independent research and empower you to pursue your interests. With two-thirds of the programme dedicated to your chosen research project, this is a great opportunity to get a head start in your research career and delve into a subject you love.

To apply for this programme you must have an Honours degree (2.ii or equivalent) in the biological sciences, or a medical or veterinary degree. If you don't have this kind of qualification but have extensive relevant experience, and you're based outside the UK, you may also be considered. We also accept medical and veterinary students who wish to intercalate.

Why LSTM?

Work with experts in the field and get a real taste of what it's like to conduct scientific research.
Collaborate with an active research group during your research project in a subject of your choice, with the opportunity to work abroad.
Hone your research skills, build international networks and have the opportunity for your research to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Meet our Director of Studies, Professor Tony Nolan.

Course content

The programme is focused around your 120-credit research project, which can be desk, lab or field-based, and you can choose from a substantial list of research questions offered by supervisors. You should start thinking about your preferred research area before you apply and discuss potential projects at the start of the programme and select a shortlist of preferred options as soon as possible.

The taught element of the course should support your preferred area of research, and you can choose from a variety of options.

Semester 1

Choose one 20 credit module in key research methods:

Research Methods in Tropical Disease Biology OR
Research Methods in Public Health
Choose one 20 credit module in key themes:

Biology of Tropical Health, Pathogens and Vectors of Disease OR
Public Health Policies, Programmes and Strategies: Concepts and Methods OR
Essentials of Tropical Medicine (only suitable for qualified medics or late stage intercalating medical students)

You'll also take the compulsory Academic and Professional Skills unit, covering key skills including data analysis, grant proposals and design management across semesters 1, 2 and 3.

Study pattern

Completed over one year, the first semester of the MRes is made up of two taught 20-credit units, and the second and third semesters are dedicated to your 120-credit research project. You'll spend half a day per week throughout the year on your 20-credit Academic and Professional Skills module.

Each 20-credit module represents 200 hours of learning, including assessment and self-directed study. The 120-credit research project can be lab, data or literature-based at LSTM, or you can choose to conduct a fieldwork-based project in the UK or overseas.

Delivery

We want you to express your full potential and offer a combination of formal teaching and directed student-centred learning to support this.

Lectures will highlight key points and provide core knowledge, which you will enhance and build on through enquiry-based self-directed study, supported by online content available through a personalised virtual learning environment (VLE).

A substantial proportion of this programme involves self-directed research, and you will be supported throughout this by informal staff contact, scheduled help sessions and online discussions. Group work will provide interaction, stimulation and debate, and open up new and interesting opportunities.

Outcomes

Once you have completed the MRes in Tropical Health and Infectious Disease Research, you'll have a comprehensive skillset to take your research career further.

You'll develop knowledge and understanding and be able to:

Define and critically appraise current issues and priorities in the fields of:

biology, including molecular and cellular biology
host-pathogen interaction
epidemiology and control of pathogens, vectors of disease and other organisms.

Critically appraise public health approaches, policies and strategies in a variety of social, epidemiological, cultural, economic and political settings across tropical and resource-limited regions of the world.
Understand approaches to developing policy and enhancing practice based upon sound, evidence-based principles.
Apply skills to the diagnosis, management and control of tropical parasitic, bacterial, viral and fungal infections.
Assess the interplay with non-communicable diseases in a variety of regional and resource settings.
Review, identify and describe appropriate research methods to answer research questions relating to public health concerns in low-resource settings in the tropics and sub-tropics.
Critically appraise and evaluate current methods, findings, and research developments related to public health concerns in low-resource settings in the tropics and sub-tropics.

You'll build cognitive skills and be able to:

Use your knowledge and understanding in a variety of contexts to analyse and reach evidence-based conclusions on complex situations, problems and opportunities.
Review the principles and values of ethical practice regarding the design and practice of research studies, and consent and confidentiality in the collection, presentation and publication of data.
Demonstrate creativity, innovation, and originality in the application of knowledge.

You'll add to your practical and professional skills and be able to:

Identify a hypothesis, formulate a research question, devise an appropriate research strategy and take a systematic approach to project planning and management.
Perform research using ethically appropriate techniques, methods and data collection.
Critically appraise and select effective means of reporting and communicating research questions, strategies and findings across different contexts and environments.
Manage, analyse, and critically interpret data collected in the lab, field, and in silico.

Entrance Requirements

Academic requirements:

Open to graduates with an Honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) in the biological sciences or a medical/veterinary degree. Overseas candidates with other qualifications may be accepted, particularly if they have the relevant experience through working in an appropriate field for a number of years. Medical or veterinary students who have completed at least three years of study and wish to intercalate are also accepted onto the programme.

Recognition of prior learning:

All programmes of study will permit entry with credit attributed to previous certified study up to a total of one third of the credits requirement to be awarded a master's, postgraduate diploma, postgraduate certificate or postgraduate award.

Work experience:

Non-graduates with considerable satisfactory work experience of appropriate in-service training will also be considered.

English language requirements:

The programme is taught in English. Applicants whose first language is not English must normally provide evidence of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all learning components, or a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 88 for the Internet-based Test (iBT), with minimum scores of 21 for listening and writing, 22 for reading and 23 for speaking.

Tests should be within their validity period of two years.

Other English language tests and country specific English language qualifications are also accepted, and a full list can be found on our English Language Requirements page.

Applicants who have recently completed a degree level qualification taught in a majority English speaking country (as identified by UK Visas and Immigration UKVI) may also be accepted at the discretion of the Director of Studies.

How to Apply

Details on how to apply for our programmes can be found on our How to Apply page.

Aims

This course aims to:

Develop students’ experience in generating hypotheses, identifying, conceptualising and framing research questions, conducting experiments, critically analysing data, discussing findings and identifying conclusions with relevance to basic, clinical or public health research in low resource settings in the tropics and subtropics.

Provide students with an extensive and immersive experience of what it means to perform academic research in science and thus make more informed choices about future careers in academia, industry, NGOs or other sectors.

Evaluate current issues and priorities with regard to tropical health and infectious disease research in tropical and resource-limited regions of the world.

To equip students with transferable abilities and skills in critical and reflective thinking, effective, independent and collaborative team working, problem-solving, ethical project planning and management, and confident communication within a range of environments/contexts.

Careers

At the end of this programme, you will be well prepared for a PhD or a career in tropical health and infectious disease research – in a lab, or in the field in low-resource settings overseas.

You will be a highly skilled, independent researcher, equipped to pursue high-level research or an applied career. Your critical analysis and collaboration skills will set you up to work for a diverse range of public and private employers.

Many of our alumni hold prominent positions in health ministries, universities, hospitals, and international organisations throughout the world. Your training in research methodology and analysis will open up exciting opportunities to work abroad for NGOs, military or public health employers, where your expertise will be invaluable.

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Apply

Start date	End date	Home fee	Overseas fee
9 September 2024	8 September 2025	£11,200	£23,000	Apply
8 September 2025	7 September 2026	£11,760	£24,150	Apply

Start date:
9 September 2024

End date:
8 September 2025

Home fee:
£11,200

Overseas fee:
£23,000

Apply
Start date:
8 September 2025

End date:
7 September 2026

Home fee:
£11,760

Overseas fee:
£24,150

Apply

MRes Tropical Health and Infectious Disease Research