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Summary

Schistosomiasis survey at Lake Albert, Uganda

Course details

Course type:

Master’s Programme

Director of studies:

Dr Sylviane Defres

Mode of study:

Duration:

1 Year

Home fee:

£11,760

Overseas fee:

£24,150 / LMIC fee : £13,150

3 good reasons to study

Infectious diseases are a global threat. The pandemic of COVID 19 has demonstrated the speed with which a virus can spread around the world and how active responsive research can find the tools for surveillance, diagnostics and new treatments. At the same time epidemics of Ebola, Yellow fever, Zika and Dengue continue, making headlines worldwide.

Neglected infections and non-communicable diseases contribute significantly to the burden of health needs in low- and middle-income settings and you will develop your management skills to deal with complex clinical scenarios in these settings.

You will develop critical awareness of global health priorities and an understanding of the research underpinning these. You will also be equipped with the tools to implement the latest evidence into clinical practice and become the leaders of the future.

If you are considering a master's degree starting in 2025 we are holding both online and on-campus open events for you to discover more about our programmes. Find out more

Why should I study tropical and infectious diseases?

Infectious diseases are a global threat. COVID-19 showed us just how quickly a virus spread across the world, creating chaos for health systems and devastation for families.

While that particular pandemic has peaked, epidemics such as Ebola, yellow fever, Zika and dengue continue to have a serious impact on the health, wellbeing and prosperity of lower- and middle-income countries across the globe.

This MSc will enhance your clinical competence and develop your management and leadership skills. It will support you to thrive in complex clinical scenarios, drive quality improvement and ease the burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases in communities with limited resources.

What will I get out of it?

During this one-year course, you will cultivate a critical awareness of global health priorities and a well-rounded grasp of relevant research and ethical considerations. In parallel, you will build an advanced professional toolkit that enables you to contribute to the improvement of health systems across the world, creating change where it is needed most.

You will consider vulnerable groups in society and examine the medical problems faced in low- and middle-income countries, to build a comprehensive understanding of influencing factors and barriers.

We will support you to choose modules that complement your professional interests and ambitions, and you will have the opportunity to develop these with an extended project at the end of the course. You will be encouraged to travel abroad for this, to get first-hand experience of the issues, and to begin implementing your enhanced skillset straight away.

Is Tropical and Infectious Diseases for me?

This clinical Master's is open to healthcare graduates with professional experience in a clinical setting at home or abroad. You might already work in a low- or middle-income country, or perhaps you would like to take your career in a new direction. If you want to broaden your professional knowledge of global healthcare issues, specialise in disease

prevention and treatment, and lead improvement across challenging healthcare settings, this course is for you.

Why LSTM?

Benefit from a clinical masters that combines current research with practical skills to give you a well-rounded professional toolkit.
Gain the knowledge and confidence to lead and improve clinical standards in low-resource environments.
Pursue your personal and professional interests with an extended project at home or abroad.

Course content

This clinical Master's focuses on the impact of infectious diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Semester 1

As well as a grounding Essential of Tropical Medicine, the first semester will provide core teaching on Evidence Application for Clinical Practice, looking at study design and critical appraisal, and applying it to practice. You'll also get an introduction to Leadership and Education in Clinical Practice, to help you utilise education principles in day-to-day clinical work and training programmes.

Semester 2

In the second semester you'll undertake core and optional modules that suit your interests and ambitions:

Leadership and Education Principles in Clinical Practice (core)
Epidemiology and Control of Tropical Pathogens OR
Quality Improvement for Health in Low Resource Settings
Advanced Clinical Management in HIV Endemic Settings (core)
Immunology of Tropical Diseases OR
Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Adolescent Health OR
Applied Statistics OR
Developing a Disease Control Programme

Semester 3

The third semester is your opportunity to carry out a self-directed 60-credit project on a subject you'd like to pursue. The type of project is up to you – it could be applied research or a systematic review; a quality improvement project or a clinical placement. You can choose to be based in Liverpool or take up a field work opportunity abroad.

Study pattern

After an introductory week, this one-year MSc is divided into three semesters. The first will cover mandatory taught modules, one of which will continue into the second semester. In the second semester, you'll study one core and two optional 20 credit modules from a variety of options. The third semester will be dedicated to your 60-credit project, which can be undertaken overseas.

For each 20 credit module, you are expected to spend about 200 hours learning, which includes contact time, self-directed learning and assessments.

Delivery

During the first two semesters, you'll be taught in-person by our academic and clinical experts, and learn from your fellow students and their valuable experiences across the world. Teaching methods are varied, combining theory and practice, and include lectures, case-based learning, small group work and simulation scenarios.

Your research project will be self-directed, giving you the chance to choose your topic, methods and location. It will build your research skills, enhance your professional competence and boost your personal confidence. We'll offer support throughout, and suggest modules that will develop the skills you want for your future.

Outcomes

Once you've completed the MSc in Tropical and Infectious Diseases, you'll have a comprehensive toolkit of knowledge and skills to take your career further.

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

Analyse current issues and priorities in the field of tropical medicine.
Apply research and quality improvement methods to address important questions or quality improvement concerns.
Evaluate how health systems and services respond to health issues.
Review health research and apply statistical knowledge to research studies.
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.

You'll build cognitive skills and be able to:

Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Use your knowledge and understanding in a variety of contexts to analyse and reach evidence-based conclusions on complex situations, problems and opportunities.
Apply the principles and values of ethical practice to the design and conduct of research or quality improvement studies, and in the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation and publication of data.
Demonstrate creativity, innovation and originality in the application of knowledge.
Learn independently through continuous professional development.

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

Manage your time and resources effectively.
Lead in the management of patients, teams, clinical services and projects.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, patients and the public, and act as an advocate to improve health for all, especially for disadvantaged groups.
Undertake your project in a responsible, safe and ethical manner and accurately record the data collected.

Entrance Requirements

Academic requirements:

Open to healthcare professional graduates with experience of professional work in clinical setting (preferably in LMICs).

Recognition of prior learning:

All programmes of study will permit entry with credit attributed to previous certificated study up to a total of one third of the credits required to be awarded an MSc Degree, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Award.

Work experience:

Non-graduates with considerable satisfactory work experience and evidence of appropriate in-service training will also be considered. Experience of working in a developing country is desirable.

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 2 years. Other English Language Tests and country specific English Language qualifications are also accepted – a full list with details of levels required can be found on the LSTM website (http://www.lstmed.ac.uk/study/how-to-apply/english-language-requirements). Applicants who have recently completed a degree level qualification taught in a majority English speaking country (as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)) may also be accepted at the discretion of the Director of Studies.

Other requirements:

None

Aims

This course aims to:

Develop students’ knowledge and comprehension of patient safety and quality improvement in health care, to enable students to develop and run their own quality improvement projects to improve the health of people in low- and middle-income settings.

Will allow students to critically evaluate evidence in the preventive and curative management strategies that promote health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries.

Facilitate high quality learning that is informed by critical analysis of current research in the area of tropical and infectious diseases.

Provide healthcare workers with professional skills including leadership and skills relevant to applying research-based evidence-based medicine in tropical and infectious diseases in low-and middle-income countries.

Enable students to comprehend and conduct health-related research. With an option of conducting a piece of health-related research as part of the dissertation.

Produce graduates who are experienced, committed, informed, pro-active and effective professionals, capable of taking substantial and leading healthcare professional roles.

Careers

The world needs experts in tropical and infectious disease, and this MSc will prepare you to step up and lead in clinical management, research and infection control across the globe.

You’ll build on existing skills and develop a wide range of new skills during your time on this clinical master’s, that will prepare you to work in healthcare leadership roles in low and middle income settings. You’ll be empowered to make a difference where it matters most, and you’ll have the professional skills and resilience to see it through, even in challenging circumstances.

You’ll also be well placed to move into research, with a strong foundation in research methodology and quality improvement that has seen many alumni published in peer-reviewed journals.

Testimonials

Studying in LSTM has been a life experience; from the wonderful classmates & lecturers to the beautiful city! Awesome!!! Dr Olawale Ogunlade 2019/20 from Nigeria

Studying in LSTM was a lifetime opportunity where LSTM supported me to grow personally, emotionally and academically. Dr Muna Jama 2019/20 from Djibouti

Exciting and excellent learning experience. It was rigorous, exciting and exception. Dr Andrew Moseray 2019/20 from Sierra Leone

Why LSTM? the reputation of the institution and the calibre of the people who are on the faculty here and I know from lots of people who I've met through my work in Infectious Diseases that LSTM's got a great reputation for teaching. (Dr David Barr, student 2015. Following the course, David is now a Wellcome Trust PhD Fellow researching TB in South Africa)

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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

MSc Tropical and Infectious Diseases