London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is a public research university in central London, specialising in public and global health, with a strong focus on tropical medicine. Founded in 1899 by Sir Patrick Manson with funding from Bomanjee Dinshaw Petit, the school has evolved into a leading institution in health research and education. It holds a Royal Charter since 1924 and is located in Bloomsbury.


The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has conducted extensive research on measles, focusing on vaccine efficacy, immunity, and elimination strategies. A study published in The Lancet Public Health in September 2024 revealed that the MMR vaccine remains highly effective, with over 95% of individuals protected for life.
 

LSHTM is ranked #2 worldwide for public health in the 2024 Shanghai Ranking and #1 in the UK for the percentage of research published by female authors (CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024). The school employs around 3,500 staff working across more than 100 countries. Its annual research income exceeds £190 million, supporting a wide range of projects addressing global health challenges.


In 2025, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has about 4,500 students in total. This includes around 1,200 students studying face-to-face in Master's and Doctoral programmes, approximately 2,500 students enrolled in distance learning courses, and about 900 students taking short courses and continuous professional development programmes.
 

The institution is organised into three main faculties: Epidemiology and Population Health; Infectious and Tropical Diseases; and Public Health and Policy. LSHTM operates multiple specialised research centres, such as the Centre for Epidemic Preparedness and Response, the Vaccine Centre, and the Malaria Centre. These centres integrate laboratory, clinical, population, and social science research, with a focus on infectious diseases, chronic conditions, health policy, and global health equity.
 

LSHTM offers postgraduate degrees including MSc, MPhil, PhD, and professional diplomas, with courses delivered both in London and via distance learning. The school collaborates with international universities and organisations including the World Health Organization, universities in Asia, Africa, and Europe, and global health networks.

Historically, LSHTM has contributed to critical discoveries such as the role of mosquitoes in disease transmission, the link between smoking and lung cancer, and effective tuberculosis treatments. It played key roles in responding to outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19, providing research, training, and policy advice.
 

The school also promotes widening access through scholarship funds to support talented students worldwide. LSHTM’s mission is to improve health globally, working towards a healthier, sustainable, and equitable future.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) was established on 2 October 1899 by Sir Patrick Manson, a Scottish physician recognised as the father of tropical medicine. Its founding was made possible by a donation from the Indian Parsi philanthropist Bomanjee Dinshaw Petit. The school was originally located at the Albert Dock Seamen’s Hospital in London’s East End. Its primary purpose was to train medical professionals in tropical diseases, to support Britain’s colonial administration and healthcare needs.
 

In 1924, the school was granted a Royal Charter and renamed the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. A major milestone followed with the construction of a new building on Keppel Street in Bloomsbury, funded by a $2 million gift from the Rockefeller Foundation. This Art Deco building, designed by architects Morley Horder and Verner Rees, was officially opened in 1929 and featured symbolic elements reflecting the school’s focus on public health and tropical medicine.
 

Throughout the 20th century, LSHTM expanded both its research and teaching activities. During the First and Second World Wars, the school contributed to training medical personnel and conducting research on tropical diseases affecting military personnel. In 1934, the Ross Institute for Tropical Hygiene was incorporated into LSHTM, named after Nobel laureate Sir Ronald Ross, further strengthening the school’s research capabilities.
 

The school made early contributions to medical science, such as proving mosquitoes transmit diseases like malaria and filariasis. It played a role in the first randomised controlled trial for tuberculosis treatment and identified links between smoking and lung cancer. Nobel laureate Max Theiler was an alumnus for his work on yellow fever.

In recent decades, LSHTM has grown into a leading global institution in public health. It has been active in major health crises, including the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing through research, training, and policy advice. The school expanded its international presence with research units in The Gambia and Uganda and maintains collaborations with numerous institutions worldwide.

As of 2025, LSHTM employs thousands of staff globally, operates specialised research centres, and offers a wide range of postgraduate programmes delivered in London and online. The school continues its mission to improve health and equity globally through research, education, and practical interventions. In 2025, the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) has about 4,500 students in total. This includes around 1,200 students studying face-to-face in Master's and Doctoral programmes, approximately 2,500 students enrolled in distance learning courses, and about 900 students taking short courses and continuous professional development programmes.

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The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) offers a wide range of postgraduate courses focused on public health, tropical medicine, epidemiology, and related fields. The school does not offer undergraduate degrees; instead, it provides master’s degrees, research degrees, professional diplomas, and short courses designed for students and professionals interested in advancing global health.
 

LSHTM’s main academic offerings are divided across its three faculties: the Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health; the Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases; and the Faculty of Public Health and Policy. Each faculty provides specialised master’s courses, research degrees, and training programmes.

The Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health offers master's courses in subjects such as Epidemiology, Public Health, Medical Statistics, and Global Health Sciences. These programmes cover methods to study diseases in populations, design and analyse clinical trials, and develop public health policies. Students learn how to apply statistical tools and research techniques to understand health trends and improve health outcomes.
 

The Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases provides courses on tropical medicine, infectious diseases, vaccine development, and disease control. Key master’s programmes include Control of Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine and International Health, and Clinical Trials. These courses focus on understanding diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and neglected tropical diseases, alongside strategies for prevention, treatment, and global health policy development.

The Faculty of Public Health and Policy delivers programmes in Health Policy, Planning and Financing; Public Health; Global Mental Health; and Health Economics, among others. These courses prepare students to work on health systems, policy design, health financing, and the social and environmental factors influencing health. They also cover research methods and the translation of research into practice.
 

Beyond master’s degrees, LSHTM offers research degrees such as MPhil, PhD, and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH). These are aimed at students who wish to conduct in-depth research and contribute original knowledge to global health.

The school also runs professional diplomas, including the Professional Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, which is offered in partnership with institutions in Africa, Asia, and the USA. This diploma is designed for health professionals working in tropical settings, offering practical and theoretical training.

In addition to full programmes, LSHTM provides numerous short courses and continuing professional development opportunities, available both in-person and online. These courses cover a variety of topics including outbreak response, health economics, and biostatistics.
 

LSHTM delivers many of its courses through both face-to-face teaching in London and distance learning, allowing students worldwide to access its programmes. Distance learning courses include master’s degrees and professional diplomas designed to be flexible for working professionals.
 

The school places strong emphasis on research-led teaching, ensuring that students learn the latest scientific evidence and practical approaches. The diverse student body includes individuals from many countries, creating a rich environment for global health discussions.
 

Scholarships and funding opportunities are available to support students, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. This helps widen access to education and supports LSHTM’s mission of improving health equity globally.

• Ranked 2nd in the world for Public Health by the Shanghai Ranking (2024).
• Placed 40th globally in Life Sciences and Medicine according to QS World University Rankings (2024).
• Ranked 50th in Clinical Medicine and Pharmacy by the Academic Ranking of World Universities (2023).
• Positioned 2nd worldwide in Public, Environmental, and Occupational Health by US News & World Report (2024–2025).
• Placed 4th in Infectious Diseases and 15th in Social Sciences and Public Health globally by US News (2024–2025).
• Ranked 1st in the UK for the percentage of research published by female authors (CWTS Leiden Ranking, 2024).
• Achieved top rankings for research impact and collaboration in Europe and worldwide.

While exact placement figures are not publicly detailed, about 85% of graduates find relevant roles or further study within six months. Alumni work in organisations such as the WHO, UNICEF, Médecins Sans Frontières, and national health services. LSHTM’s global partnerships and extensive alumni network enhance career opportunities worldwide. The school also offers platforms like LSHTM Connect to foster professional networking, helping graduates build careers in the public and global health sectors.

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