Overview

Structure

How you study

Fees & funding

Entry requirements

How to apply

Overview

Overview - Global Health Policy by Distance Learning

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Humanity is faced with many health-related challenges – non-communicable diseases, new and existing pathogens, environmental degradation, political and economic instability, conflict. These increasingly transcend national boundaries. Embracing the values of health equity, universal health coverage, and the improvement of health worldwide, you can join these efforts when you study with us.

Study Global Healthy Policy by distance learning and you’ll benefit from our multidisciplinary expertise in areas including public health, epidemiology, health economics and political science. You will have an opportunity apply this knowledge to issues such as health systems, environmental health and infectious disease, with the support of academics who are active global researchers and policy influencers. With our flexible online format, you will be able to access your study materials wherever you are in the world and study at your own pace, at a time convenient to you.

Probe big topics such as the impact of economics and politics on global health and global health policy. Explore how climate change and environmental degradation affect health and challenge health policymaking. Soon you’ll develop the conceptual understanding you need to make a difference in your field.

What you will learn

Project option: if you are an MSc student who has selected the Project option, you will be able to carry out a supervised independent research and produce a well-crafted report that synthesises research, analysis, and clear argumentation.

This self-study course is delivered online. You won’t have to pause your career and you can study from anywhere in the world, at your own pace for up to five years. You will have an opportunity to complete an independent research project on a global health policy issue of interest to you.

The programme has four social science-focused core modules to delve into – covering economics and how it shapes global health policy, the political nature of policymaking, the relationship between environmental change and global health policy, and a module that invites you to explore important public health challenges and issues that affect policymaking. You will also be able to select modules that match your interests from a range of elective modules.

Throughout, you’ll be encouraged to develop lifelong learning and transferrable skills – critical and analytical thinking, complex problem solving, research leadership, persuasion and negotiation, innovation, collaboration – and much more. Alongside peers with a range of different academic and professional backgrounds, you’ll gain unique insights into global health policy.

Once you complete the core modules, you have the option to apply for the blended learning option to study up to two modules on-campus in London. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet other students and tutors in person; and engage in face-to-face discussion-based learning.

Who is it for?

We’ve designed this course for anyone with an interest in understanding and impacting policymaking or for those who are motivated to analyse the content and implications of health policy and associated politics in their own professional field.

Doctors, hospital managers, political scientists, social science graduates, those already working for industry or local and national governments, and civil society organisations - the course appeals to a range of professionals with both clinical and non-clinical backgrounds. You’ll be keen to understand how and why policies are made and what influence you might be able to exert on the process of policymaking and the content of policies.

Having built up skills in a range of key topics, you’ll finish the course ready to progress your career or assume new positions related to global health policy in national, regional or global health organisations. Or perhaps you’ll influence health-related research institutions, non-governmental organisations or private consultancies.

Duration

Global Health Policy by Distance Learning - Chelsea's story

Description

Chelsea studied Global Health Policy by Distance Learning in New Zealand whilst balancing a career in food systems policy and research. Hear what she has to say about her distance learning experience.

Youtube link

Structure

Structure - Global Health Policy by Distance Learning

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The below structure outlines the proposed modules for this programme. Programme and module specifications provide full details about the aims and objectives of each module, what you will study and how the module is assessed.

The programmes aim to:

It is possible to register for the PG Certificate in the first instance then, on successful completion of the compulsory core modules, extend your registration to the PG Diploma or MSc.

The majority of modules listed below are also available to study as individual modules.

(Note that restrictions and pre-requisites may apply to some of the modules above. Not all elective modules will be available every year).

All MSc students have the option to apply to undertake the Project module (GHM300), which is equivalent to three module credits.

Student learning will be evaluated by a range of methods, including formative assignments, assessed assignments and unseen written examinations.

Details of how learning will be assessed in each module are provided in the module specification.

Examinations take place once a year in June.

Credits will be awarded for all modules (15 credits each) and the project (MSc only, 45 credits) if successfully completed. To successfully pass an award, the following credits must be gained:

After successful completion of a minimum number of core modules, Postgraduate Diploma and MSc students may also be eligible for the blended learning option, which allows for the study of up to two modules only (from a restricted list) at LSHTM in London during the Spring or Summer terms in place of distance learning modules. Please note that these options, and the dates when the modules are held at LSHTM, are subject to change - full details will be sent to all distance learning students in July each years will be sent to all distance learning students in July each year.

Changes to the course

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Changes to the programme

LSHTM will seek to deliver this programme in accordance with the description set out on this programme page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for LSHTM to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

How you study

How you study - Global Health Policy by Distance Learning

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Teaching and learning strategy

Learning is self-directed against a detailed set of learning objectives using the study materials provided. Module tutors provide asynchronous support for students by replying to students’ questions in open online discussion forums and facilitating discussion. Students are also encouraged to participate in live webinars led by module teaching teams. The live webinars are recorded and available for subsequent download.

Resources

The programme is delivered using a variety of study resources including lecture notes and a selection of essential and recommended readings and activities. 

All essential and some recommended readings are provided for each session in the Library section of each module area of LSHTM’s virtual learning environment, Moodle. Essential readings are a compulsory part of the study materials, while recommended readings are provided for further reference and research. 

Students are encouraged to communicate with tutors and fellow students via Moodle in module specific web-based discussion forums. In this way, students can ask questions, engage in discussion, peer-to-peer learning, and develop and negotiate conclusions with others, which are key components in the acquisition of knowledge, understanding and transferable skills. Students are also invited to participate in real time webinars or listen to recordings of these. 

Further information about the teaching & learning strategy and resources for each module is provided in the relevant module specification.

Flexible study

We know that if you have a full-time job, family or other commitments, and wish to study at a distance, you will have many calls on your time. The course allows you to study independently, at a time and pace that suits you (subject to some course-specific deadlines) using the comprehensive study materials provided, with support available from academic staff. You have between 1-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Certificate, and between 2-5 years in which to complete the Postgraduate Diploma or the MSc. 

The study year for most modules runs from the beginning of October through to the June exams. Tutorial support is available throughout this time. Students carrying out projects are assigned personal supervisors to support their project work which is mostly carried out between June and the end of September in their final year.

Global Health Policy by Distance Learning - Kelsey's story

Description

Global Health Policy student from Canada, Kelsey Yaremko, tells us about her programme, studies and career as a Dental Hygienist.

Youtube link

Fees & funding

Fees and funding - distance learning except Clinical Trials and Public Health

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Fees

The fees below refer to the 2026/27 academic year. 

Fees may be paid in two ways:

In year one, pay the initial registration fee, plus the fee for each module you are taking in the first year.  Then, in subsequent years, pay the fee for each new module you take.

Or, pay in full.  If you pay in full at the start of your studies the registration fee will be included.

Fees in 2026/27 if paying as you go:

Blended learning fees (for distance learning students attending modules in London) 

Information on Individual modules (taken on a stand-alone basis with no registration fee) can be found here.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements - Global Health Policy by distance learning

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Academic requirements

All applicants are required to have:

All applicants are required to have:

If you have not previously studied in the UK, you can check our guide to international equivalent qualifications for our master's degrees.

English language requirements - distance learning

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English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to meet these requirements: Band B.

Some applicants may be exempt if they have previously studied in English or meet other specified criteria. Please see our English language requirements for details.

It is possible to apply without English language test results however the results of a test may be listed as a condition of an offer of admission. 

Computer requirements - distance learning

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Computer requirements

To get the most from your studies, your computer should have at least the following minimum specification:

and the following applications installed:

*Full mobile access is not available for all programmes

How to apply

How to apply - applications (distance learning)

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Applications should be made online and will only be considered once you have provided all required information and supporting documentation.

Please also read LSHTM's Admissions policies (pdf) prior to submitting your application.

You can apply for up to two master's programmes. Make sure to list them by order of preference as consideration will be given to your top choice first.

How to apply - deadline and fees (distance learning)

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Please ensure you pay careful attention to the content of your personal statement (page limit: 1 page). We do not invite applicants for interviews, so the clarity and relevance of the information you provide in your personal statement are of considerable importance to us. We would like to know your experiences in relevant fields(s), your reasons for applying to our programme, what you hope to gain from the training we offer, and how you intend to use the knowledge and skills you acquired to further your career and contribute to improving health.

Application fee

A standard non-refundable application fee of ￡50 applies to all taught programmes (Master's, PG Certificate and PG Diploma) and is payable upon application submission. Income generated from the application fee is shared between scholarships and the student hardship funds.

Tuition fee deposit

Applicants are required to respond to their offer of admission and pay the ￡500 deposit within 28 days of receipt, or their place will be released and the offer automatically declined. The deposit is deductible from tuition fees upon full registration with LSHTM. Applicants in receipt of a full scholarship will not be required to pay the deposit.

Application deadline and other key dates

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Citation

Julian Zedler, Germany

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"LSHTM was well known to me as one of the best public health schools in the world. My knowledge is already helping me to make sound decisions in the field, especially when working with scarce resources and in complex settings."

Admissions Application