Programme Specification

2021–2022

Public Health
(with additional specialist
subject streams at MSc
level)

MSc
PGDip
PGCert
Individual courses

Important document – please read

 Programme Specification 2021-2022 Public Health (and additional specialist subject
streams) (MSc/PGDip/PGCert/Individual modules)

Table of Contents
Important information regarding the Programme Specification ............................................2
Alternative Assessments during the Coronavirus (COVID19) Outbreak ..............................3
Programme title and qualifications .......................................................................................4
Entrance requirements .........................................................................................................8
Educational aims and learning outcomes of the programmes .............................................9
Learning, teaching and assessment strategies ..................................................................11
Assessment methods .........................................................................................................11
Student support and guidance ...........................................................................................12
Quality evaluation and enhancement .................................................................................13
After graduation ..................................................................................................................14

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 Programme Specification 2021-2022 Public Health (and additional specialist subject
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Important information regarding the Programme Specification

Last revised 02 July 2021

About this document

The Programme Specification gives a broad outline of the structure and content of the
programme, the entry level qualifications, as well as the learning outcomes students will
achieve as they progress. Some of the information referred to in this programme
specification is included in more detail on the University of London website. Where this is the
case, links to the relevant webpage are included.

Where links to external organisations are provided, the University of London is not
responsible for their content and does not recommend nor necessarily agree with opinions
expressed and services provided at those sites.

If you have a query about any of the programme information provided, whether here or on
the website, registered students should use the ‘ask a question’ button in the student portal
otherwise the Contact Us button on each webpage should be used.

Terminology
The following language is specific to the Public Health programmes:
Modules: Individual units of the programme are called modules. Each module is a self-
contained, formally structured learning experience with a coherent and explicit set of learning
outcomes and assessment criteria.

Key revisions made

Programme specifications are revised annually. The Senate Postgraduate Teaching
Committee of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, as part of its annual
review of standards, confirms the programme structure and the educational aims and
learning outcomes, and advises on any development in student support.
Any changes that may impact on continuing students are listed below. For all new students,
the programme and general information provided in this document is correct and accurate
and will be applicable for the current year.

Significant changes made to the programme specification 2021-2022:

There are no significant changes to the programme in 2021-2022.

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Alternative Assessments during the Coronavirus (COVID19)

Outbreak
In line with our current General Regulations, the University may offer you alternative
assessments where necessary. This includes holding online timed assessments in place of
written examinations, which are usually held at examination centres. Please note that this
statement replaces any published information relating to assessments or written
examinations in any of our materials including the website. Previously published materials
relating to examinations should therefore be read in conjunction with this statement.
The University of London continues to work towards supporting the academic progression of
all its students. The University also continues to be mindful of the health and wellbeing of its
students during this pandemic, whilst protecting the academic standards of its awards.

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Programme title and qualifications

Postgraduate Degrees of the University of London may be classified. The qualification
certificate will indicate the level of the academic performance achieved by classifying the
qualification. The classification of the degree will be based on the ratified marks from the
completed assessments.
The classification system for the Public Health programmes is as follows:
Distinction; Merit; Pass.
Specific rules for the classification of awards are given in the Programme Regulations,
under Scheme of Award.

Programme title
Public Health

Qualifications
Master of Science in Public Health
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health
On successful completion of the MSc programme students will receive a Master's degree in
Public Health which will reflect their choice of stream:

• Public Health

• Public Health (Environment and Health)

• Public Health (Health Promotion)

• Public Health (Health Services Management)

Exit qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health
Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health
An exit qualification is an intermediate qualification for which the student may not have
registered at the outset but which may be awarded on completion of specific modules (or
credit accumulated) in a longer programme of study, if the student leaves the programme.
Exit qualifications are awarded at the discretion of the Board of Examiners and once a
student has accepted an exit qualification they will not normally be permitted to continue
their study of the same award with the University of London.

Individual modules
There is also provision for individual modules to be studied on a stand-alone basis.

Qualification titles may be abbreviated as follows:

Master of Science in Public Health- MSc
Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health - PGDip
Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health - PGCert

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Level of the programmes

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
(FHEQ) forms part of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education of the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
The qualifications (including exit qualifications) are placed at the following Levels of the
FHEQ:

• MSc Level 7
• PGDip Level 7
• PGCert Level 7
Individual modules are offered at Level 7.
Relevant QAA subject benchmarks
Not applicable

Awarding body
University of London
Registering bodies
University of London and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
Academic direction
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM)

Accreditation by professional or statutory body

None

Language of study and assessment

English

Mode of study
Flexible and online study

Blended learning
Students may also be permitted to study up to two elective modules by blended learning in
place of distance learning modules. Blended learning enables a student to combine distance
learning with a period of part-time study at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical
Medicine. An additional fee will be payable.

Programme structures
The MSc Public Health* consists of:

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MSc Public Health

• Five compulsory PHM1 modules
• One additional PHM1 module selected from a list of options
And either:

• Four elective PHM2 modules selected from a list of options

• Four additional elective modules selected from a list of options
Or:
• One elective PHM2 module selected from a list of options
• Four additional elective modules selected from a list of options
• A Project Report

MSc Public Health (Environment and Health)*

MSc Public Health (Health Promotion)*
MSc Public Health (Health Services Management)*
• Five compulsory PHM1 modules (including stream-specific module)
• One additional PHM1 module selected from a list of options
And either:
• One compulsory PHM2 module; and
• Three elective PHM2 modules selected from a list of options; and
• Four additional elective modules selected from a list of options
Or:
• One compulsory PHM2 module; and
• Four elective modules selected from a list of options
• A Project Report
* Detailed module options are provided in the Programme Regulations.
The PGDip Public Health consists of:

• Four compulsory PHM1 modules; and

• Two elective PHM2 modules selected from a list of options; and

• Two additional elective modules selected from a list of options.

The PGCert Public Health consists of:

• Four compulsory PHM1 modules; and

• Two additional PHM1 modules selected from a list of options.

Full details of the Scheme of Award are included in the Programme Regulations.

Maximum and minimum periods of registration

The maximum and minimum period of registration, from a student’s effective date of
registration, are:

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Programme Minimum Maximum

MSc Two years Five years
PGDip Two years Five years
PGCert One year Five years
Credit bearing individual modules One year Two years
Study materials are made available at the start of the academic year after registration and on
payment of the applicable fee.

Credit value of modules

Further information about the credit systems used by universities in the UK and Europe is
provided by the Quality Assurance Agency and the European Credit Transfer and
Accumulation System.
Where credits are assigned to modules of a programme, credit indicates the amount of learning
carried out in terms of the notional number of study hours needed, and the specified FHEQ
credit level indicates the depth, complexity and intellectual demand of learning involved. The
details below indicate the UK credits and the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation
System (ECTS) values.
For the Public Health programme, credits are assigned to the modules as follows:

• 10 or 15 UK credits or 5 or 7.5 ECTS credits for each module at FHEQ level 7

• 45 UK credits or 22.5 ECTS credits for the project at FHEQ level 7.

Each qualification equates to the following number of credits:

• MSc Public Health - 180 UK credits or 90 ECTS credits

• PGDip Public Health - 120 UK credits or 60 ECTS credits
• PGCert Public Health - 60 UK credits or 30 ECTS credits
One UK credit equates to a notional ten hours of study.

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Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is a generic term for the process by which we recognise and,
where appropriate, award credit for learning that has taken place at an institution other
than the University of London.
See the General Regulations (Section 3) and Programme Regulations for more rules
relating to prior learning.
For the Public Health programmes the University of London may recognise your prior
learning. This can only be considered at the point of application for the programme.

Further information on recognition of prior learning is on the website.

Entrance requirements
Applicants must submit an application in line with the procedures and deadlines set out on
the website.

All details of the programme specific entry requirements are given on the programme
page, under the Requirements tab.

English language requirements

All applicants must satisfy the English language requirements for the programme. These are
set out in detail on the programme page under the Entry Requirements tab. Where an
applicant does not meet the prescribed English language proficiency requirements but
believes that they can demonstrate the requisite proficiency for admission the University
may, at its discretion, consider the application.

Internet access and computer specification

Students will require regular access to a computer with an internet connection to use the
University of London’s online resources and systems. A webcam may be required in the
event that online timed assessments (if offered) are proctored, and in such a case, it is a
student’s responsibility to ensure that they have a webcam.
The computer should have at least the following minimum specification:
• a web browser with Cookies and JavaScript enabled (a latest version of Firefox or
Chrome is recommended);
• a good internet connection;
• a CD/DVD-ROM drive (some modules only);
• screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater;
• sufficient internet bandwidth to enable downloading of essential learning materials
that are up to approximately 50MB in size.
And the following applications installed:
• Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx);
• Microsoft Excel;
• a pdf reader.

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Additional requirements
• Students may need to use a calculator.
• A headset/microphone may be required to participate in live webinar sessions online.

Students with access requirements

The University of London welcomes applications from disabled students and/or those who
have access requirements. The University will make every effort to provide reasonable
adjustments to enable those with a disability, learning difficulty or access requirements to
have the same opportunity as all other students to successfully complete their studies.
The University is committed to managing the application procedure and the programme itself
to ensure that services are accessible for all students and that an inclusive environment is
created. Students with a disability, or others who may need access arrangements to assist in
taking examinations, should complete the relevant section of the application form, or contact
the Inclusive Practice Manager. A separate room or other arrangements may be considered.
Requests are considered by a University panel, whose purpose is to ensure that students
with disabilities and/or specific access requirements are neither advantaged nor
disadvantaged by such arrangements when compared with other students. These
considerations remain separate from the academic selection processes.

For further information, see Inclusive Practice Policy

Sources of funding and scholarships

Information about potential sources of funding and scholarships is updated annually and
where available is included in the prospectus web pages.

For further information see the website

Educational aims and learning outcomes of the programmes

The main educational aim of the LSHTM distance learning Public Health programmes is to
offer a challenging, flexible scheme of study to provide students with the knowledge and
skills to improve the health of populations, communities and particular groups within them.
Students will acquire knowledge and skills in a range of public health subjects, including: the
promotion of health and the prevention of diseases; the provision and evaluation of
treatment and care; and the investigation and control of environmental threats to health.
Students are encouraged to develop transferable and subject-specific skills to address multi-
faceted and current health problems in their local setting, as well as internationally.
These programmes are primarily aimed at professionals who may already be involved in
public health at a community, hospital or district level, in research, in ministries of health or
other health- or development-related organizations. LSHTM’s Public Health programme is a
rigorous educational programme for practitioners, policy-makers or researchers who wish to
use academic study to deepen their understanding and increase their potential for career
development in public health. Successful completion of the MSc will enable students to
address local health problems and, at the same time, to progress to a higher research
degree in public health or medicine.

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The Public Health programmes aim to:

• develop knowledge and understanding of the core disciplines in public health;

• enable students to understand key issues of public health;

• encourage independent critical and evaluative skills that can be used to apply well-
founded scientific, social and economic judgements;

• provide students with a broad understanding of methodologies in public health

research.
The learning outcomes of the Public Health programmes include:
Knowledge, intellectual and cognitive understanding
Students will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental concepts and

methods of epidemiology, and their application in public health;

• understand the use of basic statistical methods and how to interpret research results,
including use of statistical computer packages;

• recognise and evaluate the main concepts, principles, and practices of public health;

• demonstrate the critical skills needed in order to be able to read, appraise or

commission social research for public health;

• apply knowledge of the core disciplines of public health to real world health problems;

• carry out a project, evaluate critically their own work and produce a well-structured
and well-written report (applies only to MSc students who elect to complete a
project).
Transferable knowledge and skills
Students will be able to:

• use problem solving skills in a range of situations;

• use fluent and effective communication and discussion skills in a written context;

• have a capacity to handle ideas and scrutinise information in critical, evaluative and
analytical ways;

• manage their own learning, including working effectively to deadlines.

Students who pass the PHM1 modules will have the essential introduction to a variety of
methods, approaches and concepts concerning public health. MSc students and those
registered for the PGDip will study the PHM2 modules and have the opportunity to study
specific selected modules offered by some of the other DL programmes. These modules
build on the knowledge gained from studying the PHM1 modules. Students will choose from
options that advance their knowledge in specific areas.

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MSc students
MSc students may also apply the skills they have learnt to a particular problem in an area of
their own interest if they elect to do a project report.

Learning, teaching and assessment strategies

Students are advised to work through the materials, participate in self-learning activities and
engage in discussions that take place within the module forums on the Moodle site.
Students are supported by teaching staff who provide feedback through the use of the PH
Moodle site. Students are encouraged to post academic questions for the attention of tutors
involved in delivering each module.
Advice and practical information, such as study techniques, planning and preparation for
assessment is available in the LSHTM programme-specific Student Handbook (which is
available online to students after registration) and the Academic Writing Handbook. Students
manage their own learning and study schedule, but advice can be sought from the support
team at any stage of the academic year.
Students may also communicate with each other via the module-specific discussion forums
and via the Student Café forum on the Moodle site. Students will be able to engage in
dialogue and develop and negotiate ideas and problem-solving with fellow students and
teaching staff, which are key components in the acquisition of knowledge, understanding
and transferable skills.
The PHM1 modules are each assessed by an unseen written examination that counts for
100% of their grade. The majority of the PHM2 modules are assessed by a written
assignment and unseen written examination. The mark awarded for each PHM2 module will
be weighted 30:70 (assignment : examination). Students should check the PHM2 module
specifications for details of assessment method. Students who elect to study one or more of
the EPM2, GHP2, IDM2, IDM5 modules open to PH students should consult the relevant
module specification documents for details of the assessment methods. Students opting to
take the PHM305 project option, are required to submit a report for assessment.
Assessment criteria for the programme take into account the level at which these skills have
been achieved.

Assessment methods
Each PHM1 module (MSc, PGDip and PGCert) will be assessed by one two-hour and 15
minute unseen written examination.
Each PHM2 module for the MSc and PGDip, will be assessed by one two-hour and 15
minute unseen written examination and/or by one or more written assignments. The grade
awarded for each module will be weighted 70:30 (examination: assignment).
The Project Report (MSc only) will be assessed by submission of one written report of up to
10,000 words. It should normally be submitted in the final year of the degree.
The written examinations take place on one occasion each year, normally commencing in
June. These are held at established centres worldwide.

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Individual modules
A student may choose whether or not to be formally assessed in the credit bearing individual
modules for which they are registered. Students who choose to be formally assessed will be
examined in the same way as students studying for a full award.

Full details of the dates of all examinations are available on the website.

Student support and guidance

The following summarises the support and guidance available to students:

• Student Guide: This provides information which is common to all students and gives
guidance on a range of issues from the start of a student’s relationship with the
University of London through to their graduation.

• Programme Regulations

• The Online Library: This provides a range of full-text, multidisciplinary databases

where journal articles, book reviews and reports can be found.

• University of London library: Registered students may use the resources located
within the Senate House library.

• A University of London email account and web area for personal information
management.
Support and guidance from LSHTM

• The LSHTM online learning site (Moodle). This gives online access to the module
materials (note if the module materials include a textbook, this will be made available
to students in hardcopy or e-format) module discussion forums, information on
assignments, links to essential and recommended readings (where available), past
examination papers and examiner reports, and study skills’ resources.

• LSHTM online library resources.

• Student support staff are available to offer help and advice on administrative matters.
Programme Directors can also be contacted for personal advice e.g. planning
studies, advice on elective module options. Communication may either be via the
online 'Student Support Help' discussion forum on Moodle or by email, and
sometimes by Skype if needed.

• Each module has at least one Module Organiser (MO) and a team of tutors assigned
to it. The tutor team provides academic support to those studying specific modules, in
the following ways:
o assisting in interpreting and understanding the material presented by
answering queries on the online discussion forums
o grading and providing written feedback on the assignments
o offering some real-time 'webinars' in which students are encouraged to
participate.

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• The tutors are specialists in their subject area, and will change according to the
module being followed at the time.

• A project supervisor works with students undertaking the project in the final year of
the MSc.

• An LSHTM programme-specific Student Handbook, available on the LSHTM Moodle

site, provides guidance on all aspects of the programme. It includes background
information about the programme; advice on getting started, studying as a distance
learner and organising study time; a description of the resources and programme
materials available and how to access them; advice on networking and support
issues; and details of procedures for assessment and examinations (including
programme deadlines).
Students are encouraged to exchange ideas with other students on the programme and to
organise mutual support via email or other forms of communication. An online discussion
forum 'Student Cafe' is available within the LSHTM Moodle site which is accessible to
students only, while individual contact details can be made available through the Student
Network Directory (subject to student consent). This contains contact details of other
students on the programme so students can build up their own network if they wish (for
example, to organise study groups).

Quality evaluation and enhancement

The University of London delivers the majority of its flexible and distance learning
programmes through a collaboration between the University of London Worldwide and
member institutions of the University of London. However some of the flexible and distance
learning programmes draw solely on academic input from the University of London, and are
delivered without academic lead by a member institutions. The policies, partnerships (where
applicable) and quality assurance mechanisms applicable for the programmes are defined in
the following key documents: The Quality Framework, the Quality Assurance Schedules,
Guidelines for Examinations, General Regulations and, for each programme, programme
specific regulations.

Awards standards
All University of London qualifications have to align with the Frameworks for Higher
Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies to assure appropriate standards for
each qualification. In addition, every programme that is developed by a member institution of
the University of London (or a consortium with representation by more than one member
institution) will be developed to the same standard as would be applied within the institution
concerned. Proportionate and robust approval procedures, including external scrutiny and
student engagement are in place for all programmes. Learning materials are written and all
assessments are set and marked by academic staff who are required to apply the
University’s academic standards.

Review and evaluation mechanisms

Some of the key mechanisms in place to assure the standards of all University of London
qualifications and the quality of the student experience, include:

• Annual programme reports: produced for all programmes in order to review and
enhance the provision and to plan ahead;

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• Independent external examiners: submit reports every year to confirm that a

programme has been assessed properly and meets the appropriate academic
standards;
• Annual student information statistics: prepared for all systematic reporting within the
University of London;
• Periodic programme reviews: carried out every 4-6 years to review how a programme
has developed over time and to make sure that it remains current and up-to-date.
Improvements are made as necessary to ensure that systems remain effective and rigorous.

Student feedback and engagement

The principal channel for collecting feedback from students is the Student Experience
Survey. Carried out every two years, this collects feedback from the student body on a range
of topics relating to the student lifecycle. The results are analysed externally and then
considered in a number of different ways, including by the programme team, principal
committees and the senior leadership team. Details of any resulting actions taken are
published on the Virtual Learning Environment and the Student Portal.
Additionally, on completion of their programme of study students will be invited to take a
survey that seeks to measure what they have gained from their studies.
There are also opportunities for students to get involved in governance. An undergraduate
and postgraduate student member is appointed by the University to the majority of
committees through an annual appointment round. Some programmes also recruit student
members at the programme level. Students are frequently invited to take part in quality
review processes such as Periodic Programme Reviews, Programme approval, Thematic
Reviews, MOOC review panels and ad hoc focus groups. Opportunities such as these are
advertised through social media and on the website. More information can be found on the
website.
Students can also apply to join the Student Voice Group, which meets four times a year to
consider initiatives for enhancing student experience. Notes from these meetings are
published on the Student Portal.

After graduation
Further study
Successful completion of the programme may serve as preparation for students who wish to
progress to a higher research degree in public health or medicine.

Graduate employment routes

The programmes will be relevant for those wishing to increase their potential for career
development in public health at a community, hospital or district level, in research, in
ministries of health or other health or development related organizations.

The Alumni Community

Upon finishing a course of study, graduates automatically become part of the University of
London alumni community, a diverse global network of more than one million graduates in
over 180 countries, providing lifelong links to the University and to each other.

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Alumni are encouraged to keep in touch after they graduate and to become active members
of the alumni community; in return they receive a number of benefits and services, including
an extensive programme of events and engagement opportunities.
More information is available on the alumni webpage.

Follow the alumni community on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

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