Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Preventable and treatable diseases such as TB, HIV and malaria are still common across many tropical regions. They contribute to low levels of health and wellbeing, limit outcomes and stifle economic growth in some of the world’s poorest populations.

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Course type
Professional diploma
Director of Studies
Dr Sylviane Defres, Rocio Villacorta Linaza
Location
On campus
Start date
7 September 2026
Mode of study
Full-time, on campus
Duration
13 weeks
Home fee
£6,495
International fee
£6,495

Overview

Our Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene will develop your professional knowledge and skills, broaden your outlook and build your confidence. It will prepare you to support the diagnosis and treatment of neglected diseases and work with communities to better prevent them.

Who is this course for?

  • Doctors with at least two years’ post-qualification clinical experience.

  • People from a range of medical backgrounds, including acute medicine and paediatrics, surgery and obstetrics, critical care, microbiology, general practice and mental health.

  • Students from all over the world who want to join us in our mission to control, eliminate and eradicate disease.

“This course embraces contextual influences across different regions. It looks at the complex cultural, social, political, economic and technical issues associated with improving health and wellbeing and how we can make a difference.”

Dr Sylviane Defres Co-director of Studies

Why study Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at LSTM?

  • Benefit from a 120-year legacy on this prestigious and internationally-renowned programme.

  • Get your diploma in just three months with intensive on-campus training.

  • Learn from active researchers who have lived and worked in the tropics.

  • Access a unique collection of rare specimens with hands-on laboratory experience.

“If would like to begin practicing in the tropics, or if you’re already practicing in a developing country and want to enhance your skills, this course will give you the toolkit you need to change lives.”

Rocio Villacorta Linaza Co-director of Studies

What will I learn?

This non-modular programme of training incorporates three core themes:

  • Clinical tropical medicine, including maternal, newborn and child health.
  • Tropical disease biology, including parasitology, microbiology and vector biology.
  • Public health and disease control in low and middle income countries.

Content is divided into blocks of learning, with a focus on evidence-based practice and patient management.

The course is delivered through lectures, practical classes, clinical case discussions with international colleagues, student-led seminars and small group sessions.

You’ll get the opportunity for hands-on practical work at our Dagnall Laboratory, where you will be supervised by world-class academic and technical staff.

You’ll gain an understanding of:

  • Clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of major communicable, non-communicable and neglected diseases.
  • Specific health and health system challenges affecting vulnerable groups.
  • The importance of social, cultural and economic factors on health services and disease control programmes.
  • Key biological characteristics of major insect vectors of disease and their relevance in the epidemiology and control of communicable diseases. 

Doctors with a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene are highly sought after by leading international organisations. Many of our graduates work directly with MSF and other NGOs after their course, supporting emergency situations across the globe.

You might continue to practice in standard medical settings, work with affected low- and middle-income communities, or in developed countries with cases of imported disease.

Entry requirements

Academic

A recognised medical degree. Advanced Nurse Practitioners with relevant experience may be eligible.

Professional

At least two years post-qualification clinical experience.

English language

IELTS 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components), or equivalent.

Full English language requirements.

Fees and funding

Home

£6,495

International

£6,495

Financial support

We have scholarships, bursaries, discounts and loans available for UK and international students, established through generous donations from alumni, staff and friends and funding from within Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Postgraduate loans

Loans for eligible UK students studying a taught or research Master’s course are available from the Student Loans Company. These loans will be a contribution towards the costs associated with completing a Postgraduate Masters course

External funding

Scholarships, fellowships and grants are available from a range of funders and organisations. Any scholarship, studentship, fellowship or grant can be used as an alternative to, or part-funding of, an LSTM scholarship.

How to apply

Apply for this course online via MyLSTM.

Register for a MyLSTM account to:

  • Apply for courses at LSTM.
  • Upload supporting documentation.
  • Save your draft application.
  • Accept an offer to study.
  • Keep your account information up-to-date.

If you can’t access our online application form, please get in touch. Paper application forms are available on request.

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