Clinical Trials (by Distance Learning)

Entry requirements

All applicants are required to have:

• either a first or second class honours degree, or the equivalent, from a university or other institution acceptable to the University of London, in a subject appropriate to the course; or
• an appropriate professional or technical qualification, together with at least three years’ relevant experience, which satisfies the University as a qualification equivalent to a second class honours degree. All applications in this category will be considered on an individual basis.

Qualifications from around the world are accepted; for further guidance please see the School's qualifications for entrance. Students who do not satisfy the entrance requirements may still be admitted at the discretion of the School on the basis of their academic qualifications, work experience and references.

English language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme - you can find full English language requirements on the LSHTM website.

Please see full entry requirements on the LSHTM website.

Months of entry

October

Course content

From managing heart failure to supporting people with HIV, clinical trials make a difference to communities across the globe. Discover our research in this area and learn to carry out trials effectively.

Study Clinical Trials and develop the skills to save lives and shape the future of health. We were one of first universities in the UK to create a distance learning programme focused on clinical trials. With extensive expertise in this area and academics in every corner of the globe, we’ll share best practices for carrying out research that tests drugs, comparing alternative treatments, and using cutting-edge methods.

Your award will depend on the number of modules you complete. We offer this distance learning programme as a Certificate, Diploma and MSc.

Did you know: LSHTM has been ranked 2nd in the world and 1st in the UK for public health (ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2024) and 2nd in the world for public, environmental & occupational health (US News Best Global Universities Ranking by Subject 2025-26).

What you will learn

• Explore the issues involved in the design, conduct, analysis and interpretation of randomised controlled trials of health interventions
• Understand what happens before a trial – review the literature to see what’s been done before and whether it’s reliable
• Practise reporting your findings in a way that is transparent, accurate and helps others apply your results to the real world
• Become confident handling statistics for clinical trials
• Pick optional modules to expand your interests in this area or choose topics from other areas of specialism in the School
• Develop the skills you need to excel in your clinical trials career and make a difference to people’s lives globally.

Find out more about the Clinical Trials by Distance Learning programme on the LSHTM website.

The final closing date for all applications to study Clinical Trials by distance learning (MSc, PG Dip, PG Cert and individual modules) is 23 September 2025.

Fees and funding

For up to date information on funding available for postgraduate programmes at LSHTM, please visit our website.