Epidemiology

We offer a thorough grounding in epidemiological research. You will gain a unique insight into the theory and methods developed for the epidemiological study and control of both chronic and infectious disease.

This MSc programme aims to:

• provide graduate students from a range of backgrounds with the quantitative skills required for research in modern epidemiology;
• broaden the knowledge base of existing clinicians and scientists in related disciplines who wish to acquire and “update” their skills in the application of research methods to epidemiology and biostatistics;
• provide students with the knowledge and skills to design and conduct epidemiological studies, and to interpret, analyse and present resulting data.
• promote scientific debate and critical appraisal skills;
• promote the use of an interdisciplinary (mathematical, biological, medical and statistical) approach to the problems of communicable and non-communicable disease control;
• develop expertise in the acquisition of knowledge about biological, economic, and social factors which influence health and exposure to disease;
• offer the opportunity to develop specific interest and expertise in one of the following specialist areas: biostatistics or environmental and chronic disease epidemiology or infectious disease epidemiology.

Term 1

Term 1 aims to provide you with a strong understanding of the core concepts and methods of epidemiology and statistics and skills required to successfully complete Term 2 and 3.

In Term 1 all MSc in Epidemiology students follow a core pathway of teaching that draws directly on the research within the Departments of EBS and IDE at St Mary’s Campus.There is a common core of epidemiology and statistics shared with students taking the Master of Public Health.

Running in parallel to the 10-day ‘Introduction to Statistical Thinking and Data Analysis, ‘Principles and Methods of Epidemiology’ and ‘Infectious Disease Modelling’ modules are two additional 5-day epidemiology modules dedicated to the specific core topic areas of ‘Infectious Disease Epidemiology’ and ‘Chronic Disease Epidemiology'.

Statistics, epidemiology and modelling modules consist of lectures, practicals in which you will be asked to do calculations by hand; critically interpret data; critique research findings, designs or papers; computer practical sessions using STATA, Excel or Berkeley Madonna software; discussion groups; independent learning activities and self-study.  Formative assessments, which give you insight in your progress, are part of several modules.

Term 1 modules include:

• Introduction to Statistical Thinking and Data Analysis

• Principles and Methods of Epidemiology

• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

• Infectious Disease Modelling

• Chronic Disease Epidemiology

Some core modules studied in the first term are shared with the Master of Public Health (MPH) programme.

Term 2

Term 2 modules aim to reflect areas of emerging research as well as providing extended tutoring in core epidemiological and statistical concepts and skills. Term 2 requires you to build upon the knowledge, insight and skills gained in Term 1.

The programme allows students to select modules and to follow a particular degree pathway if they wish. Students who wish to pursue a particular pathway must study the specialised module options within their chosen pathway: 

Statistics modules (all modules are accompanied by practical sessions where students analyse data using R or Winbugs):

• Spatial Epidemiology

• Advanced Topics in Biostatistics

Environmental and chronic disease modules:

• Advanced Topics in Biostatistics

• Social epidemiology

 Infectious disease epidemiology modules:

• Epidemiology and control of Vector-borne and Helminth Infections

• Further Infectious Disease Modelling

• Genetics and Evolution of Infectious Pathogens

There is thus a mixture of compulsory and optional modules. All students will continue their training in statistics by studying the compulsory modules ‘Advanced Regression (with R)’ and ‘Introduction to Bayesian Analysis’.

All students will also study ‘Exposure Assessment’ which focuses on the assessment of environmental exposures and sources of environmental pollution. ‘Molecular epidemiology’ will provide you with a fundamental understanding of the core concepts of molecular epidemiology and the application of molecular epidemiologic findings to public health and translational medicine, which is an emerging field. This module also focuses on biomarkers.

As in Term 1, practicals and independent study complement the lectures, which can all take different forms. Formative assessments are part of several modules.

Term 2 compulsory modules include:

• Advanced regression

• Exposure Assessment

• Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology

• Introduction to Bayesian Analysis

• Investigation of Outbreaks

Optional Term 2 modules include:

• Social Epidemiology

• Genetics and Evolution of Infectious Pathogens

• Spatial Epidemiology

• Epidemiology and Control of Vector-borne and Helminth Infections

• Advanced topics of Biostatistics

Term 3

In Term 3, individual research projects are carried out under supervision. If you wish to follow a particular degree pathway, you must also take the research project within the pathway subject area.

It is possible that the projects may be carried out in collaboration with other universities and research institutions, but this is not common and not always recommended. Projects are expected to take 4 months of full-time study, with one (or more) member(s) of Imperial College academic staff assigned to advise and monitor students.  There may also be external supervisors.

 Suitable candidates will have a good degree in a quantitative health science or in mathematics or statistics from a University of good standing.  English language requirement IELTS overall score 7 or equivalent, with a minimum of 6.5 in any area.

Dean's Master's Scholarships

Home/EU Students

• Full tuition fees and a stipend of £17,000

• 5 places are available

Overseas Students

• Full tuition fees and a stipend of £17,000

• 4 places are available

Stipends will be paid in monthly instalments, subject to satisfactory progression. Awardees on courses which last more than a year will have their £17,000 stipend spread over the full lengh of the degree. 

The Faculty offers a wide range of Master's degree courses, as well as PG Certificates and Diplomas, and all students will belong to the Graduate School, which provides a comprehensive Transferable Skills Programme. 

 For any queries not covered here, please email James Osborne (PGT Administrator, Faculty of Medicine) at james.osborne@imperial.ac.uk.

Please note that there may be other scholarships offered by Schools, Institutes and Departments that make up the Faculty of Medicine. These are separate from the Dean's and Faculty Master's Scholarships described here and entail a different application process. 

Eligibility

General Eligibility

These awards are open to all students who have made an application to the Faculty of Medicine by 30 April 2015 for admission to study for a full time or part time Master's course* at Imperial College London, starting in October 2015 (*or PG Cert for a course where that is the only route to the higher degree).

Please note that these awards can only be given to students who are studying a course run by the Faculty of Medicine. For a full list of these courses, please see our Master's Degree page. 

It is not essential for applicants to have already received an offer of a place on a course, but the initial course application must be made before applying for a scholarship.

Residence Eligibility

Applications are accepted from talented candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide. There are no restrictions on nationality.

Academic Eligibility

• Candidates are expected to be able to provide evidence of outstanding academic ability. This will usually mean being among the highest achievers in their undergraduate cohort and in receipt of, or due to receive, a first class UK Honours degree or equivalent.

• An applicant who does not meet this requirement (e.g. holds a second class undergraduate degree, is a health professional who did not undertake a degree course, or is from a non-traditional background*), will be considered if they are able to demonstrate that they have outstanding academic potential and substantial experience relevant to their chosen subject area. This should be included in the Personal Statement section of the application form. (*Those applicants without a degree will be required, where available, to pass a Special Qualifying Examination to gain entry to the chosen course).

• Candidates with degrees from overseas institutions are strongly urged to determine if their scores/grades are equivalent to the relevant eligibility criteria.

• Candidates who already have a postgraduate qualification should justify their request to have an additional postgraduate course funded by the faculty. This should be included in the Personal Statement section of the application form.

• Candidates who wish to apply for a Master's course which starts as a PG Cert or PG Dip will only be considered if they are committed to completing the course to Master's level.

• Scholarships awarded based on predicted grades will be conditional upon final results.

How to Apply
In order to be considered for the Dean's Master's Scholarships, potential candidates will need to have first applied for a place on a Master's course in the Faculty of Medicine. It is not essential to wait for an offer of a place to be made, but the initial course application must be made before submitting a scholarship application. To apply for a Master's course, please use our online admission system. 

Once the application for the course has been submitted, those who wish to apply for a scholarship should complete our online form (Note: the Scholarship award panel will assess candidates on their scholarship application form NOT their course application, so make sure all key information is included in your scholarship application). The form will need to be completed in a single session, so please have the following information prepared:

• Personal statement (not more than 1000 words).
• Details of qualifications, achievements, awards, relevant experience and publications.
• The title/s of the course/s which you have applied for.

Shortlisting will take place in May 2015. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interviews which are currently scheduled for the week commencing Monday 8 June 2015. All interviews will take place via Skype between 9.00 and 17.00 BST. The scholarship application form includes a question regarding your country of residence in June 2015. We will use this information to identify your time zone and try to tailor your interview time accordingly, although we cannot guarantee that the slot allocated to you will be convenient for your time zone. 

All candidates will be informed of the decision by the end of June 2015.

References

We will use the references that you provide as part of your course application process. Please do not send references to us directly as we will be unable to accept them. It is not essential that we receive your references in time to consider your scholarship application, although their absence may weaken your application. It is therefore recommended that you contact your referees directly to ask that they respond to your course application reference request before Friday 8 May 2015 (one week after scholarship applications close).

Terms and conditions

When applying for Faculty of Medicine Master's Degree Scholarships, candidates must agree to Imperial's terms and conditions regarding scholarships and bursaries. 

Please note, the following conditions override the standard Imperial terms and conditions:

• Both part time and full time students are eligible to apply.

• An offer of a place is not required before applying, but candidates must first apply for a Master's course run by the Faculty of Medicine before applying for a scholarship.

• Candidates who do not apply through the online form will not be considered for the Dean's Master's Scholarships.

• Successful applicants who receive a Dean's Master's Scholarship will not be allowed to accept any other form of scholarship or bursary provided by Imperial College London for study during the 2015/16 academic year.

• Scholarship stipends will be paid in monthly instalments over the length of the course, subject to satisfactory progress. Students on courses which are part time or start as a PG Cert will have their stipend paid in equal monthly instalments over the full length of the course.

• Awardees will be required to participate in a small number of promotional activities during the course of their studies and allow their image to be used by Imperial for publicity purposes. Such activities may include (but are not limited to) attending special events and producing occassional print or web copy.

​Deadline for applications is Midnight 30 April 2015

Applicants will be given a decision by 30 June 2015.

Applications are invited from outstanding candidates from Imperial College London, the UK and worldwide who have the potential to become leaders in their field. 

Course Fees: £9,500 (home and EU) £29,100 (overseas)