Veterinary Epidemiology (MSc)

After graduating from Liverpool Vet School in 2005 I was engaged in practice at a small surgery in Cheshire for 18 months where I was able to taste the front-line and reflect on my career options after an arduous 6 years. Having experienced the adventure of veterinary research both at Liverpool and during an intercalated year at the Royal Veterinary College in London, the temptation to return to this field of study proved overpowering and I was successful in my bid to join the Veterinary Epidemiology MSc course at RVC in October 2008. Other members of the course I discovered came from a wider range of disciplines than veterinary science, as well as a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, and both factors have contributed considerably to the course dynamic. The unique and very special collaboration between the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has also allowed me to experience the diverse applications of epidemiology from numerous different perspectives and in various contexts.

I have found the academic environment inspirational – with regular thought-provoking extracurricular lectures and motivational colleagues bringing their own knowledge and experiences. Exceptional teaching staff and well planned lectures and practical sessions have instilled in me a passion for both the theoretical and the practical applications of the discipline, and I am enthused about the prospect of using the knowledge I have gained in my future career. Although frequently challenging, my time at the LSHTM has been outstanding, and it is an institution –and an experience – I would recommend to anyone.

Before coming to LSHTM I worked as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Universities of London (St. Georges and UCL) and Cambridge having done an MSc and PhD at the University of Liverpool and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zambia. The course at LSHTM has exceeded my expectations. The quality of tuition and level of support is the best I have ever come across. The school also has excellent pastoral support for its students. LSHTM has managed to assemble world class experts in all areas relevant to its curriculum. The course content is a perfect mix of theory and practice, the best way to prepare for a career in epidemiology.

I recommend the course to all prospective students without reservation.

I came to the MSc Epidemiology at the School and Royal Veterinary College as an intercalating student from another UK vet school. For me, the course was an opportunity to pursue an academic subject that I had developed an interest in whilst in the pre-clinical stage of my undergrad and also to broaden my career prospects. The Master’s allowed me to study epidemiology in the detail that the bachelor’s courses don’t have the time for. In addition, the international reputation for teaching and research of the School and RVC was a big draw.

The quality of the lectures and tutorials are really excellent and the course stands up to its reputation. There is a real wealth of knowledge represented by all of the staff, and the number of different speakers, lecturers and tutors means that specific expertise is easily accessible. The breadth of subjects covered during the course also means that, as a student, not only do you get a really good foundation in epidemiological techniques, but you also get to learn a great deal about the context in which epidemiology is important. Such understanding will help me in any veterinary career I pursue in the future, whether it is in practice or academia.

The MSc Veterinary Epidemiology was invaluable as it taught me almost as much about human epidemiology as it did about animals, providing me with greater career opportunities. The course was definitely a significant stepping stone towards attaining my current role as a Senior Epidemiologist for the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Department of Public Health, England. The proudest moments of my career to date have been having a paper published in the Journal of Veterinary Education and presenting a paper at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases in London.