Infectious Diseases (Distance Learning) (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)

I am a clinical R&D physician and vaccinologist currently working as a Program Officer and a Global Health Fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Having worked for a research institute, a regulatory agency, and the pharmaceutical industry I was exposed to several therapeutic areas and I came to realize that I wanted to focus my career on infectious diseases. I started the MSc while I was based in Singapore but placed my studies on hold when I moved to Italy to do a full-time Executive Master’s degree in Vaccinology and Pharmaceutical Clinical Development. I resumed the MSc a few years after. The fact that one can take a break from the studies as needed, enter the class at any time and find the lectures readily available is a flexible and efficient way of studying. The modules are challenging and provided a great mix of academic and practical knowledge.

I chose the School’s distance learning program because of its reputation and flexibility. I work full-time as a Medical Science Liaison at a pharmaceutical company and this program answered my needs to study in my free time while I work. Degrees are increasingly valued in the clinical/medical areas in the pharma and this program is allowing me to reach my future goal of having the necessary requirements to pursue a PhD locally in my country. I am interested in microbiology and therefore I chose the MSc Infectious Diseases. During my study I have been very impressed with the level of expertise and up-to-date knowledge I am being offered by the School. I am enjoying the learning so much I even took a non mandatory course on Ebola offered by the School just because I knew I was going to learn top level information on the issues surrounding this virus.

For so long, I was looking for a chance to do postgraduate degree and when the opportunity came calling, I was overjoyed. To get an opportunity to study in one of the best schools in the world was humbling. London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine has an outstanding reputation of specialization in tropical diseases and I knew it will serve to boost my skills considering my work is in research of infectious diseases. Numerous studies have all confirmed that Sub-Saharan Africa bears the greatest burden of infectious diseases, and building capacity as offered by such opportunities will serve to strengthen the research conducted here

During the selection of my course several factors weighed in. Top on the list was definitely what I wanted to do in terms of advancing my professional career. I found infectious diseases most appropriate. I had spent my time in research of infectious diseases since I finished my undergraduate studies and therefore this course would serve to increase my depth of understanding on the transmission, control and biology of infectious diseases.

My experience as a distance learner has been both challenging and enriching at the same time. For me to be able to synthesise the study concepts largely on my own has given me confidence on my ability. This is not to underestimate the great support we have received from the tutors. To get personalized feedback on my formative assignment was definitely something I had not received for most part of my studies.