While clinical medicine deals with the health of the individual, public health is concerned with the health of the population.

While clinical medicine deals with the health of the individual, public health is concerned with the health of the population. The UK Faculty of Public Health defines public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society.” The recent COVID-19 pandemic acutely underscored the key functions public health professionals play in considering, designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions at the population level. If you are interested in thinking about complex problems touching all aspects of society, or are considering a career in public health, medicine, or public policy, this course can provide a valuable starting point in your journey.
While clinical medicine deals with the health of the individual, public health is concerned with the health of the population. The UK Faculty of Public Health defines public health as “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through the organised efforts of society.” The recent COVID-19 pandemic acutely underscored the key functions public health professionals play in considering, designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions at the population level. If you are interested in thinking about complex problems touching all aspects of society, or are considering a career in public health, medicine, or public policy, this course can provide a valuable starting point in your journey.
First, students will be introduced to the five core “pillars” of public health practice: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, health policy and management, and social and behavioural sciences. While many public health professionals specialise in one of these areas, a well-rounded understanding across these pillars is seen as essential to public health practice. Lectures and seminars will cover key concepts and real-world examples with seminars focusing on the critical evaluation of real studies within each core area. The second part of the course will focus on applying these skills to case studies covering key public health issues from around the world.
By the end of the course, students should have a basic framework through which to approach, and consider, key issues in public health – issues that are often complex and require balancing of competing priorities, difficult trade-offs, and externalities. We aim for students to leave this course with an understanding of how to approach this complexity, the basic tools at their disposal, and an understanding of how the consideration of real-world examples can help to inform their future practice. We will also ensure students are informed about what they can do in the future to continue to grow and advance their knowledge in the space.

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Lady Margaret Hall (or ‘LMH’ as it is known to Oxford students) will be your home away from home. Set amongst 13 acres of beautiful gardens and located about 15 minutes’ walk from the lively city centre, LMH students benefit from access to a world-class library as well as gorgeous grounds for a game of croquet with friends, a tennis match on our courts, or even a dreamy punt along the River Cherwell.
When you enrol in our courses at LMH, you will stay on-site in our College accommodation, which is usually occupied by undergraduate students at LMH during term time. All student rooms are located within just a few minutes’ walking distance to everywhere in the college.
You can choose to stay in an en-suite room with private bathroom or a standard room with a shared bathroom, both of which are single occupancy. You will be asked to choose your preferred type of rooms in the application form, but the final allocation will be subject to our real-time room availability. Each room in LMH is comfortably furnished and designed to provide a quiet, personal space for rest and study. This includes a personal desk, ensuring a space for private study throughout your stay. Bedding and towels are provided, with regular servicing from our Housekeeping team, known as ‘Scouts’. Laundry and drying machines are also available on site.
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To participate fully in the programme all students will need to have proficiency in English. Students who are not native English speakers must demonstrate their English proficiency with one of the following: - TOEFL iBT score of 98 - - IELTS score of 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in each component) - Duolingo English Test score of 125 (no less than 115 in each section) - Cambridge English Scale score of 185 If you are taught primarily in English at your home university, we may be able to waive the requirement for an English language proficiency certificate. If this applies to you, please contact us for further information. If you have proof of English language proficiency which is not listed above, but which you would like us to consider, please contact vacation.programmes@lmh.ox.ac.uk.
The Residential Advisors, our team of Oxford University graduate students, are your go-to guides for making new friends, discovering the city, and immersing yourself in the vibrant Oxford student experience.
Lady Margaret Hall offers a coach service between London Heathrow Airport and Lady Margaret Hall on the arrival and departure days included in the Programme Fee.
No, students are required to arrange their own comprehensive travel insurance.
Students on the LMH Oxford Summer Programmes are awarded a Programme certificate and an Academic Transcript detailing their assessed work.
LMH Oxford Summer Programmes are designed to be eligible for academic credit, and many students have successfully earned academic credit by studying on an LMH Summer Programme. As a guide, we recommend the award of 15 CATS / 7.5 ECTS / 4 US Credits for each 3-week course. Lady Margaret Hall will provide a transcript of your assessed work, and can send this directly to your home institution if requested.
You can check the British Government’s guide to find out whether you will need a visa (please select your nationality, “study”, and “less than 6 months”). Upon securing your place you will be issued a Study Visitor Letter which provides information in support of your entry to the UK as a visitor and which you can include with your visitor visa application if required.