Master of Science in Tropical Medicine

Osman Archaga is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Tropical Medicine (graduating in 2025). Find out what his experience has been like:

Maria Pinedo completed the MSc in Tropical Medicine, orientation biomedical sciences, in 2023. Find out what her experience was like:

For the purpose of working in the humanitarian field and to gain more experience in public health and tropical diseases, I decided to enrol in the MSc in Tropical Medicine (MTM). The Postgraduate Certificate in Tropical Medicine and International Health (TMIH) forms the core module of the master’s degree and contains a diversity of lessons on global health care, epidemiology, and the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases. For the second semester, I got the opportunity to create an individual study plan to deepen my knowledge of certain topics that interested me, such as tuberculosis and HIV. Additional courses helped me to learn more about the fundamentals of scientific research, how to perform clinical studies and how to evaluate and improve health interventions.

ITM offers well designed courses with experienced teachers who do not only teach theoretical knowledge, but also practical and hands-on knowledge that is useful for actual work in the field. The international study environment allows you to interact and exchange experience with students from all over the world. The course and teaching variety helped me to improve skills such as structuring and presenting knowledge, but also using limited resources to find solutions for a variety of problems. Overall, it was an intense and very enriching year and I can definitely recommend giving it a try.

As a laboratory trained biomedical scientist, I lacked the public health aspect in my previous training. With the background given during the Master in Tropical Medicine , I now confidently write papers in public health topics as well as translate my laboratory work into policies.  MTM has also given me the work experience I needed to apply for a PhD in neglected tropical diseases. Moreover, the MID course trained me extensively in recognising diagnostic short comings, which I am currently addressing in my post-doc. The program also gave me the confidence to go to the field, mainly due to courses such as field lab preparedness and the practical parasitology/diagnostic lectures. And last but not least,  my MTM experience has given me a network of researchers, I know I can reach out to in case I have questions. 

It is difficult to find a course addressing the needs of a budding clinician-scientist in infectious diseases. This is where the MSc in Tropical Medicine comes in to bridge that gap. With well-seasoned faculty, including infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, and laboratory experts for teaching, mentoring and coaching in a conducive environment like the Institute of Tropical Medicine, makes the experience worthwhile. The additional aspect of field work brings a different dimension to this master's, which is lacking in other courses. In the MTM, I had the experience of undertaking my research work with Janssen Pharmaceutica, which was my field research, and gained valuable knowledge. Students also have the opportunity to learn through peer support and experience sharing. The master's has helped me set up my clinical research activities in my home facility at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital in Ghana. I can truly recommend this course!

The MSc in Tropical Medicine really broadened my perspective beyond clinical practice by equipping me with rigorous research skills, global health insights, and methodological approaches that have since shaped my work in reproductive health research. The program refined my capacity to design and implement high-quality studies, strengthened my scientific communication skills, and exposed me to a network of international collaborators. These experiences have been pivotal in advancing my career trajectory, from leading locally impactful projects to contributing to international discourse on maternal and women’s health.

The structured training in study design, data analysis, and interpretation has been invaluable in shaping the way I approach both clinical and public health research questions. In addition, ITM’s emphasis on evidence-based medicine and the ethical conduct of research continues to guide my decision-making in ongoing projects. Beyond technical knowledge, the collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment at ITM also strengthened my ability to work effectively across diverse teams, which has been particularly useful in multi-institutional studies and implementation projects. The ability to navigate different viewpoints, foster teamwork, and still keep the focus on the common goal has been critical to managing difficult situations in both research and clinical practice.

Tropical regions face numerous health challenges, often with limited resources for addressing them. The MSc in Tropical Medicine is designed to prepare healthcare experts with the necessary knowledge and skills to tackle these challenges effectively. The programme offered me a very engaging and purposeful experience. It combined theoretical and practical courses that simulate real-life tropical settings. Starting with a solid foundation in international public health, the programme provided specialised courses tailored to meet the professional needs of each student under the guidance of experienced lecturers. These courses comprehensively addressed a wide range of communicable, non-communicable, and other public health concerns in tropical settings.

Personally, the unique training I gained at ITM paved the way for me to earn a PhD position in medical research at a renowned institution in Australia. It set me on track to significantly impact public health in my home country – Cameroon. The MTM programme is characterised by its holistic approach to course delivery. Highly trained and experienced lecturers deliver engaging lectures in a relaxed learning environment, which is further enriched by insightful field trips. Students are encouraged to express their ideas, enabling personal growth and development. The programme's strength is further amplified by the diverse student body, who come from different parts of the world. This diversity fosters interactions that enhance the learning process, offering students invaluable training opportunities and exposing them to global perspectives.

I confidently recommend the MSc in Tropical Medicine to those who aspire to make global impact in the field of health. This programme offers a distinctive and immersive educational journey that equips students with the necessary tools and experiences to contribute to international health.

Pursuing the Master in Tropical Medicine at the Institute of Tropical Medicine has been pivotal in shaping my professional journey, particularly in the field of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

This master did not only broaden and deepen my scientific knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, One Health, epidemiology, and the complex challenges posed by AMR, it also equipped me with practical skills in research, project management and international collaboration. This academic experience directly influenced my decision to focus my career on AMR, ultimately leading to my current role as an AMR Project Coordinator at the World Health Organization. The network, mentorship, and hands-on learning at ITM have been instrumental in guiding my career trajectory and empowering me to contribute meaningfully to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Several key skills and areas of knowledge I gained at ITM have become essential in my day-to-daywork. Most notably, the comprehensive understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and surveillance strategies has been invaluable, enabling me to design an dimplement effective AMR monitoring programs. The training I received in epidemiological methods and data analysis has allowed me to interpret complex datasets and translate findingsinto actionable public health interventions. ITM’s emphasis on critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making has shaped how I approach problem-solving and project management in my current role. Additionally, the strong foundation in interdisciplinary collaboration and communication that I developed at ITM helps me work effectively with diverse teams, stakeholders, and international partners. Overall, the blend of scientific expertise, analytical skills, and collaborative approaches acquired at ITM continue to inform and drive my contributions in the fight against AMR.