Apply for the course
Applications for 2027-28
Applications for entry in 2026-27 are now closed. Register for an email alert and we will let you know as soon as applications open for entry in 2027-28.
IHTM welcomes candidates from a wide range of academic backgrounds, both medical and non-medical. Around 25 places are available each year.
Your first stop should be the official course page on the University of Oxford Graduate Courses website. It is the authoritative source for entry requirements, deadlines, fees, funding, supporting documents and college choice. Where anything on this page differs from the University course page, the University course page takes precedence.
Questions below are specific to how IHTM applications are assessed and what is asked more often.
For fees, scholarships and how our students fund the course, see Funding and Scholarships.
frequently asked questions
The MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine is open to candidates from a variety of academic backgrounds, both medical and non-medical.
Candidates should visit the course page on the University website for the full selection criteria.
The one-year requirement, preferably gained after completion of an undergraduate degree, does not need to be consecutive and can be obtained in more than one organisation. However, the more experience you have, the more competitive your application will be.
You must register three referees. References should be academic, though professional references are also acceptable.
Your references should support intellectual ability, academic achievement, motivation to work in a resource-limited context, and ability to work in multidisciplinary groups. Choose referees who can speak to those things specifically, rather than only confirming you were a good student or employee.
Yes. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed, and all interviews are held online. Details of the panel and format are on the University course page.
Yes, it has a required structure and a strict word limit, both set out in the Completing your application section of the University course page. Statements that don't follow the structure, or that exceed the word count, may mean your application is treated as incomplete and not assessed. Please read that section carefully before you start writing.
Don't wait until the last minute. Applications received after the deadline has passed will not be considered, and you need time to troubleshoot if something goes wrong e.g. a referee who is away, a transcript that arrives late, a payment that fails.
Aim to submit at least two weeks before your chosen deadline, with all supporting documents in place and the application fee paid.
These are handled by the University rather than by the course team:
- English language requirements and test waivers — IHTM requires proficiency at the University's higher level
- Application fee waivers — available to several groups, including applicants from low-income countries, refugees and displaced persons, and UK applicants from low-income backgrounds
- Help completing the application form
- What happens after you apply
For anything the Application Guide doesn't cover, submit a question to Graduate Admissions directly.