MPH or MSc choosing between London School of Hygiene and University of Edinburgh?

[D_Ts]

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine does not have MPH it only offers different streams of MSc , I have applied there and to MPH in University of Edinburgh but am not sure which one to choose! I am an international student my passion is towards Medicine for which I am planning to apply for MD PhD some time in future. I have a lot of Medical field experience already, numerous courses, practice and volunteering work.

Soon I will have to choose the programme, being accepted to both Schools - as an international student I must consider rating of the University and also I would like my degree be as close to field work as possible and rather non-academicial. As I am trying to understand that means I should take MPH? However LSHTM does not offer MPH but only MSc.... Shall I in this case make my choice towards University of Edinburgh instead? Thank you in advance I really need some help to make this decision!

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[She-Hulk]

Are you applying, or did you already get into these schools?

 

[D_Ts]

Are you applying, or did you already get into these schools?

I have applied to both (as well as University of Aberdeen) and pretty confident. When it comes to choosing I will be choosing between the previously mentioned 2 and it is very difficult for me because I sense that having MPH I will have more in the field experience as I am not planning to proceed with Academia, I am planning to finally obtain my MD someday.. However I come to realisation that LSHTM is now the best when it comes to Public Health?

 

[FlameBroiledDoc]

The "best" for public health is not as big a deal as, say, an MBA from a top tier school can have towards your job prospects. Much of the material is going to be the same from one school to the next (epidemiology; determinants of health; health promotion and disease prevention; statistics and research methods; some sort of organizational management; etc.)

If you're thinking of going the MD PhD route, it's almost self defeating to chase an MPH. That's a professional degree (normally) without a thesis component, whereas the MSc will include a thesis that has you on the road for a PhD. Unless your research interests aren't related to public health, in which case why do a degree in the field at all?

 

[D_Ts]

The "best" for public health is not as big a deal as, say, an MBA from a top tier school can have towards your job prospects. Much of the material is going to be the same from one school to the next (epidemiology; determinants of health; health promotion and disease prevention; statistics and research methods; some sort of organizational management; etc.)

If you're thinking of going the MD PhD route, it's almost self defeating to chase an MPH. That's a professional degree (normally) without a thesis component, whereas the MSc will include a thesis that has you on the road for a PhD. Unless your research interests aren't related to public health, in which case why do a degree in the field at all?

That's fair enough..Still lives me a bit puzzled though. I am not pursuing MBA unlike most of the awardees of my scholarship, because I need to officially requalify from a medical journalist to a health specialist so I would be able to work in the field until I find a way to obtain an MD, and Public Health is the closest degree I could chose. Besides I have an experience. See, for us foreigners it is impossible to get a scholarship to a medical school, it simply does not exist. I cannot otherwise afford it, so I guess MD PhD is my only solution. Before chasing it I would like to be able to gain the experience of work in the field. (I am a medical researcher for about 6 years already, but since I do not hold an official degree it is unpaid participation and I need a degree to make it my actual work). I did not know that MS thesis would be that much of a benefit en route to PhD. Especially if I am going to apply to MD PhD program and keep my research strictly medical.. Of course it would be an additional bonus but I am already somehow published.. Regarding the schools solely. Is there one you would particuraly pick as the educational instutution or it really does not matter? Thanks for the insight.

 

[FlameBroiledDoc]

That's fair enough..Still lives me a bit puzzled though. I am not pursuing MBA unlike most of the awardees of my scholarship, because I need to officially requalify from a medical journalist to a health specialist so I would be able to work in the field until I find a way to obtain an MD, and Public Health is the closest degree I could chose. Besides I have an experience. See, for us foreigners it is impossible to get a scholarship to a medical school, it simply does not exist. I cannot otherwise afford it, so I guess MD PhD is my only solution. Before chasing it I would like to be able to gain the experience of work in the field. (I am a medical researcher for about 6 years already, but since I do not hold an official degree it is unpaid participation and I need a degree to make it my actual work). I did not know that MS thesis would be that much of a benefit en route to PhD. Especially if I am going to apply to MD PhD program and keep my research strictly medical.. Of course it would be an additional bonus but I am already somehow published.. Regarding the schools solely. Is there one you would particuraly pick as the educational instutution or it really does not matter? Thanks for the insight.

I have no particular opinion on London vs Edinburgh. University of London probably a world renowned reputation, but I honestly doubt it's that big a difference once the degree is conferred.

In general, MD-PhD is pursued by people with a research track record, interested in being researchers first. It doesn't need to be clinical research, and in fact normally isn't (clinician researchers tend to follow the route of post-residency fellowships).

Your situation is fairly unusual, so I can't recommend enough that you talk to a graduate guidance counselor.