| The course runs from 8 to 19 September 2025. |
Being able to understand and analyse data is a fundamental part of medical research. This intensive two-week course will give you a comprehensive set of advanced skills to accurately design and interpret epidemiological data. Crucially, you will come away with the confidence to apply techniques to studies of all kinds of diseases and health challenges. °®ÍþÄÌapps in their field will guide you through classical methods of statistical analysis of epidemiological studies. This includes logistic, Poisson and Cox proportional hazards regression, with practical training using Stata software.
Who should attend?
This course is useful for anyone looking to increase or refresh skills in statistics and analysis of epidemiological data.
You should have a working knowledge of basic epidemiology and statistics, including familiarity with concepts such as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, odds and risk ratios, confounding and effect modification, and statistical programming. This course requires knowledge equivalent to the contents of introductory textbooks such as:
- "Epidemiology in Medicine" by C H Hennekens and J E Buring (Little Brown & Company, 1987)
- "Essential Medical Statistics" by B Kirkwood & J Sterne (2nd Edition, Blackwell Science Ltd, 2003)
Please note that the course is taught using Stata, so students should have experience of using Stata for statistical analysis. Candidates with a background using other statistical software packages, who are self-sufficient in programming, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The course focuses on developing an understanding of the underlying assumptions and principles, on the practical application of the techniques, and on the correct interpretation of the results, rather than on the mathematics behind the methods. The methods will be illustrated through studies of the epidemiology of both infectious and non-infectious diseases carried out in a range of different countries and settings.
You should also have a good command of English.
Teaching methods
This short course is hybrid, which means you can study online or in person; in person attendance is encouraged if possible. You should expect to spend approximately 5-6 hours a day on the course. In addition to recorded lectures and private study, there will be live lectures for 1-2 hours each day and a 2-hour computer practical with tutor support. Live aspects of the course will usually be 11 am-3 pm BST.
Additional information
The first week will focus on logistic regression, and the second on analysing longitudinal data. The course makes use of the Stata package throughout. The topics to be covered will include:
- Measures of disease frequency and exposure effects
- Confounding and interaction
- Classical methods of analysis for cohort studies
- Classical methods of analysis for case-control studies
- Likelihood
- Unconditional logistic regression
- Poisson regression for cohort studies
- Cox proportional hazards regression
- Conditional logistic regression for case-control studies
- Clustering of data in epidemiological studies
- Strategies of analysis
Comprehensive course notes will be given to participants at the beginning of the course.
There is no formal assessment, but at the conclusion of the course, a Certificate of Attendance will be provided on request. Approximately 45 participants will be accepted.
"Excellent course, well-structured and paced, teachers were clearly enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. A great balance of theory and practical. Would highly recommend."
"Overall the audience for this course was known to a tee. It’s like you guys are psychic and know more or less exactly our knowledge base and what we need to know in addition. Strong focus on practical skills excellent."
"The course was well structured and I really enjoyed the good balance between lecture and practical’s. The material provided was fabulous. "
"The teaching has been really excellent along with the course notes and materials which are extremely clear."
"Best course I have been on by a country mile. Such an impressive, stellar, collection of lecturers!"
"Good, broad coverage of epidemiological analysis topics and issues. Good quality of speakers."
"Enthusiastic teachers who were able to explain difficult concepts very clearly. Every lecturer really understood the whole course and where the class were up to; the faculty didn't assume too much understanding yet avoided unnecessary duplication."
"The tutors have been excellent, very good at answering questions and ensuring everyone could keep up. Something I really struggle with is speaking up when I'm confused/have a question but the tutors created a friendly environment in which I felt comfortable doing so. I think the practical’s were very helpful, especially working in randomised breakout rooms."
"I found the course to be VERY helpful and enjoyable. All of the faculty I met were patient, willing to help, and clearly experts of their domain. For a first time remote, I feel it was quite an exceptional execution."
"Overall I think this was an excellent course and the online format worked well. I found having the lectures recorded was much better as with some of the trickier concepts I could rewind and watch again, and could also watch at a time of day that I was better able to concentrate/free from distractions. The opportunity to ask questions before and after the practical’s was also good, in order to consolidate each of the topics. The way in which each concept was taught and then built on was really helpful and made it easier to understand the more complex methods and then practicing them in the practical’s made sure we had actually understood. All the tutors were very knowledgeable, friendly and answered questions clearly and thoroughly. Overall a really great course."
The fee for 2025 is £2,480 and includes a Certificate of Attendance.
A small number of discounted places (50% - £1,240) will be made available to participants based in LMICs (). Early application is advised. When applying for a discounted fee, please include proof of your base in an LMIC country.
Applying for this course
Applications for 2025 are now open and can be made via our .
The application deadline will be 23:59 (UK time) on Monday, 18 August 2025. We strongly advise that you apply early as courses may close earlier than the stated deadline if they become full.
Please state your previous statistical analysis experience, including the statistical packages you are familiar with, in your personal statement on your application form.
Please read LSHTM's Admissions policies prior to submitting your application.
Visas
The student is responsible for obtaining any visa or other permissions to attend the course, and is encouraged to start the application process as early as possible as obtaining a visa for the UK can sometimes take a long time. The Short Courses team can provide supporting documentation if requested.
Accommodation
A list of hotels located in the vicinity of LSHTM, along with further resources for short-term accommodation, can be found on our accommodation pages.
Important information
Please note:
- Students will be required to bring their own laptops. The Stata package will be available for the duration of the course.
- If you have been offered a place on the course you will not be able to register without bringing a formal ID (Passport) and without having obtained the correct visa if required.
- It is essential that you read the current visa requirements for short course students.
- LSHTM may cancel courses two weeks before the first day of the course if numbers prove insufficient. In those circumstances, course fees will be refunded.
- LSHTM cannot accept responsibility for accommodation, travel and other losses incurred as a result of the course being cancelled.