Quick Read
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine ranks #401-450 in QS World University Rankings by Subject (Medicine) 2026.
- US News places Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine at #611 in the 2025-2026 Best Global Universities worldwide.
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine was ranked 2nd in the UK for research impact in REF 2021.
- MSc tuition for Indian students starts near Rs.31.9 lakh (£24,899) for a one-year course.
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is not part of the University of Liverpool; it awards its own degrees.
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are separate institutions.
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Ranking Across Every Major System
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, or LSTM, is located in Liverpool, England. It has been running since 1898, and it was the first institution built for tropical medicine.
There is no single “Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine world ranking.” Different agencies measure different things, and LSTM shows up differently in each because it is a small, postgraduate-only research institute rather than a large multi-faculty university.
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| Ranking System | LSTM Position | What it measures? |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 (Medicine) | #401-450 | Academic and employer reputation, citations per faculty |
| US News Best Global Universities 2025-2026 | #611 | Research reputation and output |
| CWUR 2024-25 | Top 5.3% worldwide (1,091 of 20,966) | Education, employability, faculty, research |
| ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects | Top 100 for Public Health | Research output and citation impact |
| SCImago Institutions Rankings 2025 | 946th globally | Research, innovation, visibility |
| REF 2021 | 2nd in the UK for impact, 12th overall | Quality and reach of UK research |
| Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2025 | 1st in the UK | Postgraduate student satisfaction |
The REF and PTES results deserve the most weight if teaching quality and research relevance matter more to you than a global league table position, since both measure LSTM directly against UK peers on things a taught student actually experiences.
Counselor insight: If you are citing LSTM's ranking in an SOP or scholarship essay, lead with the REF 2021 or ShanghaiRanking figures, not the QS or US News number. Reviewers assessing public health applications recognize those far more readily than an institutional rank in the 600s.
Why the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine World Ranking Looks Lower Than Its Reputation
- Size caps the score: LSTM has around 246 postgraduate students, and QS, US News, and CWUR all reward volume, such as citations, faculty size, and subject range, which a single-subject specialist cannot match against a multi-faculty university.
- Excluded from the overall tables: QS's and THE's main rankings require multi-faculty breadth, so LSTM only qualifies for QS's subject-specific Medicine table.
- Often confused with a different institution: the University of Liverpool, a separate and much larger university, ranked #139 in QS 2027; that number is theirs, not LSTM.
- UK-specific metrics provide a clearer picture: LSTM ranked 2nd in the UK for research impact in REF 2021 and 1st in the UK for postgraduate satisfaction in PTES 2025, both measured directly against UK peers.
- Bottom line: a #611 US News rank and a top 100 global position for public health research are both true at once; neither is the full picture alone.
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Ranking vs London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
LSTM (Liverpool) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM, in London) are two different institutions that are constantly confused, largely because of their overlapping names.
If you searched "London School of Tropical Medicine ranking," you were probably looking for LSHTM, whose full name includes "Hygiene."
| LSTM (Liverpool) | LSTM (Liverpool) | LSHTM (London) | ITM Antwerp (Belgium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1898 | 1899 | 1906 |
| QS Subject Ranking 2026 (Medicine) | #401-450 | #21 | Not ranked |
| US News Best Global Universities | #611 | #118 | #1,386 |
| ShanghaiRanking, Public Health 2025 | Top 100 | 3rd in the world, 1st in the UK | Not ranked |
| Total students | ~246 | ~4,000 | Small, specialist intake |
| Degree awarding | Own powers since 2017 | Part of the University of London | Autonomous, Flemish Community |
LSHTM ranks higher. It is larger and broader in public health. ITM Antwerp sits in the same low-rank, high-reputation bracket as LSTM. This pattern is common among small tropical medicine schools, not unique to LSTM. Pick LSHTM for scale. Pick LSTM for tropical disease specialization. Pick ITM Antwerp for a European base.
Is Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine a Part of the University of Liverpool?
No.
- LSTM used University of Liverpool facilities in its early decades, and its degrees were once conferred through that university.
- In 2017, the Privy Council granted LSTM its own degree-awarding powers.
- Since 2017, LSTM has issued its own degrees; an LSTM degree is not a University of Liverpool degree.
- The two institutions still collaborate on research, including a joint infectious disease centre launched the same year.
- LSTM students do not get automatic access to University of Liverpool facilities such as its library or gym.
- LSTM is legally and academically an independent higher education institution, not a faculty or school of the University of Liverpool.
Courses, Tuition Fees and Entry Requirements for Indian Students
1. Tuition Fees
It is postgraduate-only, with no undergraduate degrees, and its course list centers on Master of Public Health streams, MSc Tropical Disease Biology, MSc Tropical and Infectious Diseases, MSc One Health in Tropical Disease, MSc Humanitarian Studies, and professional diplomas in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Tropical Nursing, and Travel Health.
| Program | Fee (GBP) | Fee (INR, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| MSc Tropical Disease Biology / Tropical and Infectious Diseases / One Health | £26,099 | Rs.33.4 lakh |
| Master of Public Health (all streams) / MSc Humanitarian Studies | £24,899 | Rs.31.9 lakh |
| Professional Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene | £6,495 | Rs.8.3 lakh |
| Professional Diploma in Pharmaceutical Systems (online) | £4,222 | Rs.5.4 lakh |
| Professional Diploma in Travel Health (online) | £3,191 | Rs.4.1 lakh |
| Professional Diploma in Tropical Nursing (Sept 2026) | £2,155 | Rs.2.8 lakh |
| PhD (full-time, per year) | £5,900 | Rs.7.6 lakh |
Source: LSTM Fees and Funding (International)
2. Scholarships
| Scholarship | Who is it for? | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Annie Elizabeth Evans Memorial Scholarship | Indian nationals applying to MSc Infectious Diseases and Global Health | One award of £6,000 (about Rs.7.7 lakh) toward tuition |
| LSTM Future Leaders Scholarship (International) | LMIC nationals (India qualifies), full-time on-campus master's programs | Full tuition fee waiver, multiple awards |
| LSTM Global Health Impact Scholarship | Self-funding LMIC nationals, any full-time on-campus master's | Reduces tuition to £13,150 |
Note for the students: Applications for the September 2026 cycle closed on 15 April 2026. Both LSTM awards above typically reopen for the next intake, so check LSTM's site for the new window rather than assuming you have missed it.
3. Cost of Living in Liverpool
Liverpool is one of the more affordable UK cities to study in.
| Expense | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Monthly Cost (INR, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Single person, excluding rent | £819 | Rs.1.05 lakh |
| Shared student accommodation | £400-£700 | Rs.51,224-Rs.89,642 |
| One-bedroom flat outside city centre | £622 | Rs.79,653 |
| Public transport pass | £71 | Rs.9,092 |
| Realistic total budget (rent + living) | £1,150-£1,450 | Rs.1.47 lakh-Rs.1.86 lakh |
Source: Numbeo, Cost of Living in Liverpool
4. Entry Requirements and Documents Checklist
| Requirement | Detail | India-Specific Note |
|---|---|---|
| Academic background | Bachelor's in medicine, nursing, life sciences or veterinary science | Indian medical, nursing and life sciences degrees are accepted |
| English proficiency | IELTS 6.5 overall, 5.5 minimum per component | Book UKVI-approved test centres in India early |
| Work experience | 1-2 years for several MPH streams | Strong global health knowledge can substitute for experience |
| Transcripts | Consolidated marksheets and degree certificate | A provisional certificate accepted if final marksheet is delayed |
| Personal statement | Academic goals and course fit | Also required for most scholarship applications |
| References | Two academic or professional references | Arrange referees early |
| Passport | Valid Indian passport | Needed before CAS and visa stages |
| Proof of funds | Tuition and living cost coverage | Required for UK student visa, separate from LSTM's application |
Counselor insight: Several MPH streams ask for one to two years of relevant work experience. If you don't have it, you are not automatically disqualified. Admissions will look at your personal statement instead, checking how well you understand global health issues, so use that space to address the gap directly rather than hoping it goes unnoticed.
Post-Study Work Rights: Graduate Route for Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Graduates
- The UK's Graduate Route currently grants international bachelor's and master's graduates 2 years of post-study work with no sponsorship needed; PhD graduates get 3 years.
- From 1 January 2027, any Graduate Route application submitted on or after that date gets only 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates. PhD graduates are unaffected.
- The cutoff applies to your application date, not your course start or graduation date.
- LSTM's master's programs run on a single annual September intake and last one year.
- A student starting the MSc in September 2026 finishes around September 2027 and would typically apply for the Graduate Route shortly after, past the 1 January 2027 cutoff.
- Most Indian students starting an LSTM taught master's in September 2026 should plan for the 18-month entitlement, not the older 2-year one.
- PhD candidates are unaffected regardless of application timing and keep the 3-year entitlement.
Planning Calendar for the Upcoming Intake
LSTM runs one September intake a year, with applications opening around October and continuing on a rolling basis. Here is how to map it against the Indian academic year:
| Period | What to do? |
|---|---|
| July-September | Shortlist your LSTM course, confirm IELTS 6.5 requirement, start collecting transcripts and references |
| October-December | LSTM applications open for the following September intake; apply early for competitive MPH streams |
| January-March | Prepare scholarship applications (Annie Elizabeth Evans, LSTM Future Leaders); track Commonwealth and Chevening windows |
| April | Typical LSTM scholarship deadline based on this cycle's pattern |
| May-June | Indian board and university results season: submit final marksheet and book IELTS retake if needed |
| June-July | Receive CAS, begin UK student visa application |
| September | Course start |
Counselor insight: Shared accommodation near Pembroke Place gets booked out by June for September starters. Once your CAS arrives, start contacting landlords or student housing providers immediately rather than waiting for your visa to clear first.
3 Key Takeaways on Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Ranking
- Evaluate LSTM based on its REF and subject-specific results, rather than its overall QS or US News position. Those broad tables penalize its small size, not its research quality.
- Do not confuse LSTM with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. They are separate institutions with different scales and different ranking profiles.
- If you are starting a taught master's in September 2026, budget your post-study plan around the 18-month Graduate Route, since your application will likely fall after the January 2027 cutoff.
Verified by: LeapScholar's UK counseling team, with hands-on experience guiding Indian students through UK postgraduate applications in medicine and public health.
Have questions about applying to Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine or comparing it against other UK schools? Book a free session with a LeapScholar counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine Ranking
-
What is the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine ranking in the UK?
There isn't one, technically. Most UK league tables, such as the Guardian or the Complete University Guide, are built around undergraduate teaching, and LSTM doesn't run undergraduate courses at all, so it never shows up in them. Where LSTM does get measured directly against other UK institutions, it holds up well: 2nd in the UK for research impact in REF 2021, and 1st in the UK for postgraduate student satisfaction in the 2025 PTES.
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What is Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's QS ranking?
#401-450 in QS's subject-specific Medicine table for 2026. That is the only QS ranking LSTM holds. You will not find it in QS's overall World University Rankings, not even the 2027 edition, because that table is built for large, multi-faculty universities, and LSTM simply is not one.
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Is Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine part of the University of Liverpool?
No, and this confusion trips up many applicants. LSTM has held its own degree-awarding powers since 2017, so the degree you would graduate with is an LSTM degree, not a University of Liverpool one. The two do collaborate on research and share a city, but legally and academically they are separate institutions.
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What is the difference between Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine?
The two are entirely separate institutions that share a similar name. LSTM, in Liverpool, is a small specialist school with around 246 students and a QS Medicine rank of #401-450. LSHTM, in London, is a much larger public health university with roughly 4,000 students and a #21 QS Medicine rank.
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Is Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine a good university for public health?
Yes, if tropical disease and humanitarian health are specifically what you are after. England's higher education regulator names LSTM one of only 21 World Leading Specialist Providers, and it sits in the global top 100 for public health on the Shanghai Ranking. For broader public health research output, though, LSHTM ranks higher, so the right answer depends on which corner of public health you want to specialise in.
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What was Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine's REF 2021 ranking?
2nd in the UK for research impact, and 12th overall, in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. That is the UK government's own assessment of research quality across every university in the country, so a small specialist school landing at 12th overall nationally is a genuinely strong result.
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Does Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine offer scholarships for Indian students?
Yes, and there is one built specifically for Indian applicants: the Annie Elizabeth Evans Memorial Scholarship, worth £6,000 toward tuition for the MSc Infectious Diseases and Global Health. Beyond that, India's LMIC status opens up the LSTM Future Leaders Scholarship and the Global Health Impact Scholarship, and it is worth layering in external funding like Chevening or Commonwealth on top.
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What IELTS score do I need for Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine?
6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each individual component, for most taught courses. If IELTS is not your preferred test, LSTM accepts a handful of other approved English qualifications instead.
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Which are the best universities for medicine globally, and how does LSTM compare?
Harvard, Oxford, and Stanford top QS's 2026 Medicine table, and all three are large, multi-faculty institutions built to dominate that kind of scale-driven ranking. LSTM is not competing on that basis. Its case is narrower and, for the right student, more compelling: a specialist leader in tropical medicine, specifically, top 100 in the world for public health research and 2nd in the UK for research impact.
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