MSc Humanitarian Practice (LEAP Programme)

Course Overview

The MSc in Humanitarian Practice has been created to meet the professional and personal development needs of those working in the humanitarian sector, producing graduates who will meet the increasing demand for humanitarian leadership. The blended nature of this course promotes lifelong learning. 

It is delivered as part of the Leadership Education Academic Partnership (LEAP) programme, and crosses traditional subject boundaries to enable you to reflect critically on issues arising from your own work, the wider humanitarian agenda and develop the skills set needed for contemporary humanitarian practitioners. Focusing on a wide range of humanitarian issues, the programme offers a thorough investigation of the agents of change in the humanitarian field.

It brings together the disciplines of public and global health, political science, international relations, history, epidemiology, disaster risk management and peacebuilding, as well as the expertise of academics and leading practitioners. 

As an LSTM and HCRI student, you will benefit from a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to teaching and research, as well as individual tutoring and supervision from academics from a wide range of disciplines. 

Unique Partnership

The programme is delivered jointly by LSTM and HCRI, in partnership with international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans FrontieÌ€res (MSF). This partnership brings together multidisciplinary academic expertise and operational humanitarian experience, and opens access to a broad range of courses across the two academic institutions. 

The programme has been designed to reflect the scoping and strategic needs as identified by MSF, but also relevant for other humanitarian organizations. Through the partnership, we ensure that the programme will enhance the knowledge and skills of staff who work in a humanitarian organisation setting. 

Flexible blended programme

This is a flexible programme that is designed to allow study to fit around the work commitments of those already working in the humanitarian sector. It offers three entry routes leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma or a Master of Science (MSc).

The programme comprises core modules delivered jointly by academics at LSTM and the University of Manchester, and a wide range of optional modules are available at both institutions. 

The blended learning approach combines online and campus-based learning. This flexible approach gives you the best of both worlds: opportunities to work where and when it suits you, as well as access to the face-to-face teaching, world-class facilities and networking available at LSTM and the University of Manchester. 

Through a combination of blended modules, short courses, traditional semester long units, and online provision students will be able to access the programmes at times that are convenient to their working lives, and to study modules both remotely online and in person at LSTM and the University of Manchester for short periods of time. 

You can apply for all our courses online via MyLSTM.

To register for a MyLSTM account, or to log into your existing MyLSTM account, go to: mylstm.com/apply (link is external)(opens in a new tab)

By registering for a MyLSTM account, you will be able to:

• Apply for courses at LSTM
• Upload supporting documentation
• Save your draft application.
• Accept an offer to study at LSTM
• Keep your account information up to date

If you can’t access the system, please email us on [email protected] (link sends e-mail) so we can help.

For users on low bandwidth or continued trouble accessing MyLSTM, paper application forms are available upon request.

Transferring to LSTM from another Institution

If you want to transfer to LSTM from another institution, our normal admissions criteria and processes will apply.  Please check the individual programme requirements and contact details listed under the programmes(opens in a new tab) here.  General enquiries can be directed to [email protected] (link sends e-mail)

If you are currently on a programme at another institution you should check with them about any internal procedures before applying to LSTM.  If you have a funding agreement, including any Student Loan, you should seek advice from your funder before applying.  

Please note that Tier 4 visas are specific to the institution at which you were originally registered. Overseas students on Tier 4 visas should seek advice from their institution’s International Support Team and refer to the information on the UK Government website (link is external)(opens in a new tab).

Transfers to taught programmes are usually only permitted if we have sufficient places available and are completed within the first semester of studies. If you are applying to transfer part-way through an academic year, you may be offered a place for the subsequent academic year.

Transfer of Postgraduate Research Students can normally only be facilitated via LSTM’s Visiting Research Student Process(opens in a new tab). PGR candidates or supervisors seeking advice on PGR student transfers should contact the Early Career Researcher Support team via [email protected] (link sends e-mail)

If you want to transfer from LSTM to another institution, it is your responsibility to make yourself aware of any rules in respect of your funding. In the first instance, you should contact [email protected] (link sends e-mail) to discuss your plans. Please note that Tier 4 visas are specific to the institution at which you were originally registered. Overseas students on Tier 4 visas should seek advice from [email protected] (link sends e-mail)  and refer to the information on the UK Government website (link is external)(opens in a new tab).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is a process which allows students to apply for exemption from particular entry requirements, or from some parts of a programme, by recognition of their learning from previous experiences and achievements.  For further information, including how to apply for RPL, please check the individual programme requirements and contact details listed under the programmes here.  You can also contact the admissions team here: [email protected] (link sends e-mail) or by phone on +44 (0)151 702 9590.