The WHO Collaborating Centre offers a series of intensive short-term study programmes designed to provide international students with academic training, practical exposure to global public health and clinical medicine, and opportunities for intercultural exchange. These programmes are delivered by leading experts in the fields of health, global public health, clinical medicine, and research, and take place on-site at one of the world’s top-ranked universities.
Our short programmes are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from around the world. Participants will gain valuable experience in areas such as health systems, medical innovation, research methodology, and the ethical dimensions of healthcare and public health, with a growing emphasis on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) across disciplines.
These programmes are delivered on-site in London by leading experts in health and medicine and are designed to introduce students to key concepts, current challenges, and emerging developments in their chosen field.
Summer Programmes (2026): Public Health and Clinical Medicine Programmes
Duration: 2 weeks each; Clinical Medicine Stream 2 will be run twice this summer in July and August.
Format: Morning or afternoon sessions (15 hours per week per track)
Cohort Size: Up to 200 students across both programmes, with the DCN group
Dates: July Group [only Clinical Medicine]: July 20–31 2026
August Group: August 10–21 2026
Application Deadline: End of April 2026
Both tracks incorporate content on artificial intelligence in health systems, including its application in diagnostics, epidemiology, data-driven decision-making, and patient care. These programmes offer foundational and advanced perspectives suitable for students interested in global health, medical practice, and healthcare policy.
1. Public Health Programme Stream 1
An introductory programme exploring key concepts in global public health, research, health systems, public health practice, prevention, ethics, and selected emerging topics such as artificial intelligence in health.
This stream explores topics such as public health foundations, policies, health systems, communicable and non-communicable diseases, health equity, public health data, research, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in public health decision-making.
2. Clinical Medicine Programme Stream 2
A programme introducing students to clinical medicine in the UK context, with a focus on healthcare systems, clinical innovation, research, multidisciplinary care, ethics, and developments in modern medical practice.
This stream introduces students to topics such as primary care in the NHS, preventive medicine, patient-centred clinical assessment, mental health, chronic disease management, digital health, surgery, lifestyle medicine, and the relationship between clinical care, public health, and health systems.
These are separate programmes, although applicants may choose to attend one or both, subject to availability.
Our short programmes are primarily aimed at undergraduate [or postgraduate if interested] students, and our main audience has traditionally included students from China through our international partnerships. However, we welcome interest from students and applicants from around the world.
Applicants from different academic and professional backgrounds may also be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the programme and the applicant’s interests and experience.
Please note that the Programmes are introductory in nature.
Applicants who already hold advanced training in public health, such as those studying at Master’s level, may find some elements relatively basic. Please feel free to explore our fellowship programmes.
Our short programmes are primarily aimed at undergraduate students, although postgraduate students are also welcome to apply if interested. Our main audience has traditionally included students from China through our international partnerships, but we welcome interest from students and applicants from around the world.
Applicants from a range of academic and professional backgrounds may also be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the programme, the applicant’s interests, and their relevant experience.
Please note that these programmes are introductory in nature. Applicants who already have advanced training in public health or related disciplines, including those studying at Master’s level, may find some elements of the programme relatively basic. Such applicants are warmly encouraged to also explore our fellowship programmes, which may be more suitable for those seeking a more advanced academic or professional experience.
Yes. Applicants from different academic or professional backgrounds may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the programme and the relevance of their interests and experience.
Domestic fees: £1000 per person per stream. International fees through DCN: £3,750 per person per stream and includes added benefits. One stream for 2 weeks through WHOCC fees [application link below] is without accommodation, travel, and extra activities. The WHOCC domestic fee only covers tuition, academic materials, programme support, a certificate, and a transcript.
The DCN £3,750 fee includes tuition, activity, DCN support services, provided by the accompanying teacher during the program, accommodation, academic materials, programme support, certificate, and a transcript.
What is not included in the fee?
Accommodation, travel, visa costs, and other personal expenses are not included in the domestic fee.
The DCN £3,750 fee includes tuition, activity, DCN support services, provided by the accompanying teacher during the program, accommodation, academic materials, programme support, certificate, and a transcript.
At present, there is no guaranteed scholarship or funded place attached to these programmes unless otherwise stated. Applicants should therefore plan on the basis of self-funding.
If any bursaries, funding opportunities, or partner-supported places become available, these will be announced separately.
Classes will be delivered between two campuses, you can try to find accommodation close to any of these locations:
- White City Campus, 90 Wood Lane, London, UK. W12 0BZ: White City Campus
- South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Certification
All participants who successfully complete their selected programme will receive a Certificate of Participation issued by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training at Imperial College London.
International Recruitment and Collaboration
In China, our official recruitment partner is Guangdong DCN International Education Investment Group Co., Ltd. (DCN). DCN is authorised to promote and recruit students across China for all WHOCC short-term programmes. Visit their website: https://dcn-edu.com/
Applications and Enquiries
These programmes are open to international students worldwide. For more information on application procedures, course content, eligibility requirements, and fees, please contact our team directly.
Click Here for the Application Form: WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training Short Programmes – Fill in form
Contact Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Some feedback from the students:
– “The course is very informative and well-organized. I have learned a lot from it and really enjoyed the content”
– “I’m very satisfied with the course. The content is rich and practical, the arrangement is reasonable, and I have gained a lot from it.”
-“It’s good to let us finish our homework in class and we had fun after classes.”
-“I extremely love Celine’s teaching style and I want to be her student forever.”
– “It’s perfect and easy understanding for clinical students, either the slides or the graph that the teacher explained.”
– “The instructor is very responsible and helpful. She explained the content clearly and are always willing to answer questions. I have learned a lot from this course and really appreciate her guidance.”
Winter Programme (2027)
Dates: TBC, with the DCN group from China
Tracks Offered:
Clinical Medicine
Public Health
Students engage in 15 hours of academic content per week (3 hours in the morning and/or 3 hours in the afternoon per day), delivered in small group formats to ensure high-quality, interactive learning. Each group will begin with approximately 20 students. The booklet describing the programme is available here:
