Diploma in the History of Medicine
The next DHMSA examinations will take place on the dates below:
TBC - Application and payment deadline
Deadline for abstracts for Dissertation & Test Lecture - Friday, 12 March 2027 -
Deadline for Dissertation submission - Friday, 18 June 2027 -
Open Book Essay - Monday, 5 - Monday, 12 July 2027 -
Test Lecture via Zoom (Candidates) and Examiners (in person) - Friday, 23 and/or Monday 26 July
Entry Fee: TBC
Resit Fees: Open Book Essay £TBC / Dissertation £TBC / Test Lecture £TBC
Established 1970
The Diploma in the History of Medicine (DHMSA) was instituted by the Society of Apothecaries in 1970. The Diploma is intended to indicate familiarity with medical and healthcare practice from ancient to modern times and understanding of relevant methods of enquiry. It demonstrates the ability to identify, access, evaluate and share historic material; skills which are assessed through completing a dissertation and presenting a lecture to a specific audience.
Examination documentation
Guide to the Diploma in the History of Medicine (Incorporating the Regulations)
DHMSA Administrative Guidance for Candidates (including the examination timetable, fees and deadlines)
Policy for Special Examination Arrangements
Standard Setting Procedures for Diploma Examinations
List of successful dissertation titles 2022-2012
Application for entry to the 2027 DHMSA examination will be open in due course
To make an application please go to 'Shop' above and select the Centre for Health Studies, go to the exams section, choose DHMSA, select the entry option you require, you will be asked to create an account to complete your payment. You will then be directed to our online learning platform Brightspace to complete your application form.
Click here to book your exam.
Reasonable Adjustments - If you are eligible to apply for reasonable adjustments to your exam sitting, for example, due to a long term condition such as dyslexia or, illness which may affect your exam performance, please contact academicadmin@apothecaries.org to request a Form Q.
Reasonable adjustments will reflect a report written by an educational assessor or appropriate medical professional (which you are responsible for obtaining).
Academic Policies for Candidates
Kapur (Dissertation) and Osler (Test Lecture) Prizes
Kapur Prize:
The Kapur Dissertation Prize is awarded to the student who submitted the best dissertation for the History of Medicine Diploma examination. The prize is named in memory of Raj Kapur, a liveryman and member of the Faculty of History and Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy. This is a new prize this year (2026) coming from a bequest from the widow of former FacHP member.
Osler Prize:
Sir William Osler (1849 – 1919) was a Canadian physician and a founding professor of Johns Hopkins Hospital. He created the first residency program for specialty training and changed the format of medical education to include bedside teaching; the clinical years. He also worked in Oxford and was known as a formidable diagnostician, medical educator, author, humanist and medical historian. The Osler Lecture was inaugurated in 1967 to be given by the student who is deemed to have delivered the best Test Lecture in the History of Medicine Diploma examination."
Pass Lists
