Diploma In The Philosophy Of Medicine
The next DPMSA examinations will take place on the dates below:
TBC - Application closing date
TBC - Submission date for abstract for Dissertation and Short Essay
TBC - Oral Assessment Presentation
TBC - deadline for dissertation submission
Entry Fee: £TBC
Resit Fees: Oral Assessment £TBC / Short Essay £TBC / Dissertation £TBC
Established 1978
The examination is designed as a postgraduate qualification primarily for members of the healthcare professions although it is open to a number of other graduates and certain undergraduates. The Diploma was revised extensively in 1993.
The Diploma is intended to indicate familiarity with contemporary philosophy of medicine and in particular with the philosophical aspects of problems within the theory and practice of medicine and healthcare; and with selected aspects of the history of philosophy related to those problems.
Candidates for the examination should have completed the course in the Philosophy of Medicine, an equivalent course or have appropriate experience. For further information, please see Guide to the Diploma in the Philosophy of Medicine
Examination documentation
Guide to the Diploma in the Philosophy of Medicine (incorporating the Regulations and Syllabus)
DPMSA Administrative Guidance for Candidates (including the examination timetable, fees and the various deadlines).
Applications for entry to the 2027 DPMSA 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 DPMSA, 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.
Further information regarding exam sittings and closing dates can be found in the Administrative Guidance for Candidates document.
Application Deadline -
Dissertation abstract & Short Essay deadline -
Dissertation Submission deadline -
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
The Sydney Selwyn Lecture
The Sydney Selwyn lecture which formally was a prize is in memory of Professor Sydney Selwyn (1934-1996), a medical microbiologist and bacteriologist, bone marrow transplant pioneer, and world-class expert in the history and development of medicine. The lecture is presented by the best candidate in the Diploma in the Philosophy of Medicine examination.
