Diploma In The Philosophy Of Medicine
The next DPMSA examinations will take place on the dates below:
Friday 4 April 2025 - Application closing date
Friday 11 April 2025 - submission date for abstract for dissertation and short essay
Saturday 17 May 2025 - Oral Assessment Presentation
Monday 23 June 2025 - deadline for dissertation submission
Entry Fee: £975
Resit Fees: Oral Assessment £325 / Short Essay £325 / Dissertation £325
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 Philosophy of Medicine for Regulations for Admission to the Examination.
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).
DPMSA Application Forms
Request for special examination arrangements: Form-Q
Applications for entry to the 2025 DPMSA examination is now open.
Please select Shop >Centre for Health Studies Shop above, click into the exams area, choose the DPMSA payment option. On checkout, you will be asked to create an account and finish payment. You will then be directed to our online platform Brightspace to complete your application.
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.
Academic Policies for Candidates
Examination-Review-and-Appeal-Procedure The Society's Review and Appeal Procedure gives information about feedback, review and appeal. Candidates who seek a review or appeal should note that there is a fee payable, the amount of which is given the the relevant Guide to the Diploma, including the Regulations and Syllabus.
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.
