Click here to see our History of Medicine 2024-25 Course Brochure

•  A wide-ranging course of lectures, collections-based sessions, and practical guidance to support the study of medical history, especially for those new to the subject
• Small group teaching from historians, clinicians, curators and subject specialists, combined with visits to archives, libraries and museums in London
• Unrivalled access to the Society of Apothecaries’ livery hall and its collections
• An introduction to historical research which can be developed by taking the DHMSA exam (which involves writing a short dissertation and giving a brief oral presentation)
• Applications welcomed from a broad spectrum of people at any career stage and from any background

Our aim for the course is that participants are equipped to fulfil their personal objectives and interests in medical history, whether that is following a specific curiosity into a particular specialty, time period or theme, enabling them to feel confident to carry out their own research for personal or professional satisfaction, or to immerse themselves in a new discipline with a group of like-minded people.

Dr Anna Simmons works on production, trade, and science in the pharmaceutical marketplace, with a particular focus on London. Her research and numerous publications explore various aspects of the history of British chemistry, pharmacy and medicine from c. 1650 onwards, with a particular focus on the laboratories and pharmaceutical trade at the Society of Apothecaries and the development of chemical careers and professional organisations. She has published extensively on the history of Society of Apothecaries and is an expert on its archival collections. She has been Course Director since July 2020 and works with the Society’s Friends of the Archive to help promote use of its rich historical resources.

Course Insights: an interview with the Academic Training Officer - click here to read more about the course.

• Medical traditions, examined by historical period and geographic origins and influence
• The development of professions, education and specialties
• The interplay of developing scientific and medical practices
• The patient’s perspective
• Demographic and social changes, epidemics, public and global health
• Apothecaries, medicines and pharmacy
• Medicine and empire
• A brief insight into the history of medical ethics
• Research skills for medical and healthcare history, including:
  • historical approaches
  • finding and understanding sources
  • an introduction to collections, museums, archives and online resources

After taking the History of Medicine Course  you should have gained:

• An understanding of medical and healthcare practice from ancient to modern times and how this contributed to the evolution of the Western Medical Tradition, with brief insights into non-Western Medical traditions.
• An insight into important concepts in medical and healthcare history.
• An understanding of the historian’s approach to medical and healthcare history, research methodology and historiography.
• Experience of expert lectures from around 50 different historians, curators and clinicians from a variety of fields and methodologies.
• An awareness of why people, events and developments in medicine have been accorded historical significance.
• The ability to undertake independent reading and research on medical history topics.
• Social and intellectual interaction through discussion, visits to London medical museums and networking with individuals with shared interests.
• The ability to identify, access and evaluate historic material. (There is an opportunity to take the DHMSA exam and utilise the skills gained during the course through writing a short dissertation and giving a brief presentation.)
• Post nominals, DHMSA

Course Information

The 2024-25 Course runs across 14 Saturdays from 5 October 2024 until 7 June 2025.  

When meeting in-person the lectures are usually given at Apothecaries’ Hall, London, a City of London Livery Company Hall which dates from the seventeenth century. One course day is scheduled to take place at Guys Hospital, visiting the Gordon Museum and Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret. There is also the opportunity to visit the London Metropolitan Archives and the Wellcome Library outside of the course days. Seven of the course days take place remotely via Zoom and can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Applications for 2024/25 have now closed, however you can still select the 'drop in' option (see below). 

Applications for 2025/26 will open on Friday 31 January. The course will run from 27 September 2025 until 6 June 2026. Book your place before 31 August to take advantage of our early-bird prices (5% increase from September)

Chick here to book your drop-in place for 2024/25 now 

Payment is exclusively completed online, and instructions will be provided to ensure a smooth transaction. Once payment is made, you will be guided through steps to create an account on our e-learning platform and to complete an application form to outline your experience and tell us your interests within the field.

Course fees for 2025-26

Full price: £1155

Student Price: £700
Student rates apply to those registered on a full or part time undergraduate, postgraduate or other course of study as of 27 September 2025. You will be asked to provide proof of enrolment in your application form.

Course drop-in fee: £105
Alternatively, why not 'drop-in' to attend a selected day from the programme you are interested in attending for the standalone fee of £100? (maximum 3 days per year). Email us for more details. Terms and conditions apply.

Course Programme
DHMSA Programme 2024-2025 (Subject to changes)