Diploma of Specialist
Practice

A professional qualification for early-career biomedical
scientists working in research or reference laboratories

Advance your career and upgrade your IBMS Membership

Overview

The IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice allows you to:
✔ Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills in your chosen discipline
✔ Showcase expertise through a written dissertation of original work or research in biomedical science
✔ Enhance your career prospects and upgrade your IBMS membership

This qualification provides recognition of your advanced skills and commitment to professional development.

Assessment

To complete the IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice, you must submit a dissertation that:

✔ Is 8,000 words (± 10%)
✔ Is presented as a written essay or report
✔ Describes an aspect of professional practice in biomedical science
✔ Meets the learning outcomes outlined in the IBMS Specialist Portfolio

📌 Important conditions

  • Previously submitted work for IBMS prizes or other examinations cannot be used.
  • A summary dissertation based on previous postgraduate research (MPhil/PhD) may be considered.
  • If you have a master’s degree in a biomedical science subject with a lab-based project, you must provide evidence of further work covering a new feature or a wider field of investigation.
Applying

Requirements

To apply for the IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice, you must:

✔ Be a Licentiate of the IBMS
Maintain IBMS membership throughout the qualification
✔ Have specialist knowledge and skills in a field of biomedical science OR
✔ Be involved in research, development, or teaching

How to apply

Submit the following to [email protected]:

✔ A completed dissertation proposal form
✔ A 500-word summary of your proposed area of study

Application review

  • Your application will be reviewed, and you will receive confirmation of acceptance or required modifications.
  • Once approved, you must find a dissertation supervisor—this can be a colleague with expertise in your dissertation subject.
  • Your dissertation must be submitted within two years of your title and summary approval.

Need more help?

If you have any questions about the Diploma of Specialist Practice please contact us.