Diploma of Specialist Practice
Advance your career and upgrade your IBMS membership with an IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice
The IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice enables early-career biomedical scientists working in research or reference laboratories to demonstrate specialist knowledge and skill within their chosen discipline.
The Diploma of Specialist Practice is a specialist professional qualification assessed by a written thesis of original work or research in the field of biomedical science.
On achieving an IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice you will be eligible to upgrade to a Member of the IBMS.
Who can apply
To apply for an IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice you must:
- be a Licentiate of the IBMS
- maintain your IBMS membership throughout the period in which you undertake the qualification
- have specialist knowledge and skills in a field of biomedical science, or
- be involved in research and development or teaching
About the qualification
Your dissertation must be:
- 8000 words (± 10%)
- presented as a written essay or report describing an aspect of professional practice in the field of biomedical science
You must provide evidence that your dissertation has met the learning outcomes outlined in the IBMS Specialist Portfolio.
You may not submit any material entered previously for examination by any other body or for any of the IBMS prizes. However, a summary dissertation of work undertaken previously by the candidate that has led to the award of a postgraduate research degree, (ie MPhil or PhD) may be considered acceptable.
If you have already achieved a Masters degree in a biomedical science subject and where the emphasis of the project/thesis is based on laboratory practice, you must provide evidence of further work covering a new feature or a wider field of investigation.
Fees
It costs £125 to undertake an IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice.
Please submit to the IBMS Examinations Team:
- your payment of £125, along with
- a copy of your completed dissertation
Once you have submitted a copy of your dissertation and payment your dissertation will be assessed.
You can also submit a copy of your dissertation and payment by post to Examinations, IBMS, 12 Coldbath Square, London, EC1R 5HL.
How to apply
You will need to submit to the IBMS Examinations Team a:
- completed dissertation proposal form
- 300-word summary of your proposed area of study
Your application will be reviewed and we will write to you to confirm whether your dissertation proposal has been accepted or requires modification.
If your proposal is approved you will be asked to seek out a dissertation supervisor who you can consult for advice and guidance. This can be a colleague who works in the subject area of your dissertation.
You must submit your dissertation within two years of your dissertation title and summary being approved.
Resources
You can find articles and online resources to support you in completing an IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice in our Resources section.
For further information about the IBMS Diploma of Specialist Practice please contact examinations@ibms.org