Take the next step in your career and upgrade your membership
Overview
The IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) is a professional vocational qualification for Members or Fellows of the IBMS who are HCPC-registered biomedical scientists.
It is for those who:
✔ Have advanced skills and theoretical knowledge in a specialist discipline
✔ Perform an in-depth, highly complex role in biomedical science
✔ Are continuously developing clinical, scientific, or technical practice
✔ Have management responsibilities or are involved in research and development
📌 The previous recommendation of five years post-registration experience before undertaking the HSD has been removed.
The IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) allows you to:
- Demonstrate high levels of knowledge, skill, and competence in your chosen discipline
- Enhance your career prospects and prepare for senior positions
- Upgrade your IBMS membership from a Member to a Fellow, supporting your professional development.
Qualification structure
The HSD is assessed through:
✔ A portfolio of experiential learning
✔ A written examination
You must pass the portfolio before progressing to the written exam.
The diploma is available in the following disciplines:
- Cellular pathology
- Clinical chemistry
- Cytopathology
- Haematology
- Immunology
- Leadership & management
- Medical microbiology
- Transfusion science
- Virology
Assessment
Portfolio submission
Your portfolio must include:
✔ Personal professional profile – 500 words (±10%)
✔ Two essays – 3,000 words each (±10%) based on published titles
✔ Clinical case study & managerial report – 1,500 words each (±10%)
✔ Evidence of an oral presentation, including:
- Presentation slides and notes
- Feedback from two senior colleagues (one must be your line manager)
- A reflection on the presentation’s success
✔ Reflective learning statement – 2,000 words (±10%)
📌 Full portfolio requirements can be found in the HSD Study Guide.
Written examination
The HSD exam consists of four papers:
1️⃣ Discipline-specific short-answer questions
- Answer four mandatory questions in 60 minutes
2️⃣ Generic paper (common to all candidates)
- Answer three questions in 120 minutes
- One mandatory pre-seen question (available on the IBMS website three weeks before the exam)
3️⃣ Discipline-specific essay paper
- Answer two out of five questions in 120 minutes
4️⃣ Discipline-specific case study paper
- Answer questions on three case studies (one pre-seen, two unseen) in 120 minutes
- The pre-seen case study questions will be published three weeks before the exam
📌 Candidates must sit the exam at their place of work and arrange invigilators.
Key dates (2025)
📅 Portfolio application deadline – 28 February
📅 Re-sit application deadline – 25 April
📅 Portfolio submission deadline – 2 May (submissions open from 1 March)
📅 Exam dates – 1 & 2 September (held at your workplace)
📅 Pre-seen exam questions published – 25 July
Candidate preparation days
Preparation events provide guidance on:
✔ Portfolio requirements
✔ Examination structure
✔ Workshops with IBMS examiners
✔ Insights from successful HSD candidates
📌 Generic and discipline-specific preparation events are held annually. Contact [email protected] to register your interest.
Did you know?
The IBMS Company Members Prize is awarded annually to the candidates who achieve the highest marks in each specialist subject of the Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) examination.
The IBMS R J Lavington Prize is awarded annually to the candidate who achieves the highest overall mark in the Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) examination across all specialisms.
These prestigious IBMS awards recognise excellence and outstanding performance in IBMS qualifications.
Prizes
- IBMS Company Members Prize – £250 cheque and certificate
- IBMS R J Lavington Prize – £500 cheque, medal, and certificate
To be eligible, candidates must be sitting the examinations for the first time.
All prizes are presented at the IBMS Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Applying
How to apply
To apply for the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma, submit the following to [email protected]:
✔ Completed application form
✔ Payment of £411
Fees and payment options
Fees can be paid via:
- Credit or debit card – Call +44 (0)207 731 0214
- Purchase order – Issued by your hospital trust
Once your application is accepted, you will receive confirmation of your candidacy and a reminder of the portfolio submission deadline.
Please note: If you withdraw from the qualification at any point, a £50 administrative fee will be applied to any refund.
Training Grant Availability (Updated 6 January 2025)
A £1,000 training grant per candidate remains available for employers in England supporting candidates undertaking the HSD
Further details on eligibility and the claiming process can be found in Training Grant for Employers 2025.
Portfolio submission
- Essays must be chosen from the approved titles for your discipline.
- If registered to submit in 2025, you may select titles from 2024 or 2025.
- If you deferred from 2024, one essay may come from 2023, but the second must be from 2024 or 2025.
Deferrals, withdrawals, and mitigating circumstances
📌 To defer, withdraw, or report mitigating circumstances, contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Need more help?
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the Higher and Expert qualifications please contact us.