Application Window: 2 June -14 July 2025
Date of examination Multiple Choice Paper: Wednesday 3 September 2025
Date of examination Short Answer Questions Paper: Tuesday 21 October 2025
Date of examination Critical Appraisal Paper: Wednesday 22 October 2025
Exam News 2024
The Exam Application Period is now closed!
Achieving the DPM is a defining moment in the career of any pharmaceutical physician. It affirms their knowledge and expertise in our specialty, and their commitment to enhancing the health of society.
The DPM is considered a landmark achievement for any physician undertaking a career in pharmaceutical medicine.
The qualification is comprised of two parts. Once a candidate has passed DPM Part 1 they are eligible to sit DPM Part 2. Candidates who pass DPM Part 2 are awarded the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine.
Not sure whether you should sit the CPM or DPM? Find out about the differences between these qualifications
The UK General Medical Council (GMC) has approved the DPM as an acceptable postgraduate qualification. This means that the DPM is accepted as evidence that the holder has the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to apply for full registration with a licence to practise in the UK.
See the full list here
| Examination | Date | Time (UK time) | Duration | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) paper | Wednesday 3 September 2025 | 14:30 | 2.5 hours | Online |
| Part 2 | Short Answer Questions (SAQ) | Tuesday 21 October 2025 | 13:30 | 2.75 hours | Online |
| Part 2 | Critical Appraisal papers (CAP) | Wednesday 22 October 2025 | 13:30 | 2.5 hours | Online |
“It’s given me a bigger picture of what pharmaceutical medicine is all about”
Dr Shilpa Govindraj, Dr Ugochukwu Stephanie Igwe, Dr Imran Lodhi and Dr Babatunde Oyesile talk about the benefits of taking the Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine.
DPM Part 1 is a Multiple Choice Question paper (MCQ) of 75 questions, each with five possible answers, all to be completed in 2 hours 30 minutes;
DPM Part 2 consists of a Short Answer Question (SAQ) paper of ten questions all to be completed in 2 hours 30 minutes (with 15 additional minutes of reading time added at the start from 2025); and a Critical Appraisal paper (CAP) in which candidates have 2 hours 30 minutes to study a published paper and answer questions on it.
The time allowed for the written exam is sufficient to complete the papers working at a reasonable pace. See our reasonable adjustment policy (pdf) for candidates who may require additional time.
Please refer to the Guidance and regulations for DPM candidates (pdf) for details of changes implemented in 2019, whereby a Part 1 pass is now final leading to an award of CPM and Part 2 candidates who pass one of the papers but fail the other, do not have to retake the paper they passed at the subsequent 3 exam sittings.
A recent DPM awardee
“Having a solid foundation in the pillars of Pharm Med (RGN, Clin Dev, Clin Pharm, DSS, HMP, SDM) equips you with the core skills required for any role in pharma“- A recent DPM awardee
