Use the current Society syllabus and sample questions. Revise current BASHH, BHIVA and EACS guidance. BASHH/BHIVA offer relevant revision teaching; attendance does not replace the examination eligibility checks.
Society of Apothecaries of London
Diplomas in Genitourinary Medicine and HIV Medicine
The 2026/27 RCPI Genitourinary Medicine curriculum requires trainees to pass a Diploma in GUM and a Diploma in HIV during HST. The Society of Apothecaries runs separate GUM and HIV diplomas with different entry and examination arrangements. Confirm the accepted examining route with the RCPI trainer before booking; the curriculum does not name an examining body.
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Components
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Dates listed
Examining body: Society of Apothecaries of London
Who can sit it
For Dip GUM, the 2026 medical route requires at least 3 years since qualification, GMC registration or approved equivalent national registration, and either 6 months supervised level 3 sexual-health experience or 3 months plus BASHH course modules 1–4. Supervisor verification is required. For Dip HIV, the 2026 guide requires at least 5 years since qualification, GMC or approved equivalent national registration, and at least 2 years of regular HIV clinical experience at specialty-trainee level or equivalent, including inpatient and outpatient work and practice within the last 5 years. Overseas-registered applicants need the Society committee’s approval.
When NCHDs sit it
During HST after acquiring the required supervised experience and agreeing timing and the accepted diploma route with the trainer. UK ST6/ST7 progression deadlines are not Irish HST deadlines.
Exam format
Diploma in Genitourinary Medicine£1,195 first entry (written and OSCE); resits £717 written / £478 OSCE · 1/yr
A remotely invigilated online written paper of 120 Best-of-Five questions, plus an in-person 12-station OSCE at Apothecaries Hall, London. · Written 3 hours; OSCE described as approximately 3 hours overall.
The 2026 guide requires both components at first entry. Both must be passed; one component pass can be retained for up to two years. The OSCE has 12 stations of 10 minutes, with a requirement to pass eight stations. The current Society page lists the 2027 written exam on 15 September and OSCE window 28–29 September; confirm the allocated day. Application deadlines are not yet specified there.
Diploma in HIV Medicine£478 first entry or resit · 2/yr
A remotely invigilated online written paper of 120 Best-of-Five questions. The HIV diploma no longer has an OSCE; that component was removed in 2025. · 3 hours
The current 2026 guide describes a written-only examination. Some older training resources still describe an HIV OSCE and should not determine the current format. The next listed examination is 22 April 2027, 09:30–12:30. Applications are to open in due course; no closing date is supplied on the current page.
Dates
- 22 Apr 2027SittingHIV Medicine BO5 written examination (Dip HIV Med)
- 15 Sept 2027SittingGUM BO5 written examination (Dip GUM)
- 28 Sept 2027SittingGUM OSCE window begins (28–29 September; allocated day to be confirmed) (Dip GUM)
Training links
HST Genito-Urinary Medicine
Required pass. The curriculum requires both GUM and HIV diploma passes. Confirm the accepted examining route with your trainer; it does not name the examining body.
Preparation resources
College guidance, question banks, books and courses, grouped by format. Descriptions identify their coverage; provider pages give current prices and access terms.
College guidance
Current official guidance and preparation material.
Current official guidance and preparation material.
Current official guidance and preparation material.
Current official guidance and preparation material.
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Preparing
Facts last verified 2026-10-26.