History of Medicine
An exploration into the intersections of religion, medicine and society
About the Course
The History of Medicine course provides a deep dive into the fascinating journey of medical practices from circa 1500 BCE to the present day.
Topics range from Egyptian and Islamic Medicine, Medieval and Renaissance Medicine, through to psychiatry, epidemics and public health.
Collections-based sessions and practical guidance provide students with the tools they need to support their own study of medical history, drawing on the rich heritage of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries and its splendid Livery Hall.
- 60+ unique sessions delivered by 44 leading historians, clinicians and curators
- 55+ hours of teaching, including 29+ hours delivered remotely via Zoom
- 2 years of access to lectures, recordings, slides and other online resources through our learning platform
- Exclusive access to a large community of published historians, medics and like-minded learners
Taught at a postgraduate level, the History of Medicine course is designed to help participants fulfil their personal objectives and interests in medical history.
The course provides an immersive educational journey filled with lectures, hands-on sessions and exclusive access to historical medical collections.
There are no specific entrance criteria to enrol on the course, and practical sessions equip participants with the skills to write, assess sources, utilise archives and gain an appreciation of the critical lenses that underpin historical research. Participants do not need to have a medical or historical background, just the time and interest to devote to the journey.
Course days take place outside of the working week, with seven of the fourteen sessions happening remotely.
With access to online course materials, participants can learn at their own pace, from anywhere in the world.
With 60-70 hours of dedicated study, the History of Medicine course covers medical history ranging from c.1500 BCE to the present day.
Experts from various academic disciplines and institutions will be on hand to deliver a range of sessions both in-person and online. Participants also have access to course materials through our learning platform.
From ancient healing practices to modern healthcare systems, participants trace the evolution of medicine through time and across cultures, with a focus on the Western Medical Tradition.
Throughout the course, participants will explore essential concepts in medical and healthcare history, gaining valuable insights that will enrich their understanding of the field.
Whether you’re new to the subject area or a seasoned scholar looking to deepen your understanding, the History of Medicine course has something for you.
The course will help you to hone your research abilities for historical investigation in medicine and healthcare, equipping you with the tools needed to delve into this fascinating subject area.
Participants will engage in lively discussions, explore major London medical museums, and network with like-minded individuals, fostering both social and intellectual connections.
Take the History of Medicine course and enhance your ability to critically assess the historical significance of people, events, and developments in medicine, and foster a deeper appreciation for the subject.
What our students and lecturers say
"The course provides a rare opportunity for those developing an interest in the subject to go further in a friendly, scholarly atmosphere"
"You cannot obtain this quality of academic teaching in the history of medicine anywhere else in the world."
"It was stimulating, thought provoking and challenging – a truly wonderful learning experience and one of the highlights of my medical career"
Course timetable
The course takes place on 14 Saturdays from October 2024 to June 2025, delivered online and in-person at Apothecaries’ Hall in London.
October
- Starting Out in History
- Tour of Apothecaries’ Hall
- The Kinds of Medicine: An Introduction to the History of Medicine
- Ancient Egyptian Medicine
- Paleopathology
- Greek and Roman Medicine
- Women in Medicine in the Graeco-Roman World
November
- Medicine in the Islamic World
- Medieval Medicine and the Church
- At the Cutting Edge? Becoming a late Medieval Surgeon
- Becoming an Historian
- Exploring the Society of Apothecaries’ Archive
- Early Modern Medicine
- Medicine in the Eighteenth Century
- Women in Healthcare and Medicine 1700-1950
- Hospitals in History
December
- Material and Visual Culture of Medicine
- Using Images in Medical History
- Apothecaries and General Practice
- Locating Medical History Resources
- Session to introduce the DHMSA examination
January
- Plagues and Sepsis
- Infectious Diseases and the Birth of Microbiology
- Tuberculosis and Other Respiratory Disorders
- Public Health Ancient and Modern
- The History of Anaesthesia
- The Heart in Medicine
- Scottish Contributions to the History of Medicine
- The History of Neuroscience
February
- Renaissance Learned Medicine 1492-1600
- ‘How to’ Session - Archive to Outputs
- ‘How to’ Session - Writing Medical History
- Sharing History Research
- Psychiatry from the Asylum to the Second World War
- Psychiatry: The NHS and Beyond
- Patient Voices
- Healing under Fire: The Development of British Military Medicine
March
- Visit to the London Archives (TBC)
- Western Medicine and the British Empire
- Drugs in the Long 20th Century c.1860-c.2010
- Exploring the Society of Apothecaries’ Archive
- Chinese Medicine
- Eat This Root: A Botanical History of Some Key Medicinals
- An Overview of the History of Medical Ethics
- ‘How to’ Session - DMHSA essay skills
- Introduction to Ayurveda
April
- The Development of Radiology Parts I and II
- ‘How to’ Session - Speaking Skills and Test Lecture
- The Evolution of Surgery
- The History of Orthopaedics and Trauma (and Wounds)
May
- History of Guy’s Hospital and Visit to the Gordon Museum
- History of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Visit to Old Operating Theatre and Herb Garret
- History of Anatomy
- Microscopes and Museums Tour
June
- A History of the Pharmacy Shop.
- Historical Perspectives on Medical Collection
- Discussion on Ethics of Museum Collecting
- Walking Tour of Blackfriars
How to apply
Applications to the course are now open.
Payment is made online via our website. You will then gain access to our online learning platform to complete your application and view your learning materials.
Student rates apply to those registered on a full or part-time undergraduate, postgraduate or other course of study as of 1 October 2024. You will be asked to provide proof of enrolment in your application form.
Alternatively, why not 'drop-in' to attend a selected day from the programme for the standalone fee of £100 (maximum 3 days per year). Email us for more details. Terms and conditions apply.
- Full price: £1,155
- Student price: £700
- Drop-in price: £105
Contact Matthew Scudder at AcademicTraining@apothecaries.org or on 020 7236 1180 (x-212) for more details.
Diploma in the History of Medicine (DHMSA)
If you want to continue your journey into the history of medicine after completing this course, you may wish to consider the Diploma in the History of Medicine (DHMSA).
The Diploma is intended to indicate familiarity with medical and healthcare practice from ancient to modern times and understanding of relevant methods of enquiry. It demonstrates the ability to identify, access, evaluate and share historic material; skills which are assessed through completing a dissertation and presenting a lecture to a specific audience.
Students who have completed the course in the History of Medicine are eligible to take the examination for three years after completion of the course.
Contact
Academic Department
Centre for Health Studies, Apothecaries' Hall, Black Friars Lane, London EC4V 6EJ
e: AcademicTraining@apothecaries.org
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