Exam guide
What the Diplomate Examination is, how its two papers and four parts fit together, and how to prepare for each one. Written in plain English, with the official source linked wherever format or regulations matter.
What it is
The Diplomate Examination (DFPH) is set by the UK Faculty of Public Health. It tests knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of public health, and the ability to apply that knowledge and those skills to practice.
Passing the DFPH is a required milestone in UK public health specialty training, and the exam is also sat by other eligible candidates working in or towards public health roles. Eligibility, fees, dates and the application process are set out by the Faculty, and change from time to time, so take those details from the official page rather than from a summary like this one.
The exam has two written papers. Paper I tests knowledge; Paper II tests skills. Each paper is split into two parts, giving four components in total: IA, IB, IIA and IIB. At the time of writing, the Faculty schedules one working day between Paper I and Paper II.
The sensible preparation strategy follows that structure: broad, well-organised knowledge for Paper I, and deliberately practised appraisal and data skills for Paper II. Our guide to each paper goes into the detail.
Structure at a glance
Timings below are as published by the Faculty of Public Health at the time of our last review. They are reproduced to help you plan and may change: always confirm them on the official page before you sit.
Knowledge
Compulsory short-answer questions testing knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of public health.
Paper IA
2 hours 30 minutes
Research methods, disease prevention, health promotion and health information.
Paper IB
1 hour 40 minutes
Medical sociology, social policy, health economics and health care organisation and management.
Skills
Application of skills: appraising a published paper and working with public health data.
Paper IIA
2 hours 30 minutes
Critical appraisal of a published research paper, with structured questions.
Paper IIB
2 hours
Data manipulation and interpretation across several structured sections.
Passing, results and regulations
Candidates need to pass both papers. The detailed pass rules, including how the parts of Paper II are combined, the number of attempts allowed and how results are released, are set out in the Faculty's examination regulations. We deliberately do not paraphrase them.
Guides to each paper
Each guide explains what the paper tests, how questions are framed, how to approach them and the mistakes that cost marks, with links to matching free practice.
Knowledge and understanding
The knowledge paper. Compulsory short-answer questions across the breadth of the syllabus, sat in two parts (IA and IB) on the same day.
Read the guideCritical appraisal
The critical appraisal paper. You are given a published research paper and asked structured questions about its design, conduct, results and implications.
Read the guideData interpretation
The data paper. Several sections built around tables, charts and statistical output, testing whether you can manipulate, interpret and present public health data.
Read the guideIndependent preparation resource. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Faculty of Public Health.
All questions on DFPHprep are original and written to resemble the style of the exam. They are not official questions and have no connection to past or future papers. For the official syllabus, regulations and dates, see the FPH exam pages.
A free set of original, exam-style questions with explanations and model answer points. No account needed.