The Royal Medical Society (RMS) is the oldest medical society in the United Kingdom (although this claim is also made by the earlier London-based Society of Apothecaries (1617) which is permitted to award medical degrees). The current President of the 280th session, is fourth year medical student, Mr Michael Dias. Known originally as 'the Medical Society' when it was established in 1737, it was granted a Royal Charter in 1778. The RMS is a professional society engaged in the advancement of medical knowledge and provision of assistance to medical students and professionals. It is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is run by students at the University of Edinburgh Medical School.