MSc Physician Associate Studies

Content

Year one

You will study:

• Foundations in Clinical Medicine 1 (30 credits) – This module will incorporate anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, applied and diagnostic clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology and therapeutics. The module will be delivered through weekly virtual patient cases and will allow you to develop sound clinical reasoning skills.
• Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 1 (30 credits) – This module will focus on clinical and consultation skills. It will involve communication skills, physical examination and procedural skills and allow you to develop as a clinician. Your achievement of core clinical competencies and procedural skills will be documented throughout the module.
• Health and Social Care Research: Methods and Methodology (15 credits)
• Interprofessional Communication and Professional Practice (15 credits)
• Physician Associate Learning in Practice Project. (30 credits).

Year two

You will study:

• Foundations in Clinical Medicine 2 (30 credits) – Building on the learning from Foundations in Clinical Medicine 1, this module will give you a comprehensive understanding of the core medical and surgical specialties.
• Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 2 (30 credits) – Building on the skills of Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 1, this module will focus on clinical and consultation skills in acute practice. Your achievement of core clinical competencies and procedural skills will be documented throughout the module.

To achieve the MSc, you must successfully complete all modules, after which, you’ll be eligible to sit the UK Faculty of Physician Associates National Examination.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we’ll inform you.

Entry requirements

You will have;

• 2:1 in a suitable science/health-related subject. Please see more details below.
• Four weeks (120 hours) of work experience in an appropriate patient-facing healthcare setting, primary or secondary care.
• Grade C or above in English and Mathematics, or equivalent. Please note: The University does not accept Level 2 Key Skills, Functional Skills or Certificates in Adult Numeracy and Literacy as suitable alternatives to GCSEs.

Academic study should have been completed within five years of commencement of the course and some degrees we consider suitable are:

• Life sciences: Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Human Biology, Neuroscience, Biological Science, Microbiology, Anatomical Science.
• Health sciences: Allied Health Professions (Physiotherapy; Diagnostic Imaging; Radiotherapy; Paramedic Studies; Audiology), Dentistry, Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Optometry, Health Sciences*, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
• Biomedical sciences: Biomedicine/Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering.

*Please note: Transcripts will be reviewed to ensure Anatomy and Physiology level 4 or above have been covered in these degrees. If not provided in the course, applicants will be expected to show evidence of completion of these subjects elsewhere.

This course is not open to applicants previously enrolled on a Physician Associate course or individuals wishing to transfer from other Physician Associate courses.

We don’t accept deferred applications, and any places we offer will need to be taken within that year.

Due to high demand we encourage you to submit your application by Monday 14 February 2022. You can submit your application after this point but please be aware we cannot guarantee to consider late applications.

We’ll notify you of your application outcome by 15 March, and if successful, we’ll invite you to interview during April/May/June.

International qualifications

We accept equivalent qualifications gained in other countries.

Please note that there is no international reciprocity for Physician Associate Studies qualifications. Graduates of UK Physician Associate Studies courses are not eligible to work as Physician Associates in other countries.

Other essential criteria

Work experience

Work experience must have occurred within 18 months prior to starting the course.

The relevance of your work experience will be assessed during the admission process.

Personal statement

Within your application, please address and answer the following two questions:

• How does the role of a Physician Associate fit into the UK healthcare system?
• What is your motivation for becoming a Physician Associate, highlighting details of the experience and personal qualities you would bring to the course?

References

You must support your application with two satisfactory references, both dated within the last year. One must be a recent academic reference and the other should be either a second academic reference or a relevant professional/employer reference. Your referees should be able to comment on your suitability to undertake the course. You can send these to us after making the initial application.

Health Checks

You must be in good health and up-to-date with all routine immunisations that are required for working in health and social care settings. If you are offered a place on this course, you will be required to complete a questionnaire and must be prepared to undergo a medical examination. You will also be required to confirm your status in respect of a number of infectious diseases (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, varicella, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV antibodies, Covid-19) and be prepared to have all required vaccinations.  Please note that the list of required vaccinations may change, in response to advice from the Department of Health. If your vaccinations are not up-to-date, this will affect your ability to continue on your course. If you have any concerns with regards to vaccinations please raise this at the point of application.

Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview day.  This will be conducted virtually or face-to-face.

Professional registration

If you are a current or past member of a registered professional body, please provide details with your application.

English Language Requirement

Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in any section