Physician Associate Studies

Entry requirements

You must have at least a 2:1 in a relevant Biosciences Degree (for example, Biomedical, Biological or Medical Sciences, Biochemistry, Sports Sciences, Pharmacology), or be predicted to achieve this at the time of application. We will also accept specific nursing Health Sciences degrees with sufficient scientific grounding and extensive postgraduate clinical experience. Applicants must have GCSE English Language/Literature at Grade B/6 or GCSE Language/Literature at Grade C/5 if higher level degree achieved, and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C/5 or above, or equivalent. Alternative entry qualifications may also be considered.

You will need to demonstrate a sufficient grounding in Chemistry either through your degree, or A-levels, to successfully engage with the pharmacological aspects of the programme. If you are unsure whether you meet this criterion, please upload your degree transcript when you submit your application which will then be reviewed by the Programme Director.

You will also need to demonstrate your commitment to the role of a healthcare professional and have excellent communication skills. Evidence of work experience in a clinical or healthcare setting (e.g. healthcare assistant or care home) is desirable but not essential.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Physician Associates provide crucial support to doctors, and work as part of multi-disciplinary teams in the diagnosis and management of patients. Whilst still a relatively new profession in the NHS, numbers of Physician Associates are increasing across the UK, and with that comes the recognition of the vital role they play in delivering high quality care. This is supported by professional regulation of Physician Associates by the General Medical Council.

Our MSc in Physician Associate Studies is a two year, intensive professional Masters programme, developed to meet the requirements of the National Competence and Curriculum Framework for Physician Associates. On successful completion of this programme you will be eligible to sit the National Licensing Examination, administered by the Faculty of Physician Associates, in order to gain entry into the profession and begin practice.

Taught by practising clinicians and healthcare professionals, including Physician Associates, you will be trained to diagnose and treat according to the medical model – similarly to medics – so you will be well prepared to complement the clinical team but also work independently with appropriate support.

Physician Associate students will mostly be based at the University of Hull and study in the award winning Allam Medical Building at the heart of the University’s £28 million health campus.

Procedural skills teaching takes place in our dedicated teaching facilities at Castle Hill Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary, part of Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where you will learn and practise medical procedures.

You will experience a diverse range of clinical placements throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region, beginning in week three of the programme, including one or more of the main hospital sites at Hull, York, Scarborough, Scunthorpe and Grimsby.

You will gain a huge breadth of experience, whether that be in the major trauma centre of Hull Royal Infirmary, or in a rural GP surgery outside Scarborough.

These experiences will be invaluable in shaping you as a resilient, knowledgeable, empathetic and highly skilled health professional, enabling you to meet the challenges ahead.

Quality Improvement Project

In your second year, you will also undertake a quality/service improvement project. Experience of carrying out this type of project is highly sought after in the NHS.

Your project provides you with the opportunity to apply the research and critical appraisal skills you have developed throughout your course to recommend approaches to improve quality within a healthcare setting.

Elective

You will also complete a 5-week Elective clinical placement at the end of Year 2, enabling in depth study in an area of personal interest embedded in a clinical team, which provides excellent preparation for clinical practice.

Information for international students

Applicants whose first language is not English must have one of the following:

• IELTS: 7.5, with no less than 7.0 in each component
• PTE Academic: 73, with no less than 67 in each component
• CAE and CPE (from Jan 2015): 191, with no less than 185 in each component
• TOEFL: 102, with no less than 24 in each component
• Trinity ISE: Level 3, with 'Distinction' in each component
• LangCert C1 Expert High Pass (minimum score 33/50)

Fees and funding

There are a number of funding options available to help with costs and support your postgraduate study. To apply for funding, you will need to hold an offer to study at Hull York Medical School.