Physician Associate Studies

Entry requirements

• Bachelor degree with a minimum 2:2 (hons) in a biomedical science, health-related science or equivalent qualification. For example, but not limited to- Anatomical Science, Applied Medical Science, Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Medical Genetics, Anatomy and Human Biology, Healthcare Science (EG Audiology and Cardiac Physiology), Nursing, and Allied Health Professions such as Radiography, Physiotherapy and Paramedic Studies
  • Human anatomy and physiology is key to providing a foundation of learning for this course. Degrees such as Neuroscience, Pharmacy and Psychology will be reviewed for suitable levels of human anatomy and physiology content.
  • We will consider alternative academic qualifications on a case-by-case basis, and where necessary, ask for additional details of course and module content to review for suitable human anatomy and physiology content.

If in doubt, please email the Admissions Team to discuss the suitability of your degree and alternative options of study

You must apply to this course on UCAS.

We encourage applications from candidates already working in healthcare and can demonstrate/evidence (usually through continuing Professional Development – CPD) the ability to study at Masters Level. This will apply to candidates who have not studied in the last 5 years.

Ideally, you should have recent experience of volunteering or employment in a healthcare setting/environment. However, we are also looking for transferable skills from other similar activates, such as voluntary work or paid employment.

Due to the limited biology content, a number of Nursing Degrees are not appropriate for consideration for entry onto the course. If in doubt, please email the Admissions Team with details of the modules and content of your degree.

Health and Disclosure and Barring Service Screening

Before starting the Physician Associate Studies course all successful applicants will also need to pass health and criminal record screening.

The University has a policy statement on students with criminal records. Read the current Criminal Records policy and Guidance for Applicants with Criminal Convictions here. For the vast majority of students who are resident in the UK the record will be checked via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

For students who do not have a 5 year UK address history: The DBS check can only include background checks on your time in the UK. If you have been resident in the UK for less than 3 years, then a criminal record check from your home country is required in addition to the UK DBS check. This may be referred to as a "Certificate of Good Conduct" (CoGC), but the name varies.

Any offer of a place to study Physician Associate Studies is conditional upon a satisfactory confidential occupational health assessment, which will include a health questionnaire, and if necessary further telephone consultation and/or an appointment with an occupational health clinician. Screening for serious communicable disease, (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and a review of immunisation status and needs, which includes COVID-19, will also be arranged before beginning your studies.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.5 overall, with no less than 7.5 in spoken English. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Physician Associates are medically trained, generalist healthcare professionals, who work alongside doctors and provide medical care as an intergral part of the multidisciplinary team. Make an impact and improve patient care. Physician associates are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated medical supervisor, but are able to work autonomously with appropriate support to diagnose and treat patients.

Do and be more

Physician Associates work within a defined scope of practice and their roles and responsibilities include:

• Taking medical histories

• Performing physical examinations

• Requesting and interpreting diagnostic tests

• Diagnosing illnesses

• Managing patients with long term illnesses

• Performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

• Developing and deliver appropriate treatment and management plans

• Health promotion and disease prevention advice

More information can be found on the Faculty of Physician Associate website.

Why consider being a Physician Associate?

As a Physician Associate, you’ll work with a range of healthcare professionals to provide health and social care to a diverse patient population. This will require you to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills to be able to respond and adapt to different situations, be an effective team player with problem-solving skills and have a commitment to providing healthcare that is underpinned by the NHS Constitutional values.

The MSc in Physician Associate Studies is an intensive and challenges 2-year course that will require commitment, discipline and good organisational and time-management skills to be able to juggle the demands of your academic studies with your clinical placements. You will be encouraged to be an independent autonomous learner who can devise your own learning and support strategies.

Our course has been carefully developed to address local demand. It will equip you for clinical practice, with early clinical exposure and cadaveric anatomy.

You’ll have close support from personal and academic tutors throughout the course, whilst also developing your independent learning and research skills.

• Learn from leading professionals, whose teaching is underpinned by world-leading research.

• Gain experience from a diverse range of placements within Yorkshire and Humber, including major teaching hospitals, district general hospitals and general practices.

• Develop with support from personal tutors, course tutors, support staff and peer mentoring.

• Work with students from other healthcare related professions.

On our course, you’ll work with patients and carers from the Patient Carer Community (PCC). The members of the PCC support the teaching throughout the curriculum, through small group sessions in communication skills, workshops and assessments.

Also undertake training in basic ultrasound techniques with the opportunity to complete the Resuscitation Council’s Immediate Life Support course.

More information

After successfully completing this programme you must take the national qualifying examination (which you are prepared for throughout the course) in order to be entered on the voluntary national register (UKFPA) to practise as a Physician Associate.

More information can be found at the Faculty of Physician Associate website.

The University does not cover the cost of these exams.

Fees and funding

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.