MSc Physician Associate Studies

at University of Bolton

This full-time course is two years in duration, involving at least 106 weeks of learning (92 weeks of this is structured learning). This includes time dedicated to supporting and preparing you for your first National Certification Examination. This is a highly demanding course, so please be aware that you’ll be expected to complete at least 50 hours of learning per week.
 

We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods. You can expect lectures, seminars, clinical simulations, service user simulations, work-based learning, seminars and group discussion, tutorials, guided study, and using virtual learning environments (VLE) and e-learning packages. Problem-based learning is an essential element of the course and allows you to identify your individual learning needs and develop critical thinking. You’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.
 

Your studies will start by developing your underpinning knowledge of core medical science and the professional standards of a physician associate. You’ll learn clinical skills in our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites at the University – these are simulated clinical environments complete with simulated patients that allow us to mimic emergency clinical scenarios in a safe and supportive environment. This allows you to learn how to manage such situations and gain experience of the procedures and personnel involved before you further develop these skills in genuine clinical environments under supervision during your work-based practice placements. You’ll also begin to build a portfolio to demonstrate your development of competence in these clinical skills.
 

Your studies will involve a significant proportion of work-based learning at practice placements with our partner NHS Trusts (please note that travelling to various locations will be required). These will be woven into each learning block, and you’ll begin to apply your developing knowledge, skills and behaviours from your earliest weeks of the course. Your clinical placements will start in your first learning block, and your exposure to the clinical setting and differing specialisms will grow to reflect your increasing knowledge and skills. Most placements will be in Greater Manchester. However, please be aware that some may be in the Lancashire area, and it will be your responsibility to arrange travel to placement locations.
 

Once you have developed the key underpinning medical science knowledge, you’ll learn how to make safe clinical decisions and interpret the investigations and imaging you have ordered to further a patient’s diagnosis and care – this will prepare you for your role as a physician associate. Throughout the programme, you’ll be closely supported in both the University and clinical settings, and our focus will be on helping you achieve your individual learning needs.
 

In addition to learning how to diagnose and care for adults in hospital and other care settings, you’ll also learn to practice in different clinical specialisms, including paediatrics, General Practice, mental health, and emergency medicine. Other placement opportunities based on local health needs, your interests or learning needs may also be available.

You can expect a range of assessment methods, including essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, set exercises via multiple-choice questions, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), traditional examinations and assessment of practice within the practice setting. As well as completing the assessments set by the University of Bolton, you’ll develop a clinical portfolio and sit the Physician Associate National Certification Examination at the end of the course – the National Certification Examination is run by the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians (FPARCP) and incurs an additional cost. All students who qualify from UK physician associate programmes are required to pass the National Certification Examination before they can be declared fit to practice in the UK and must then undergo recertification every six years.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
• Foundations of Professional Clinical Practice and Core Procedures
• Advancing Skills of the Physician Associate, Health Education and Core Procedures
• Assessments, Diagnostics and Treatment Planning for Physician Associates
• Physician Associate Dissertation/Research Project
• Impact of the Physician Associate in Practice (Project)
   

• You should have at least a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in a life or health science subject.
• Alternatively, you should have at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1) in a science, engineering or social science subject, along with higher education credits (for instance, Open University modules) in human biology and either infectious disease and public health or molecular and cell biology, with an overall mark of at least 60%.
• Health care professionals (for instance, operating department practitioners, paramedics and adult nurses) with a Diploma of Higher Education with at least 50% overall and a minimum of two years experience in a professional role are invited to apply.
• You must also have GCSEs in English and Mathematics at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent).
• If you don’t meet these requirements but have a level HE5 qualification in a relevant area, and recent honours-level or postgraduate credits linked to your profession (or relevant professional qualification), and a minimum of two years’ experience in a professional healthcare role, and a portfolio of supporting evidence, we’ll consider your application.
• You’ll be invited for an interview to ensure that you understand the requirements and level of this course and ensure it’s the correct course for you. We may also ask you to submit a portfolio of evidence in support of your application or undertake an assessment so that we can gauge your current academic ability.
• The interview process will involve face-to-face interviews with academic and practice staff. You’ll also be assessed on your values, behaviours, communication and problem solving skills. We’re seeking students who can demonstrate commitment to a career as a physician associate, who have excellent communication skills and who are caring, compassionate and courageous.
• If you’re successful at the interview stage, you’ll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a DBS check.
• You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re of good health and good character and satisfactorily pass occupational health screening.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• This course involves working unsupervised with vulnerable adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £18,500

Physician associates are highly sought-after clinical professionals in the health care sector. This generalist role works under medical supervision, assisting doctors in a variety of health care settings. The physician associate profession is supported by the Department of Health, the Royal Colleges of Physicians and General Practitioners, and particularly by the Faculty of Physician Associates at the Royal College of Physicians (FPARCP).
 

The UK’s population is increasing and ageing. The demand for physician associates who can support GPs, hospital doctors and medical teams in acute and primary care is rapidly expanding. The role was developed in the United States in the 1960s, and is now a well-established health care profession. Introduced to the UK in 1993, the role has proved so valuable that the UK government has set targets to increase the number of physician associates working in the NHS.