MSc in Physician Associate

at University of Reading

Year 1

In your first year, half of your time will be spent undertaking clinical placements within the NHS alongside on-going learning at the university. You will gain an understanding of the basic medical sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, histology, genetics, microbiology, pathology, physiology) together with the principles of patient consultation.

Your second year will build on your core knowledge, integrating academic learning with block rotational clinical placements. You will be supported to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, undertake decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations and continue to develop the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Throughout your studies you will complete formative of knowledge and its application to clinical scenarios. Summative assessments will include written examinations, such as multiple-choice questions, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). These assessments will prepare you for the Physician Associate National Certification Examination, which takes the same format.

You will be required to complete the "Research methods" and "Research project" modules. This research should be carried out in the workplace with support from research staff at the University.

IELTS: 7.5 overall with no element less than 7.0 (or equivalent)

Entry requirements: Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (2.1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK, in a relevant life sciences subject – for example, biological sciences, biomedical sciences, biochemistry, pharmacy, psychology. Applicants with a good lower second-class honours degree (2.2) combined with other relevant practical healthcare skills and experience (or qualifications and experience considered to be equivalent to the above) will also be considered. The application deadline is normally in May; please get in contact for more information.

Candidates from the UK will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, arranged and funded by the University. All non-UK candidates need to provide a certificate of no criminal convictions – provided by their own Country before entering the UK. Candidates also complete an occupational health questionnaire, provided and funded by the University, and complete a declaration of health. Evidence is required of up-to-date vaccinations including MMR, varicella (chicken pox), hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

As part of the application process for this programme, you will be required to attend an interview.

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £10,550 per year

New international students: £22,850 per year

A Physician Associate (PA) is a healthcare professional trained in the medical model who works as a member of a medical team under the supervision of a doctor or surgeon in a wide variety of workplaces (including GP practices, community health services and all types of hospital care). PAs support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients and are trained to perform a number of roles including:

• taking medical histories
• performing examinations
• diagnosing illnesses
• analysing test results
• developing management plans

The PA role is flexible and is being developed across the NHS to meet major staffing strategies. A lack of trained PAs in the UK means that career prospects for graduates are excellent. The predicted growth of the PA role across the NHS to fill an important resource gap indicates strong continued employment prospects for graduates.