MSc Physician Associate Studies

Why choose Herts?

Fantastic Facilities: You will practice within our nationally recognised state-of-the-art simulation centre.
Work-Related Learning: You will be exposed to local healthcare environments for real-life practical training, to maximise local employment opportunities upon graduating.
Strong Industry Connections: Benefit from clinical placements with local hospitals and trusts including Hertfordshire University Trusts, Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and GP practices.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject. Suitable subjects include (but not limited to) life sciences (biomedical sciences, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, healthcare sciences etc.). Being an Allied Health professional, nurse, midwife or pharmacist is also an acceptable route onto the course.

Applicants with equivalent or non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

A robust recruitment process is in place and includes:

Consideration of ability to work within teams
Demonstration of NHS Values
Commitment to holistic patient care
Understanding of the importance of patient safety

Please note: applicants are not permitted to defer their place for this course, and it is not possible to apply for deferred entry. This is because the programme is partially funded each year by NHSE and we cannot transfer funding from one year to another. International students are not eligible to study this course due to this funding regulation.

Course length

The course duration is approximately 90 weeks over two years with a balance between theory and clinical practice demonstrated throughout which will meet the requirements of the National Curriculum Framework.


UCAS code	BB96
Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Life and Medical Sciences
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

On successful completion of the course, you will need to pass an additional national professional exam, to practice as a Physician Associate.

Healthcare courses at the University of Hertfordshire have a very strong record of producing students who are quickly successful in gaining relevant work. Undertaking placements will mean you will have plenty of links into potential sources of local work when you finish. Both local hospitals and GP practices have expressed an interest and are committed to recruit from the our physician associate graduates.

Work placement

The course takes place for 45 weeks a year over two years, with approximately 50% of students’ time spent on theory and the rest of the time on clinical practice.

The University will secure all student placements within reasonable criteria and parameters.

About the course

Are you a recent graduate or mature student with a science or healthcare background or experience? Do you want to develop the “cognitive dimension” of clinical decision making and directly contribute to people’s health? If so, this course may be for you.

If you successfully complete the course and pass the national exam, you will be able to start a career in healthcare and medicine that will provide you with the opportunity to deliver person-centred, quality, patient care.

This course is a two-year intensive, clinically-focused course designed to emulate medical training at basic foundation level and is unlike any other Masters course in the mode of delivery.

Although this is a postgraduate programme, to apply you will find this course listed within the UCAS undergraduate element.

Why choose this course?

The current major healthcare workforce challenges have led to the emergence of Physician Associates as the new rapidly evolving role within the NHS. Physician Associates support the workforce in the delivery of quality holistic care and treatment for patients, and the role is high on the agenda for commissioners and healthcare organisations. Therefore, opportunities for employment and development in the future is immense and far-reaching in breadth and scope.

As a Physician Associate, you will work autonomously under a supervising doctor or surgeon to deliver medical care to patients. The versatility of this role is such that the PA can deliver care in almost all settings within healthcare and is able to pursue and develop their area of passion and interest further upon qualification.

We're proud to have a 92% overall satisfaction score for medicine and dentistry in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, 2024). You can be confident in knowing you're receiving an exceptional learning experience when you study this course.

Why University of Hertfordshire?

Our Trainee Physician Associates (TPA) have access to a whole range of benefits by studying with us. This includes:

An engaging blended learning environment including:
Problem-based learning opportunities
Practical, clinical and procedural skills training equivalent to medical students
Variety of lectures delivered by senior level clinicians and consultants
Utilisation of a nationally recognised state-of-the-art simulation centre
Exposure to local healthcare environment providing hands-on practical training and experience through placements to maximise the chances of local employment opportunities on qualification
A programme led by an experienced faculty team with a combined knowledge and experience of Physician Associate training and implementation of over 30 years.
Excellent teaching and learning at a university with a strong record of training quality health and social care students for the local system
Interest from both local hospitals and GP practices, who are committed to recruiting graduates from our Physician Associate course
A strong, positive student experience and bespoke support to diverse range of students to ensure they can achieve their best
A two-year course, unlike some other universities, to minimise the cost to the student and support those who are unable to commit to a lengthier programme

What will I study?

This is a clinically-focused course, delivered through a variety of taught lectures, small group sessions, problem-based learning, practical clinical skills, and simulated learning in our state-of-the art simulation centre which is the biggest in the UK. The underpinning clinical practice element runs throughout the two years in both primary and secondary care.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Core Clinical Competencies and Conditions 1	45 Credits	Compulsory
This module consists of classroom teaching and also 800 hours of clinical placement and focuses on the study of clinical competencies, diseases, conditions and presentations contained within the national physician associate curriculum (DH, 2006, DH, 2012, DH, 2016) which spans across the following specialities and disciplines of Clinical Medicine: 1. Cardiology, 2. Respiratory, 3. Gastroenterology, 4. Endocrinology, 5. Renal/Nephrology/Urology, 6. Genitourinary and Sexual Health, 7. Haematology and Oncology, 9. Neurology, 10. Psychiatry, 11. Orthopaedics, 12. Rheumatology, 13. Ear Nose Throat, 14. Ophthalmology, 15. Dermatology, 17. Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, 18. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 19. Paediatrics, 20. Public Health, 21. Ethics, Law and Professionalism. This module will cover 50% of the national curriculum. The students will learn about the common medical conditions and diseases within these specialities with respect to the determinants of health, including psychological and social, development, growth and ageing, health and wellbeing promotion, public health, epidemiology, behaviour change and health education. There will be a focus on medical assessment and management of illness and disease, clinical decision making in diagnosis and management planning, problem-solving, documentation and information management within the context of the wider multi-disciplinary team. There will be integrated teaching of core clinical conditions to include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, immunology and microbiology, pathology, aetiology, epidemiology, natural history, clinical features, interpretation of findings, determining need for investigations and applied pharmacology in therapeutic management of conditions.
Core Clinical Competencies and Conditions 2	45 Credits	Compulsory
This module consists of classroom teaching and focuses on the study of clinical competencies, diseases, conditions and presentations contained within the national Physician Associate curriculum (DH, 2006, DH, 2012, DH, 2016) which spans across the following specialties and disciplines of Clinical Medicine: Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Renal/Nephrology/Urology, Genitourinary and Sexual Health, Haematology and Oncology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Ear Nose Throat, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health, and Ethics, Law and Professionalism. This module will cover 50% of the national curriculum. The students will learn about the common medical conditions and diseases within these specialties with respect to the determinants of health, including psychological, social, development, growth and ageing, health and wellbeing promotion, public health, epidemiology, behaviour change and health education. There will be a focus on medical assessment and management of illness and disease, clinical decision making in diagnosis and management planning, problem-solving, documentation and information management within the context of the wider multi-disciplinary team. There will be integrated teaching of core clinical conditions to include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, immunology and microbiology, pathology, aetiology, epidemiology, natural history, clinical features, interpretation of findings, determining need for investigations and applied pharmacology in therapeutic management of conditions.
Professional Development, Communication and Clinical Skills	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will consist of Classroom reaching on medical models of consultation, comprehensive patient history taking including biomedical, psychological and social evidence to perform holistic assessment. Practical teaching on advanced communication skills, Physical examination of defined procedures relating, for example, to the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and genito-urinary systems and related anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of these systems. The above includes clinical decision making processes and problem-solving techniques, professional aspects of documentation, record keeping, accountability, risk assessment and management. Multi-disciplinary and interprofessional teamwork, ethical aspects and consent, principles of Health and Safety legislation and policy relevant to persons, procedures, identification of risks and hazards and the principles of Health policy relating to infection control, specimens and equipment use, notifiable diseases.
Medicines Optimisation	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will equip the PA student with the skills, knowledge, competencies and attributes required to be able to propose medical and therapeutic management plans as part of the overall management of patients. Students will develop a critical understanding of prescribing practice, systematic approaches to assessment and diagnosis, drug actions and the use of evidence-based information sources to guide the selection of the appropriate pharmacological product. The module is mapped to the national curriculum (DH, 2006, DH, 2012, DH, 2016) and will cover broad areas of consultation and decision-making regarding medical therapy of patients, legal and ethical aspects of prescribing practice, professional accountability and responsibility in proposing prescriptions, dispensing and administering medications, prescribing in the public health context, basic and applied aspects of pharmacology and therapeutics, influences on and psychology of prescribing, prescribing within the context of the multidisciplinary team and evidence-based prescribing.
Clinical practice project	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will enable PA students to design, plan and conduct a clinical practice project. This module is designed to build on learning opportunities in clinical practice through a project in a chosen field. Students will be required to discuss the rationale for the choice of clinical practice underpinned by available evidence-based literature, negotiate with supervisors on specific target outcomes that can be evaluated and contribute to clinical provision, and include critical analysis of the implications of practice.
Integrated evidence based practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides the basis for students to develop a further understanding of the management of chronic disease processes and illness. It will develop students knowledge of assessment and management using evidence-based practice. Students will be able to develop research skills which will help them in the second year whilst doing their clinical practice project. The module will increase understanding of holistic patient care by considering all parameters using holistic models such as SWOT and PEST(LE) analyses. This module will increase understanding of the contributory roles of the multidisciplinary team in the management of patients with chronic diseases to promote an inter-professional approach.
Placement Portfolio 1	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module consists of 558 hours of clinical placement and focuses on the study of clinical competencies, diseases, conditions and presentations contained within the national physician associate curriculum (DH, 2006, DH, 2012, DH, 2016) which spans across the following specialties and disciplines of Clinical Medicine: Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Renal/Nephrology/Urology, Genitourinary and Sexual Health, Haematology and Oncology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Ear Nose Throat, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health, Ethics, Law and Prof essionalism. The students will learn about the common medical conditions and diseases within these specialties with respect to the determinants of health, including psychological and social, development, growth and ageing, health and wellbeing promotion, public health, epidemiology, behaviour change and health education within the clinical context. There will be a focus on medical assessment and management of illness and disease, clinical decision making in diagnosis and management planning, problem-solving, documentation and information management within the context of the wider multi-disciplinary team.
Placement Portfolio 2	0 Credits	Compulsory
This module consists of 1225 hours of clinical placement and focuses on the study of clinical competencies, diseases, conditions and presentations contained within the national physician associate curriculum (DH, 2006, DH, 2012, DH, 2016) which spans across the following specialties and disciplines of Clinical Medicine: Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Renal/Nephrology/Urology, Genitourinary and Sexual Health, Haematology and Oncology, Neurology, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Ear Nose Throat, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health, and Ethics, Law and Professionalism. The students will learn about the common medical conditions and diseases within these specialties with respect to the determinants of health, including psychological and social, development, growth and ageing, health and wellbeing promotion, public health, epidemiology, behaviour change and health education within clinical settings. There will be a focus on medical assessment and management of illness and disease, clinical decision making in diagnosis and management planning, problem-solving, documentation and information management within the context of the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Key staff

Admissions Tutor Dr Oluyinka Idowu

Find out more about Admissions Tutor Dr Oluyinka Idowu

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Physician Associate Studies	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Physician Associate Studies	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £11655 for the 2024/2025 academic year. Number of places and funding is restricted for this course.
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £12360 for the 2025/2026 academic year. Number of places and funding is restricted for this course.
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
09/09/2024 30/09/2025 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Physician Associate Studies

Why choose Herts?

Course length

Careers

Work placement

About the course

Why choose this course?

Why University of Hertfordshire?

What will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

2024