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MPAS PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE STUDIES

  • UCAS code
    BB96
  • Typical offer
    ABB including Biology and Chemistry
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
  • Course duration
     4 years
  • Year of entry
    2022/23
  • Course duration
     4 years
View all

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Find out how we're adapting during COVID-19.

Train to become a fully qualified physician associate with our MPAS Physician Associate Studies programme.

Gain the skills and knowledge to become a physician associate: a healthcare professional trained in the medical model, being developed across the NHS.

As a member of a medical team, work alongside doctors in hospitals and GP practices, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Taught by experts from the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and the School of Biological Sciences, this course offers:

  • industry-specific training.Designed in partnership with our local NHS partners to respond to career needs within the NHS, our course offers you the most relevant, practical content.
  • teaching from medical experts. You will be taught by NHS staff and academics whose research prevents disease, improves diagnoses, develops new therapies and advances clinical practice. Everyone who teaches you has on-the-ground experience.
  • clinical placements. Take part in placements within both primary and secondary healthcare settings throughout your degree.

Learning structure of the MPAS Physician Associate Studies

The first two years will equip you with a strong biological science base, and the ability to apply this learning to inform medical practice. These two years align with our BSc Medical Science degree.

Alongside your scientific learning, you will also acquire:

  • one-day placements in different healthcare environments
  • professional skills training, including reflective practice and communication
  • knowledge of public health and nutrition, with reference to patient care and clinical practice.

During the final two years of the programme, your learning will mirror our established MSc Physician Associate Studies.

Real-world experience and training

Complete placements within many areas of medical practice, across a variety of hospital and community settings.

In the first two years, you will undertake mini work-shadowing placements to understand the working environment of the NHS. In your third year, you will work on rotation with around 350 hours of clinical placements in both primary and secondary healthcare settings. In your final year this will increase to 1,350 hours, ensuring that you are well prepared to practice as a physician associate upon graduation.

Overview

Train to become a fully qualified physician associate with our MPAS Physician Associate Studies programme.

Gain the skills and knowledge to become a physician associate: a healthcare professional trained in the medical model, being developed across the NHS.

As a member of a medical team, work alongside doctors in hospitals and GP practices, supporting the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Taught by experts from the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and the School of Biological Sciences, this course offers:

  • industry-specific training.Designed in partnership with our local NHS partners to respond to career needs within the NHS, our course offers you the most relevant, practical content.
  • teaching from medical experts. You will be taught by NHS staff and academics whose research prevents disease, improves diagnoses, develops new therapies and advances clinical practice. Everyone who teaches you has on-the-ground experience.
  • clinical placements. Take part in placements within both primary and secondary healthcare settings throughout your degree.

Learning structure of the MPAS Physician Associate Studies

The first two years will equip you with a strong biological science base, and the ability to apply this learning to inform medical practice. These two years align with our BSc Medical Science degree.

Alongside your scientific learning, you will also acquire:

  • one-day placements in different healthcare environments
  • professional skills training, including reflective practice and communication
  • knowledge of public health and nutrition, with reference to patient care and clinical practice.

During the final two years of the programme, your learning will mirror our established MSc Physician Associate Studies.

Real-world experience and training

Complete placements within many areas of medical practice, across a variety of hospital and community settings.

In the first two years, you will undertake mini work-shadowing placements to understand the working environment of the NHS. In your third year, you will work on rotation with around 350 hours of clinical placements in both primary and secondary healthcare settings. In your final year this will increase to 1,350 hours, ensuring that you are well prepared to practice as a physician associate upon graduation.

Entry requirements A Level ABB including Biology and Chemistry | IB 32 points overall including grade 5 in both Higher level Biology and Chemistry

Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.

Typical offer

ABB including Biology and Chemistry at grade B

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall including grade 5 in both higher level Biology and Chemistry

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5

For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.

Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students

For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.

  • Learn more about our International Foundation programme

Pre-sessional English language programme

If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.

  • Find out the English language requirements for our courses and our pre-sessional English programme

Structure

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Core modules include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Pathology
  • Building Blocks of Life
  • Medical Microbiology
  • Principles of Drug Action
  • Public Health and Nutrition
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Professional Skills for Clinical Sciences

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology 2
  • Clinical Biomedicine
  • Molecular Drug Targets 1
  • Molecular Drug Targets 2
  • Medicines in Healthcare
  • Professional Skills

Optional modules include:

  • Bioinformatics
  • Physiological Biochemistry
  • Nutritional Science
  • Drug Design and Delivery

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Professional Skills and Clinical Placements
  • Research Skills
  • Therapeutics and Systems of the Human Body

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Core modules include:

  • Clinical Knowledge and Placements
  • Research and Enquiry

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250* per year

New international students: £23,700 per year

*UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes

UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.

EU student fees

With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.

Additional costs

Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.

Financial support for your studies

You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.

Careers

Careers for MPAS Physician Associate Studies graduates

As a physician associate, you will be able to work in a wide variety of workplaces including GP practices, community health services and all types of hospital care.

Supporting doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients, you will:

  • take medical histories
  • perform examinations
  • diagnose illnesses
  • analyse test results
  • develop management plans.

A lack of trained physician associates in the UK means that career prospects for graduates are excellent. The predicted growth of this role across the NHS, to fill an important resource gap, indicates strong continued employment prospects.

Contextual offers


We make contextual offers for all our courses.

Take the next step


How to apply

Come to an Open Day

Get a prospectus

Ask us a question

Chat to our students

Related Courses

  • BSc Medical Science C750
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Pharmacology B210
    Full Time: 3 Years
  • BSc Pharmacology with a Year in Industry B211
    Full Time: 4 Years
View all Medical Sciences courses
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
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  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
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  • Real Estate and Planning
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Subjects A-B

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Science
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Architectural Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Building and Surveying
  • Business and Management, Accounting and Finance

Subjects C-E

  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Classical Studies
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management
  • Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Drama
  • Ecology
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environment

Subjects F-G

  • Film & Television
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Foundation programmes
  • French
  • Geography
  • German
  • Graphic Communication and Design

Subjects H-M

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • International Development
  • International Foundation Programme (IFP)
  • International Relations
  • Italian
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Marketing
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Sciences
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Museum Studies

Subjects N-T

  • Nutrition
  • Pharmacology
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate Studies
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Psychology
  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Spanish
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Surveying and Construction
  • Teaching
  • Theatre

Subjects U-Z

  • Wildlife Conservation
  • Zoology

Subjects A-C

  • Agriculture
  • Ancient History
  • Animal Sciences
  • Archaeology
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Business (Post-Experience)
  • Business and Management (Pre-Experience)
  • Chemistry
  • Classics and Ancient History
  • Climate Science
  • Computer Science
  • Construction Management and Engineering
  • Consumer Behaviour
  • Creative Enterprise

Subjects D-G

  • Data Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Energy and Environmental Engineering
  • Engineering
  • English Language and Applied Linguistics
  • English Literature
  • Environmental Science
  • Film, Theatre and Television
  • Finance
  • Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Geography and Environmental Science
  • Graphic Design

Subjects H-P

  • Healthcare
  • History
  • Information Management and Digital Business
  • Information Technology
  • International Development and Applied Economics
  • Languages and Cultures
  • Law
  • Linguistics
  • Management
  • Medieval History
  • Meteorology and Climate
  • Microbiology
  • Nutritional Sciences
  • Pharmacy
  • Philosophy
  • Physician Associate
  • Politics and International Relations
  • Project Management
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy

Subjects Q-Z

  • Real Estate and Planning
  • Social Policy
  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Strategic Studies
  • Teaching
  • Theatre
  • Typography and Graphic Communication
  • War and Peace Studies
  • Zoology

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Visit an Open Day
Get a prospectus
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