COVID-19 update
Find out about how we'll be delivering our courses in 2020.
Full Time: 4 Years
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 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.
Typical offer A Level ABB | IB 32 points overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £20,830 per year
* UK and EU Fee Changes
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK and EU** students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
From 2020, the UK government may link tuition fees to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
**EU students
For more information on fees, loans and grants for EU students, see fees and funding for home/EU students.
Additional Costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. 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 and other EU countries 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.
What career can you have?
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.