MPAS Physician Studies Associate

Develop a strong foundation in clinical and biomedical sciences and highly transferable skills on our MPAS Physician Associate Studies programme.

Following the recent Leng Review, we welcome the clear direction it provides in strengthening and supporting the future of the Physician Associate (PA) profession. Working closely with our partners at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we remain committed to this evolving role and will continue to contribute actively at both local and national level as recommendations are implemented. We will keep current and prospective students informed as further guidance is issued by the General Medical Council (GMC) and the UK Government.

Our MPAS Physician Associate Studies programme is designed to prepare you for practice as a Physician Associate, while also developing a strong foundation in clinical and biomedical sciences. This four-year programme equips you with highly flexible, transferable skills that enable you to adapt confidently within a changing healthcare landscape. Graduates are well positioned not only for PA roles within the NHS, but also for a broad range of careers across healthcare, research, and further professional study.

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

industry-focused training. Designed in partnership with our local NHS partners to respond to career needs within the NHS, our course offers you the most relevant, practice-oriented learning.
teaching from medical and academic experts. You will be taught by experienced NHS staff and academics whose research prevents disease, improves diagnoses, develops new therapies and advances clinical practice and patient care.
extensive clinical and experiential learning. Through a wide range of placements in both primary and secondary care settings, you will gain substantial hands-on experience, building confidence and capability across diverse healthcare environments.

The Physician Associate role

Physician Associates are healthcare professionals trained in a holistic, patient-centred clinical approach. Working as part of multidisciplinary teams and under the supervision of doctors, they support the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients across hospitals, GP practices, and other healthcare settings.

This programme is approved by the General Medical Council (GMC), ensuring it meets national standards for PA education and supports the continued development of the profession.

Learning structure of the MPAS Physician Associate Studies

Years 1 and 2 will equip you with core medical science knowledge and skills. This will begin with a strong biological science focus and develop into applied and integrated topics that fully prepare you for your clinical training years (years 3 and 4).

In these first two years, you will:

learn in our excellent clinical training facilities
engage in placement shadowing experiences within different healthcare environments
develop professional skills, reflective practice, problem-solving and communication skills
experience interactive teaching styles that help you embed your science knowledge in real-world examples.

In years 3 and 4, you'll develop your clinical knowledge and skills. The course includes extensive placement experience (approximately 1,600 hours) and in-house simulated clinical training. This ensures that you will be a confident practitioner on graduation.

These final two years align closely to the MSc Physician Associate course and consist of 45 weeks of training each year.

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. During your third year, you will undertake longer periods of placement in secondary healthcare settings. In your final year this will increase so that you are on placement four to five days most weeks, rotating around multiple healthcare settings to ensure that you are well prepared to practise anywhere as a physician associate upon qualification.

The responsibility for education, training and professional standards for physician associates sits with the General Medical Council (GMC). Graduates who pass the Reading MSc programme must then pass the Physician Associate Registration Assessment (PARA) and will then be able to register with the GMC.

Overview

Develop a strong foundation in clinical and biomedical sciences and highly transferable skills on our MPAS Physician Associate Studies programme.

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

industry-focused training. Designed in partnership with our local NHS partners to respond to career needs within the NHS, our course offers you the most relevant, practice-oriented learning.
teaching from medical and academic experts. You will be taught by experienced NHS staff and academics whose research prevents disease, improves diagnoses, develops new therapies and advances clinical practice and patient care.
extensive clinical and experiential learning. Through a wide range of placements in both primary and secondary care settings, you will gain substantial hands-on experience, building confidence and capability across diverse healthcare environments.

The Physician Associate role

This programme is approved by the General Medical Council (GMC), ensuring it meets national standards for PA education and supports the continued development of the profession.

Learning

Learning structure of the MPAS Physician Associate Studies

In these first two years, you will:

learn in our excellent clinical training facilities
engage in placement shadowing experiences within different healthcare environments
develop professional skills, reflective practice, problem-solving and communication skills
experience interactive teaching styles that help you embed your science knowledge in real-world examples.

These final two years align closely to the MSc Physician Associate course and consist of 45 weeks of training each year.

Real-world experience and training

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

Entry requirements A Level ABB including Biology and Chemistry

Writing your personal statement

We recognise that you may be applying to multiple courses using the same UCAS form. UCAS provides guidance on writing a personal statement that works for multiple courses.

If you'd prefer to focus your personal statement on your other course choices, please send us a short additional supporting statement outlining your motivation for studying the MPAS. Please email this to ugadmissions@reading.ac.uk with your personal ID number, and we’ll add this to your record for consideration when reviewing your application.

Typical offers

Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.

ABB including Biology and Chemistry

GCSE

Mathematics B (5)

International Baccalaureate

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

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDD. Applicants taking the Applied Science (2016) course must be taking 2 Chemistry units and 2 Biology units from the following list:

Chemistry units:

Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways (10)
Applications of Inorganic Chemistry (13)
Applications of Organic Chemistry (14)
Industrial Chemical Reactions (18)
Practical Chemical Analysis (19)
Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis (23)

Biology units:

Physiology of Human Body Systems (8)
Human Regulation and Reproduction (9)
Genetics and Genetic Engineering (11)
Diseases and Infections (12)
Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques (17)
Biomedical Science (20)

Additional requirements

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

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.

Background check

Candidates from the UK will need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, arranged by the University. All non-UK candidates need to provide a certificate of no criminal convictions or letter of good standing – provided by their own country before entering the UK.

Candidates must also complete an occupational health questionnaire, provided by the University, and complete a declaration of health. Evidence is required of up-to-date vaccinations, including MMR, varicella (chicken pox) and tuberculosis.

While the University does not charge candidates for processing these checks, you will be required to pay the Disclosure and Barring Service for their DBS check and there may be a charge for any vaccinations or blood tests required.

Declaration of Health

The University of Reading MPAS programme involves working closely with both patients and members of the public. To go on the compulsory placements, and to protect you and the patients/public during your course, you must meet specified occupational health requirements.

Find out more about the declaration of health

International Foundation Pathway

If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme (IFP).

International Foundation Programme – September entry

Successful completion of the International Foundation Programme, along with any other relevant degree entry requirements, guarantees you the opportunity of a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Learn more about our International Foundation Pathways

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

Compulsory modules

Professional Skills 1

Address key questions related to your future career. You’ll develop and refine the skills required of a healthcare professional such as communication, reflection, numeracy, statistics, and sourcing and interpreting scientific literature.

Human Pathology

Gain solid theoretical and practical knowledge, and essential skills to understand the role of pathology in human disease diagnosis in biomedical research, or healthcare.

Fundamentals of Cell Biology

Expand your knowledge of human physiology to understand the normal function of the human body. You’ll cover the structure of mammalian cells and cellular functions which are often targeted therapeutically and biochemical pathways that underpin these processes.

Principles of Drug Action

Discover the effects of drugs on the human body and how to effectively explain drug action to different audiences. You'll explore how drugs are discovered, designed, developed, and delivered.

Introduction to Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology

Explore how organs work to support life. You will be introduced to the basics of the anatomy of some of the major systems of the human body, and to the physiological processes taking part within and between them.

Fundamentals of Microbiology

Gain a foundation in microbiology, covering the biology, diversity, structure, genetics, ecology, and evolution of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. You’ll discover their impact on environment and society, and how they cause infections or develop antimicrobial resistance, while exploring different methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

These are the modules we currently offer for 2026/27 entry. They may be subject to change as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they're informed by the latest teaching and research methods.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Professional Skills 2

Putting your learning into practice, you’ll complete placements in hospital and simulated environments, learning from healthcare professionals to develop reflective practice, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Medicines in Healthcare

Understand how science is used to create and administer medicines in the gastrointestinal tract. Using an integrated learning approach, you’ll research specific health conditions and consider holistic care requirements for a patient.

Nutritional Epidemiology and Public Health

Learn to develop nutrition public health policy from data collection and how to use behaviour change theory to develop public health interventions. You’ll learn about the factors that affect diet and nutritional needs, intake and practices, and conduct data analysis on a dietary dataset to recommend a public health intervention.

Haematology and Immunology

Discover the fundamental principles and concepts that underpin haematology and immunology. You’ll explore topics such as the production, structure and function of blood cells, the techniques used within hospital haematology laboratories to investigate and diagnose disease, the main forms of immunopathology, and how vaccines are produced.

Integrated Anatomy and Physiology

This module will further explore the complex and fascinating systems of the human body, focusing on the endocrine system, skin, reproduction, ear, nose, and throat. We will use a systems-based approach where you will explore the functional requirements that drive the structure of the whole body and its functional capabilities. We will emphasise on the clinical relevance of the topics covered and their importance in understanding and diagnosing various medical conditions.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Clinical Knowledge Core Systems

Gain the skills required for continuing professional development by exercising personal responsibility and decision-making on clinical placement.

Clinical Skills 1

Placement experience is combined with classroom discussion to reflect on your experience. This will support you in exercising personal responsibility, decision-making and continuing professional development.

Medical Research and Enquiry

Develop research skills and methods for clinical practice. You’ll understand how to conduct independent, defined research tasks using spreadsheets to capture information and how statistical approaches are used to sample and collect data.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Compulsory modules

Clinical Skills 2

Complete clinical placements in general practice and secondary care to integrate your academic learning with practice. Exercising initiative and personal responsibility, you’ll make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.

Please note that the University cannot guarantee that all optional modules will be available to all students who may wish to take them.

You can also register your details with us to receive information about your course of interest and study and life at the University of Reading.

Fees

New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The home tuition fee for 2027 entry is £10,050. The home tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study.

New international students: £31,800 for 2027/28. The international tuition fee is subject to annual increases in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.

Tuition fees

To find out more about how the University of Reading sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.

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.

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

Our innovative Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship is focused on creating a community of future leaders. We’re awarding up to 400 scholarships per year to high-achieving students from the UK and overseas who are passionate about environmental sustainability.

Each scholar receives £6,000 a year (towards living costs), for up to four years, plus a tailored development scheme. The scheme provides opportunities to develop knowledge and leadership skills relevant to addressing climate and nature issues, and to engage in cross-disciplinary learning and action. Terms and conditions apply.

Find out more about the Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship scheme.

Careers

This programme is designed to prepare you for practice as a Physician Associate, while also developing a strong foundation in clinical and biomedical sciences. The programme equips you with highly flexible, transferable skills that enable you to adapt confidently within a changing healthcare landscape. Graduates are well positioned not only for PA roles within the NHS, but also for a broad range of careers across healthcare, research, and further professional study.

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.

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

At the University of Reading, we help you turn your environmental and sustainability values into opportunities that make a difference to your career and the wider world.

Employers are already reshaping their businesses to respond to climate change, and they increasingly value graduates with expertise in environmental stewardship – one of the fastest-growing skill areas (World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025).

During your time at Reading, you’ll have access to a wide range of opportunities and support. This will help you graduate with the knowledge and confidence to tackle environmental and sustainability challenges in your career.

In 2025, the University of Reading won the AGCAS Green Careers Award. Judges highlighted the impact of our Careers service and the positive outcomes our students achieve.

Explore climate and sustainability initiatives you can get involved with as a student at Reading.

MPAS Physician Associate Studies

The Physician Associate role

Learning structure of the MPAS Physician Associate Studies

Real-world experience and training

Tuition fees

Additional costs

Financial support for your studies

Become a Global Sustainability Leaders Scholar

Build the skills to succeed in your career – and contribute to a sustainable future

Ready for more?