Physician Associate Studies

Course description

Physician Associates (PAs) are health professionals who address patients’ health needs while working under the supervision of doctors. Qualified PAs have direct contact with patients by taking histories, performing examinations, making diagnoses and considering management plans as part of the wider clinical team.

This course is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and experience to qualify as a PA through completion of the Physician Associate National Examination. It is aimed at graduates who are passionate about working in a frontline clinical environment as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Your training will give you a solid foundation in generalist medical care so that you can deliver ‘first contact’ health care in multiple health settings including general practice and secondary care trusts.

The course has an integrated, systems-based approach that places the patient at the centre. The first stage is mainly based on the University of Sheffield campus. In the second stage, you will apply your knowledge and skills to placements in our partner hospitals and GP surgeries.

The University of Sheffield works closely with local acute trusts (hospitals, mental health) and primary care providers (General Practice) so that our graduates are equipped to meet the needs of potential employers and the public as a whole. Our course team has a majority of practising Physician Associates as leads and tutors and has an excellent rate of students passing the Physician Associate National Examination.

Professional bodies

Physician Associate is a relatively new role in UK healthcare. PAs are supported by the Faculty of Physician Associates (part of the Royal College of Physicians) as it works toward the profession becoming registered with the General Medical Council. At present, a UK Physician Associate qualification does not automatically allow you to work as a PA in other countries.

Duration

2 years full-time

Assessment

You will be assessed through written assessments, multiple-choice tests, clinical examinations and workplace-based assessments. 

To practise in the UK, Physician Associates are required to pass the PA National Examination. This exam is not included as part of this programme and you will be required to cover the costs of taking it. However, the final exam on the MMedSci will mirror the PA National Examination, so that you are well prepared to take it.

Your career

After successfully completing your course and passing the Physician Associate National Examination, you will be able to apply for a variety of Physician Associate roles.

Our graduates have gone on to work in GP surgeries, acute hospital trust departments such as A&E and respiratory medicine, as well as mental health trusts.

There is more information about becoming a Physician Associate on the Royal College of Physicians website.

Student profiles

Jill Malbon, Physician Associate Studies

Jill Malbon PgDip Physician Associate Studies

“I think because it is a small cohort you get to know your year group and I met some really lovely people on the course” explains Jill.

Entry requirements

You'll require at least a 2:1 undergraduate honours degree including a substantial element of human or animal biology. In addition you will require BBB at A-level (or equivalent appropriate qualification).

Overall IELTS score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component, or equivalent.