Physician Associate Studies

Please note that the MPAS (Hons) Physician Associate Studies is an undergraduate Integrated Masters and therefore lasts four years (whereas traditional undergraduate degrees last three years). Also, the final two years are not traditional university semesters – rather, they involve a 46-week teaching programme with six weeks of holidays a year only.

Whilst there is much traditional teaching as would be expected at university, the teaching and learning strategy is more than just this. You will have access to state-of-the-art Human Anatomy Resource Centres with a virtual dissection table (anatomage) and to modern clinical skills areas; simulation, typical ward environments, single consultation rooms, paediatric facilities, operating department areas.

Regular cases help to frame each sub-module area of learning, eg respiratory focus, or neurological. Whilst developing teamwork and leadership skills through these sessions, you are directed to focus your learning in a thoughtful and intelligent manner.

The assessment strategy for the programme is varied and includes examinations (eg single-best answer multiple-choice questions and short answer questions), written assignments and clinical examinations (eg objective structured clinical examinations and direct observed procedural skills) as examples of our different approaches.

The NHS, teaching with excellence, and provision of clinical placements, ensures rich and fulfilling relationships across the sectors from the full geographical area. These relationships can facilitate clinical practitioners from the NHS coming into the classroom to help deliver frontline, up to date health care materials, which is essential in training future Physician Associates, enabling them to enter straight into work on successful graduation.

Our programme teaches the fundamentals of medical sciences in interactive small groups practical sessions and lectures. These are supported by case-based learning, providing an opportunity for you to consolidate and contextualise your knowledge. From the start of the course clinical and communication skills are taught using our state-of-the-art facilities, volunteer patients and simulated role players.

During the first two years of the programme, you will be learning alongside students who are enrolled onto the MBBS programme. The final two years will employ a spiral curriculum principle to enable continuation of developing confident and competent students to begin their career in the healthcare arena.

Outside of the classroom environment, the provision of clinical placements includes a full spectrum of opportunities: urban and rural, specialised hospital and general practice; single-handed or multi-disciplinary. Please be aware that some placements could be during evening and night shifts. Teamwork is an essential quality of being a PA. As a new member of the healthcare team you will be able to influence teamwork, within the support framework of your clinical supervisor, to enhance patient outcomes.

The clinically based placements will help to illustrate how teams work within the NHS. The geographical location of the University is ideal to enable this amazing combination of clinical opportunities, of which we are very proud.