MSc Physician Associate Studies

You should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a science or health related subject. Within your degree you must be able to evidence studying some bioscience or anatomy content. You should also have GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).

Previous experience of working in healthcare is desirable but not essential.

An interview forms part of the selection process. Interviews for September 2022 entry will take place virtually via Microsoft Teams.

If you accept an offer from Edge Hill you will need to submit a Declaration of Health in respect of physical and mental fitness and will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced Disclosure indicating that you meet the mandatory criteria of ‘Clearance to Work with Children and/or Vulnerable Adults’. Further information will be sent to you after you have firmly accepted an offer.

To be employed as a physician associate, graduates must take the national exam set by the set by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). You can find out more information on the RCP website.

Once you’ve passed the exam, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the GMC. You are required to have registration before you can work as a PA.

After registration, you can go on to work as a physician associate, within an appropriate clinical area.

Our MSc Physician Associate Studies covers five central themes that are vital to this field.

The five central themes are:

Evidence-based medicine – analyse different research strategies and methodologies for conducting research. You’ll learn how to carry out a literature review, and study the planning, implementation and reporting of research activity.
Professional behaviours and capabilities – focus on the professional identity, ethics and values essential for the job. You’ll cover a range of subjects, including role development, teamwork, leadership, protected characteristics, and supporting vulnerable groups.
Clinical sciences – explore the underpinning scientific theory for the presentation of common diseases. You’ll look at the bioscience behind investigative techniques and management principles, including anatomy, physiology, immunology and pharmacology.
Clinical care – discover day-to-day aspects of contemporary clinical practice. From managing clinical data to human factors in clinical decision-making. Diagnostic errors and patient safety to clinical governance, public health and critical reflection.
Preparation for practice – comprehensive first-hand experience of clinical history taking and examination will prepare you for delivering care and treatment. You’ll learn how to conduct and interpret a differential diagnosis, prescribe medication, and action patient management plans. We’ll also hone your decision-making, communication and record keeping skills.
You’ll continue to build on these foundations throughout with critical clinical application and practice. Increasingly complex medical conditions and different areas of specialty are introduced to put the role in its multidisciplinary context.