MSc Physician Associate Studies
Page last updated 28 April 2025
Please note that we are unable to guarantee that we can consider any further applications for this course for August 2025 entry.
Introduction
This innovative and practice-focused course offers you the education you need to prepare for Physician Associate practice in the UK. Our course puts you at the centre of a broad, medically-focused experience that is underpinned by the GMC's Good Medical Practice and UK Physician Associate curriculum
Why study this course?
Physician Associates are an invaluable part of the wider multi-professional healthcare team, practising under the supervision of a doctor to provide care for patients.
You'll develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills, learning how to consult with patients; perform physical examinations; and apply clinical acumen to the diagnostic and therapeutic journeys that patients face in contemporary healthcare.
Extensive clinical placement opportunities are integral to the course, giving you the chance to gain experience across a range of settings on your 2-year course.
Why UWE Bristol?
At UWE Bristol, we apply our bespoke Physician Associate values system across the course to ensure you develop a professional and value-based approach to patient care.
Glenside Campus, our specialist healthcare campus, allows you to train alongside other healthcare professionals. You'll benefit from access to state-of-the-art simulation suites, and replica wards and consultation rooms, where skills can be practised in a realistic, controlled clinical environment.
Learn from a dedicated teaching team, comprising healthcare professionals from a range of disciplines, including UK trained and registered Physician Associates.
Where can it take me?
There's a growing demand for Physician Associates across the UK in line with the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan. After successfully completing this course, if you're eligible, you can qualify to sit the Physician Associate Registration Assessment to then register with the General Medical Council as a Physician Associate.
With further training and experience, you may choose to focus on a medical speciality or continue to work in a generalist field, or undertake roles in management, research or teaching.
Personalised virtual tour
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Content
Year one
You'll study:
- Foundations in Clinical Medicine 1 (45 credits) - This module will incorporate anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, applied and diagnostic clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology and therapeutics.
- Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 1 (45 credits) - This module will focus on clinical and consultation skills. It will involve communication skills, physical examination and procedural skills and allow you to develop as a clinician. Your achievement of core clinical competencies and procedural skills will be documented throughout the module and embedded in clinical practice and simulation experiences.
Year two
You'll study:
- Foundations in Clinical Medicine 2 (30 credits) - Building on the learning from Foundations in Clinical Medicine 1, this module will give you a comprehensive understanding of a range of medical specialties.
- Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 2 (45 credits) - Building on the skills of Foundations of Physician Associate Practice 1, this module will focus on developing your skills in specific medical specialities. Your achievement of core clinical competencies and procedural skills will be documented throughout the module and embedded in clinical practice and simulation experiences.
- Progression to Physician Associate Practitioner (15 credits) - Develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary for Physician Associate practice as you head towards employment, including leadership and management and evidence-based practice.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching learning takes an applied and practice-focused approach. We deliver problem based learning skills through regular case-based scenarios and small group sessions. You'll also learn through practical clinical skills labs, simulation and peer-to-peer learning, as well as a range of web-based resources and e-learning.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Study time
This course takes place over two years for 45 weeks a year. Your learning consists of alternating blocks of campus-based teaching and clinical placements.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment types, both summative and formative. You'll undertake unseen examinations, presentations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), as well as building a clinical portfolio of evidence of competencies.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Features
Professional accreditation
On graduation, you'll need to pass the The Faculty of Physicians Associates National Certification Examination before you can practice as a Physician Associate in the UK. Once you have passed the National Examination, you're required to register with the General Medical Council, subject to application.
Placements
Over the two years, your clinical placements will cover a broad range of practice exposure to support your learning and development. These can include general medicine, primary care, emergency department as well as areas such as paediatrics, mental health and surgery and more. Simulation supports your practice experiences, so you build confidence in developing your practice on campus.
Your placements are spread across the Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire areas, and any travel involved will be at your own expense.
Study facilities
While studying at UWE Bristol, you'll have access to an extensive range of teaching and learning resources.
Glenside Campus Library has a huge selection of books, journals and audio-visual materials including access to specialist health and social care packages.
The Inter-professional Simulation Suite provides excellent opportunities for demonstrating and practising your professional competencies.
You'll have access to extensive online learning materials, including your own online portfolio of evidence, Pebble Pad, and the Blackboard platform where you'll find learning materials to support the structured teaching elements of the course.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a personalised virtual tour of the Health Professions facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.
Life
Postgraduate support
Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.
Bristol
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
Sports, societies and activities
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
Health and Wellbeing
We provide support in the way you need it.
Campus and facilities
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Careers
Careers / Further study
UWE Bristol healthcare courses have a strong record of producing students who are successful in gaining relevant work. Because you'll have undertaken placements in the South West, you'll be in a strong position to seek work locally.
Fees
Full Time (Two years)
Indicative Additional Costs
Supplementary fee information
For information about fees and funding for courses please see our fees and funding pages.
For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.
Entry
Entry requirements
You'll have:
- Grade C or above in GCSE English and Mathematics, or equivalent.
- 2:1 Honours Degree in a suitable life-science/health-related subject such as (this list is not exhaustive),
- Life sciences: Anatomy, Biology, Physiology, Human Biology, Neuroscience, Biological Science, Microbiology, Anatomical Science.
- Health sciences: Allied Health Professions (Physiotherapy; Diagnostic Imaging; Radiotherapy; Paramedic Studies; Audiology), Dentistry, Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Optometry, Health Sciences*, Sport and Exercise Sciences.
- Biomedical sciences: Biomedicine/Biomedical Science, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering.
We will consider applications with a 2.2 on an individual basis.
Work Experience
Work experience in a patient-facing healthcare setting is encouraged but not compulsory.
References
You must support your application with two satisfactory references, both dated within the last year. One must be a recent academic reference and the other should be either a second academic reference or a relevant professional/employer reference. Your referees should be able to comment on your suitability to undertake the course. You can send these to us after making the initial application.
Before you start your course, you'll be required to complete:
- an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
- a Health Check.
Read more about professional checks.
Interview
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a 30 minute interview. This will be conducted virtually on Microsoft Teams. Please note that interviews will be running as of January 2025.
Professional registration
If you are a current or past member of a registered professional body, please provide details with your application.
Deferred applications
We do not accept deferred applications, and any places we offer will need to be taken within that year.
International applicants
A UK Physician Associate qualification does not currently entitle graduates to work as Physician Associates outside of the UK.
Please note, the Physician Associate qualification may not currently be recognised in some countries
English Language Requirement
Minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in any section (or equivalent). Please note the University's published list of alternative English Language qualifications.
How to apply
The course is aimed at graduates of a life or health sciences degree with experience of healthcare and patient contact.
We acknowledge that as graduates you add life experience and context to your learning on the Physician Associate course, and the course encourages this mature approach towards creating more rounded professionals.
Read more about postgraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.
This course is not open to applicants previously enrolled on a Physician Associate/Assistant course or individuals wishing to transfer from other Physician Associate/Assistant courses.
For further information
- Email: admissions@uwe.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)117 32 83333
