MSc/PG Dip Physician Associate Studies

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This is an intensive two-year clinical course open to applicants with a first-degree in a health or science related subject. This course prepares you to work as a Physician Associate (PA) in the NHS.

PAs are healthcare professionals who work to a medical model alongside doctors in hospitals or GP surgeries. This course will prepare you to take a medical history, examine patients, diagnose common problems, perform procedures, and recommend treatment. For more information about PAs, please see the Faculty of Physician Associate website.

The Department of Health is committed to increasing the number of PAs in the NHS, particularly in general practice. In Dorset there is a real need for additional healthcare staff in all of the acute hospitals and in GP surgeries and it is expected that PAs will be part of the solution to this workforce shortage.

To be eligible for the postgraduate loan and Academic Excellence Scholarship, you must enrol onto the full MSc route.

Key information

Next start date:

January 2021, January 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus

Duration:

PG Dip and MSc: 2 years full-time

Required subjects:

Health or Science subject

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:1 or equivalent in a required subject.

Required subjects: Health or Science related subject, e.g: Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Biological Science, Microbiology, Anatomical Science, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Paramedic Science, Audiology, Nursing, ODP, Optometry, Biomedicine, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry

Applicants holding a 2:2 may be considered on an individual basis provided they have evidence of relevant, recent clinical experience.

If English is not your first language, you will need IELTS (Academic) 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent.

For more information check out our full entry requirements.

Please note that due to Health Education England (HEE) funding, applicants must have UK home status to be eligible to apply for this course.

Course details

Learning Methods & Assessments

The Physician Associate Studies course at BU involve the integration of theory and clinical practice throughout the curriculum. This integration is based upon the key tenet that experience and learning are closely intertwined. Unlike more traditional courses, students gave substantial clinical exposure from the second month of the course. Fundamental examination and assessment skills are learned initially from simulated patients and in the clinical skills laboratory. As the programme progresses, students will continue to develop and learn more complex skills both in the simulation labs and under the supervision of clinical supervisors in 1400 hours of practice placements. Placements will be within three major hospitals across Dorset, general practice and other community services.

The course is underpinned by problem based learning to develop habits of inquiry and innovation that will promote continued knowledge acquisition throughout a lifetime of learning. Repeated formative assessment will be used to consolidate learning throughout the course and in preparation for the National Examinations for Physician Associates. You must sit and complete this exam successfully upon completition of the course in order to start work as a PA.

There will be a key focus on the formation of professional identity throughout the course, underpinned by the four domains of Good Medical Practice (GMC 2013). Team building, peer support, group learning and mentorship will reinforce professionalism and help students to develop resilience. This has been designed to help students prepare themselves for the challenges that working in healthcare demands and to meet the high expectations commanded by the inter-professional team and patients alike.

Year 1

PG Dip and MSc Physician Associate Studies students will take the following units:

Introduction to General Medicine for the Physician Associate: Explore the role of the Physician Associate. Develop skills in taking a medical history and examination and become competent in performing a wide range of core procedural skills. The pathophysiology of common acute and chronic conditions in General Medicine will be explored using cases and clinical consultations.
Emergency Care for the Physician Associate: Learn to diagnose and manage medical and surgical emergencies, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation. You will gain insight into assessing and managing patients with urgent problems and injuries in the Emergency Department, Urgent Care Centres and Out of Hours.
Mental Health for the Physician Associate: Develop skills in taking a psychiatric history, performing a mental state examination and interpreting the findings. You will critically explore common mental health problems and their management using cases and clinical consultations.

Year 2

PG Dip and MSc Physician Associate Studies students will take the following units:

Women’s Health for the Physician Associate: Develop skills in gynaecological and obstetric history and examination. You will critically explore common gynaecological and obstetric problems and their management using cases and clinical consultations.

Paediatrics for the Physician Associate: Learn to assess and examine young people and children of all ages, including babies and infants, and how to recognise the sick child. You will study child development, child safeguarding and common and serious paediatric illnesses.

Primary Care for the Physician Associate: Diagnose and manage unselected patients with any medical problem under the direct supervision of a GP. Develop skills in taking a focused clinical assessment and complex medical decision-making, while learning about the common acute and chronic conditions managed in Primary Care.

On successful completion of the course students will be eligible to sit the National Examination and register on the Physician Associate Managed Voluntary Register or from 2021/22 the General Medical Council Physician Associate Register

MSc Physician Associate Studies students will also take the following units:

Exploring and Evaluating Evidence: Critically appraise research evidence, explore various approaches to enquiry and knowledge production, and consider how different philosophical assumptions shape claims to knowledge.

Critically reviewing practice for the Physician Associate (final project): You will write a final project related to one particular aspect of healthcare. Working in small groups, you will work collaboratively to conduct a comprehensive literature review and undertake a critical evaluation of an area of interest relating to your practice.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Download the programme specification (pdf 433kb)

How to apply

You can apply for a MSc/PG Dip Physician Associate Studies by clicking on the ‘apply now’ button and completing the application form. You will need to create an account and complete the application form in full.

You can save the form as you go, enabling you to return to it at as many times as you want before submitting. The form is split into tabbed sections. As you complete each of the tabbed sections they will turn green; only click submit once all of your tabs are highlighted green.

How to apply

Background and experience

Selection Methods

How and when to apply

To ensure you are considered for this course's January 2021 start please submit your application by Friday the 11th December 2020.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:1, or equivalent, in a required subject.

Applicants holding a 2:2 may be considered on an individual basis provided they have evidence of relevant, recent clinical experience.

Required subjects: Health or Science related subject, e.g: Biology, Physiology, Neuroscience, Biological Science, Microbiology, Anatomical Science, Physiotherapy, Diagnostic Imaging, Radiotherapy, Paramedic Science, Audiology, Nursing, ODP, Optometry, Biomedicine, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry

Excluded subjects: Health & Social Care*, Health Sciences*

*unless adequate levels of biology have been covered in these degrees

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Please note: due to Health Education England (HEE) funding, applicants must have UK home status to be eligible to apply for this course.

If English is not your first language, you will need IELTS (Academic) 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent.

Costs and fees

To be eligible for the postgraduate loan and Academic Scholarship you must enroll onto the full MSc route. PG Dip route do not currently qualify for the loan and scholarship.

Health Education England has agreed a single, national funding model for Physician Associates. Both MSc and PG Dip students will receive a training grant of £5000. This payment will be made at £2500 per annum, paid via Bournemouth University. The training grant can be used against course fees, placement travel, or similar costs incurred during the programme.

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Occupational Health Services and checks. Please note that you will be charged if you do not attend Occupational Health appointments without giving appropriate notice.
One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick.
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity.
A stethoscope.
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme.
Disability and additional learning support.
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Cost of living and other expenses you may need to consider

Additional costs
We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Students are required to attend at least 1400 hours of compulsory clinical placements. Students will need to pay for travel to these placements, which may be anywhere in Dorset, including West Dorset. Every effort will be made to minimise travel distances for students but due to the availability of clinical placements, travelling to placements is mandatory. Applicants should refer to the internet for current costs on travelling from Bournemouth to other Dorset Trusts.
After completion of the course, students will need to sit the Physician Associate National Certification Examination before being able to work as a Physician Associate in the NHS. Students need to cover the examination and certification fee of £550, along with any travel and/or accommodation costs. For more information see www.fparcp.co.uk/examinations
You may choose to take a revision course for the National Examination: these are not compulsory and are not part of the Bournemouth University Physician Associate Studies curriculum. You will need to meet the costs of the revision course yourself; prices for these range from £220-£550 according to the provider.
Optional fieldwork travel, outdoor wear and footwear (where applicable).
Text books, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website.

Repeat units

Your staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Professor Chantal Simon

Chantal is a working GP at The Banks and Bearwood Medical Practices in Bournemouth and a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. She has formal academic training with an MSc from Southampton University in Research in Health and a PhD exploring the effects of community support on the psychological health of informal carers.

View Professor Chantal Simon's staff profile

Petra Brown

What our students and graduates think

Alexander Marc Smith-Vidal, Physician Associate Student

Physician Associate Studies is a fantastic opportunity for graduates to become healthcare professionals, helping to diagnose and treat patients. Early clinical exposure is what makes this course so unique and allows students to maximise their learning.

Sushila Roka, Physician Associate student

I have always envisioned myself to be a part of the NHS to help contribute towards the society and people in need. The role of Physician Associate allows me to achieve this as I will work as a healthcare professional to help diagnose and manage patients.

MSc/PG Dip Physician Associate Studies

Confirm application

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

Scholarships

Planning your future

Course details

Learning Methods & Assessments

Year 1

Year 2

Programme specification

How to apply

Background and experience

Selection Methods

How and when to apply

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Cost of living and other expenses you may need to consider

Repeat units

Your staff

Professor Chantal Simon

Petra Brown

What our students and graduates think

Alexander Marc Smith-Vidal, Physician Associate Student

Sushila Roka, Physician Associate student

MSc/PG Dip Physician Associate Studies

Course search

Search form

Confirm application

Key information

Next start date:

Location:

Duration:

Required subjects:

Entry requirements:

Scholarships

Related courses

Planning your future

Course details

Learning Methods & Assessments

Year 1

Year 2

Programme specification

How to apply

Background and experience

Selection Methods

How and when to apply

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Costs and fees

No hidden extras

Cost of living and other expenses you may need to consider

Repeat units

Your staff

Professor Chantal Simon

Petra Brown

What our students and graduates think

Alexander Marc Smith-Vidal, Physician Associate Student

Sushila Roka, Physician Associate student