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    MMedSci
    2025 start September 

    Physician Associate Studies

    School of Medicine and Population Health, Faculty of Health

    Get the knowledge and skills to support doctors in all aspects of health care, in general practices or hospitals. We place the patient at the centre of care and help you develop your skills as a rounded clinician.
    MMedSci Physician Associate Studies

    Course description

    Physician Associates (PAs) are health professionals who address patients鈥 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 鈥榝irst contact鈥 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 91探花 campus. In the second stage, you will apply your knowledge and skills to placements in our partner hospitals and GP surgeries.

    91探花 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 (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.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.

    Book a space on our next open day on Wednesday 27 November

    Duration

    2 years full-time

    Teaching

    Our teaching is designed around the 2023 Physician Associate National Curriculum. We will also go into more detail in key areas to support your development as an all-around clinician. You will learn through lectures, small group teaching and practical sessions.

    You will have contact with patients throughout the course both through our Patients as Educators programme, where you will hear first-hand from patients about their experience, and on placements in GP practices and local hospitals. Clinical skills will be developed in simulation and then in practice, to support both your academic and practical skills progression.

    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 website.

    Student profiles

    Jill Mabon PGT Student

    Jill Malbon, Physician Associate Studies

    Jill Malbon Physician Associate Studies graduate

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

    A photo showing a doctor writing on a clipboard

    I chose to study in 91探花 due to the superb reputation of the Medical School

    Emma Bunting Physician Associate Studies graduate

    Emma was amongst the first cohort of students to qualify as a Physician Associate from the University of 91探花. She now works across medical services.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

    Subject requirement

    We accept degrees in any subject including a substantial element of human or animal biology.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant鈥檚 preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don鈥檛 meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren鈥檛 listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 7.5 (with 7 in each component) or University equivalent.

    Other English language qualifications we accept

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    NHS Grant

    Students studying on the MMedSci Physician Associate Studies course may be eligible to receive a grant of 拢5,000 (拢2,500 per year) from the NHS.

    You do not need to apply for this grant. Once you have registered on the course, the department will confirm your attendance and process your grant. 

    For further information about the grant, contact the department via aume-pgt-enquiries@sheffield.ac.uk.

    Funding for postgraduate taught courses

    Alumni discount

    Save up to 拢2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a 91探花 graduate? You could save up to 拢2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply

    Applications for 2025 entry are open.

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .