MSc Physician Associate

Course Overview

Working in the healthcare profession can be both inspiring and rewarding. A career as a Physician Associate (PA) will mean that you will support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. This might be in a hospital or a GP surgery. You will be part of a growing profession in the NHS where vacancies currently exceed the supply of skilled professionals.

Our experienced lecturers will prepare you with all the skills you need to provide care and treatment to patients. You will learn to carry out a range of medical activities such as physical examinations, medical histories, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. By the time you complete the course, you will have learnt how to request and interpret test results, diagnose illness and develop treatment and management plans. All vital skills that will enable you to become an effective Physician Associate.

Course Details

The MSc Physician Associate programme, is in alignment to Physician Associate Curriculum Framework to ensure that the graduates succeed in the National Examination and work as physician associates in healthcare. A range of learning and teaching methods are utilised. You will learn through:

• Lectures, Seminar
• Workshop
• Group work
• Tutored classroom sessions
• Independent learning through individual learning plans
• Case studies (skills and simulations)
• Presentation
• Problem-based learning

You will be assessed using a variety of methods such as single based answer (SBA), OSCE and Case study.

Work placement

The programme has a strong employability focus to enable you to become an effective Physician Associate. Bucks New University has a number of well-established partnerships with health organisations to enhance your experience and promote practice based learning.

Therefore you will be equipped with the experience and expertise that will give you an excellent start to your career as a Physician Associate. Upon graduation you can progress to work as a Physician Associate in a range of clinical environments in Primary and Secondary care.

Career Prospects

Physician Associates work in a variety of clinical settings and specialties including GP surgeries, hospital inpatient wards, and A & E departments. Your varied clinical placements will prepare you for the working world and give you great employment opportunities after graduation. During placements, you will have the opportunity to work in the following areas: Accident and Emergency, General Practice, Mental Health and other clinical departments. The relationships you will make on your placements can sometimes lead to the offer of permanent employment on completion of your MSc.