Physician Associate Studies (Taught)

Taught in a thriving medical school, our MSc in Physician Associate Studies delivers a modern and dynamic curriculum which ensures that you are equipped with the skills, attitudes and knowledge required to become a valued and key member of the clinical team. This highly regarded Physician Associate programme has been designed to train a new generation of healthcare professionals to support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. Physician Associates (PA) are trained to perform a number of roles including taking medical histories, performing examinations, diagnosing illnesses, analysing test results and developing management plans.

This is a two-year full time programme requiring ninety weeks of study and combines the theoretical and scientific basis of medicine with clinical experience. The programme leads to the award of MSc in Physician Associate Studies. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are eligible to sit the national examination which entitles entry onto the national register and practise as a PA in the UK.

Please note that the deadline for applications is 1st September each year for studies commencing the following January.

Please note that the PA national exam is not include as part of the MSc Physician Associate Studies course fee. This means that upon successful completion of the course, graduates are liable for fees and associated costs of sitting the exam. Further information can be found on the Faculty of Physician Associates website.

The updated curriculum for Physician Associate student education, from the Faculty of Physician Associates, is mapped to the University of Aberdeen MSc Physician Associate Studies curriculum. With statutory regulation of the PA profession by the General Medical Council, our team are working with the GMC as part of the quality assurance of PA student education.

During year 1 there is an emphasis on communication and clinical skills whilst learning about the scientific basis of medicine. As the course progresses towards the end of the first year and through the second year there are a series of clinical rotations through specialities such as general surgery, emergency medicine, reproductive health and paediatrics, where students learn about common disease presentation whilst dealing with real patients.

During these rotations, students will benefit from bedside teaching, seminars and tutorials whilst working alongside a variety of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals consolidating knowledge and developing their skills.

Assessment is continuous ensuring that basic skills are mastered before moving on to more advanced topics. Summative written and clinical assessments are usually at the end of a year.