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Physician Associate Studies

  • PgDip
  • 2 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
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2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

Why study PG Dip Physician Associate Studies at BU?

  • 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

  • The Department of Health is committed to increasing the number of PAs in the NHS, particularly in general practice, so employment is highly likely after graduating

  • Newly built skills facilities include simulated hospital wards and community home settings, allowing you to learn and practise various procedures safely

  • With a blend of theory and practice, you’ll spend a minimum of 1,400 hours in a range of clinical placements such as hospitals, general practice and other community services

  • Assessments will be used to consolidate learning throughout the course and in preparation for the National Examinations for Physician Associates.

The course follows the National Physician Associate Curriculum. It is represented on the National Physician Associate Schools Council and is currently undergoing General Medical Council validation.

For more information about PAs, please see the Faculty of Physician Associate website

Modules

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

  • Introduction to Medicine for the Physician Associate
  • Further Medicine & Emergency Care for the Physician Associate
  • Mental Health & Communication Skills for the Physician Associate
  • Women’s Health & General Surgery for the Physician Associate
  • Child Health for the Physician Associate
  • Primary Care & Chronic Disease Management for the Physician Associate

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • PgDip • Full-time • 2 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
BB95
Institution code:
B50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

Bournemouth University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
BB95
Institution code:
B50
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

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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

Additional entry requirements

Other
Please note Applicants with any fitness to practice concerns recorded on the GMC register cannot be considered for this course as you will be unable to graduate, register and practice as a Physician Associate. At present, graduates of UK Physician Associate Studies programmes are not eligible to work as Physician Associates in other countries.

English language requirements

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.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

Please note that this information reflects historical entry requirements for UK 18-year-olds who pursued A level and BTEC qualifications. Please see the relevant course page of our website for the most up-to-date details on this course’s entry requirements and selection methods. Our offer-making process is based on your potential to succeed on your chosen course and considers a range of factors. This course also has additional selection methods, such as an interview.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Visit Bournemouth University's website for full details.

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