Physician Associate MSc
Brunel University
Key Course Facts
Course Description
Do you have a scientific background, and would you like to work with patients?
Working in the healthcare profession can be inspiring and rewarding. A career as a Physician Associate (PA) will mean that you’ll support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. This might be in a hospital or a GP surgery. You’ll 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’ll learn to carry out a range of medical activities such as physical examinations, medical histories, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. You’ll also learn how to request and interpret test results, diagnose illness and develop treatment and management plans.
At Brunel, we have great links with some of the most highly-regarded health providers in London, so you’ll add exceptional work experience to your CV. Your Physician Associate qualification includes over 1,800 hours of professional practice, so you’ll be equipped with the experience and expertise to give you an excellent start to your career as a Physician Associate.
Health Education England, has launched a national funding strategy for all Physician Associate courses in England. For September 2020 entry, students will receive a training grant of £5,000 per student, per programme via their university; it's not expected that they will be required to make an application for this allowance. Payments are to be made via two instalments of £2,500 per annum, subject to receipt of allocated places to Brunel, from Health Education England. (Find out more: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/medical-associate-professions)
Successful completion of the Physician Associate MSc programme provides eligibility to sit for the Physician Associate National Examination and join the Managed Voluntary Register, until regulation by the General Medical Council (GMC) comes into effect. Please note, the Physician Associate qualification may not currently be recognised in some countries e.g. USA.
The NHS Values are shaped by patients, public and staff have helped develop this expression of values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. Individual organisations will develop and build upon these values, tailoring them to their local needs. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS. (Find out more: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/working-health/working-nhs/nhs-constitution)
If you are considering studying the Physician Associate MSc Programme at Brunel then you're committed to working jointly with the NHS to demonstrate the values and beliefs of the constitution.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
English language requirements
| test | Grade | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | with no less than 7 in each subsection |
| Institution's Own Test | with no less than 70% in each subsection | |
| PTE Academic | 73 | with no less than 64 in each subsection |
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still be able to join Physician Associate, MSc.
*Undergraduate degree* A UK first or 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in a Life or Health Sciences subject area (i.e. Anatomy, Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Medical Engineering, Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Paramedic Pharmacy, Physiology). Applicants who hold a UK (2:2) Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, with relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis. *Postgraduate degree* We also accept applicants who have a Master's degree graded Merit or above in a Life or Health Sciences related subject All applicants must have a minimum of GCSE English grade 4/C or above or equivalent qualification. *Personal statements* Two personal statements of no more than 500 words each are required for both of the following statements: Describe your motivation to become a physician associate detailing your experience, qualifications, and personal qualities as they pertain to becoming a member of the profession. Discuss how the physician associate role might fit into the UK healthcare system. *References* One satisfactory reference is required to support your application dated within the last year. The reference must be academic reference if studied in the last 3 years. Your referee should know you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. We do not accept references from family, friends, partners, ex-partners or yourself. *Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an invite to a Selection Day or a place on the programme.* *How to apply* You can apply online at brunel.ac.uk/msc-pa. The application deadline is in July. All short-listed applicants will be required to attend a Selection Day. These will be held in March, late May and early June. *Health screening* Successful applicants will have a satisfactory health clearance and are required to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations such as hepatitis B, MMR, TB, chicken pox, tetanus and polio (please note, this list may be updated). *Disclosure and Barring Service* Successful applicants are required to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (formerly a Criminal Records Bureau check). *Professional registration* If you are a current healthcare professional or a member of a registered professional body, we ask that you provide details of your registration.
Costs
Tuition Fees Physician Associate MSc
| EU | £10200 | year 1 |
|---|---|---|
| England UK | £10200 | year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £10200 | year 1 |
| Scotland | £10200 | year 1 |
| Wales | £10200 | year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £10200 | year 1 |
| International | £19855 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Average student cost of living in the UK
| Rent | £518 |
| Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
| Supermarket shopping | £81 |
| Clothing | £35 |
| Eating out | £33 |
| Alcohol | £27 |
| Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
| Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
| Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
| Transport within city | £17 |
| Self-care / sports | £20 |
| Stationary / books | £13 |
| Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
| Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
| Insurance | £51 |
| Other | £95 |
| Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
Positions of Brunel University in top UK and global rankings.
See all university rankings of Brunel University
What students say about studying Physician Associate Studies in the UK?
About Brunel University
Established in 1957, Brunel University is located in the large town of Uxbridge, in suburban London. Thanks to its location, Brunel University has numerous public transport connections to London, which students make use of for expanding their options when it comes to work experience placements. The admission rate is lower than in many universities, so applicants should prepare their personal statements and interviews well when applying to enrol here.
Where is this programme taught
Show on map
Similar courses
| Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) |  UCAS Tariff |
City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate) MSc (PG) | University of Bolton | - | - | - | £18000 | £36000 | - | Bolton | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies (MPAS) MPAS | University of Reading | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £23700 | 160 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies MSc | Brighton and Sussex Medical School | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £18500 | 160 | Brighton | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies MSc | Hull York Medical School | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9250 | £23300 | 160 | Heslington | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate Entry) MMedSci | The University of Sheffield | 86% | 0% | 5% | £10800 | £26200 | 160 | Sheffield | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Physician Associate MSc | Brunel University | 86% | 0% | 5% | £10200 | £19855 | 160 | Uxbridge | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate) PgDip | University of Birmingham | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9810 | £17160 | 160 | Birmingham | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate MSc | Buckinghamshire New University | 86% | 0% | 5% | £10000 | £16000 | 160 | High Wycombe | On campus Full-time | |
|
|
Physician Associate MSc | University of Reading | 86% | 0% | 5% | £10550 | £22850 | 160 | Reading | On campus Full-time | |
|
Physician Associate Studies PgDip | The University of Manchester | 86% | 0% | 5% | £9000 | £20000 | 160 | Manchester | On campus Full-time |