Physician Associate Studies

Program Overview

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Overview

The MSc in Physician Associate Studies is a two-year full-time programme that trains a new generation of healthcare professionals to support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients.

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MSc
• Duration: 24 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: January
• Location of Study: Aberdeen

Study Information

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.

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Programme runs from January to August
• Compulsory Courses:
  • Medical Science 1 (ME5519)
  • Advanced Clinical Method 1 (ME5520)
  • Anatomy 1 (ME5521)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD5006)

Year 2

• Programme runs from September to August
• 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.
• Compulsory Courses:
  • Medical Sciences 2 (ME5019)
  • Advanced Clinical Method 2 (ME5020)
  • Anatomy 2 (ME5021)
  • Clinical Placement 1 (ME54C1)
  • Clinical Placement 2 (ME57C2)
  • Clinical Placement 3 (ME57C3)
  • Clinical Placement 4 (ME57C4)
  • Clinical Placement 5 (ME58C5)
  • Clinical Placement 6 (ME59C6)
  • Clinical Placement 7 (ME59C7)
  • Clinical Placement 8 (ME59C8)

Year 3

• Programme runs from September to December
• Compulsory Courses:
  • Clinical Placement 9 (ME50C9)
  • Clinical Placement 10 (ME50C0)
  • Clinical Placement 11 (ME541C)
  • Clinical Assessment OSCE (ME5400)
  • Transitions to Practice (Written) (ME5401)
  • E-portfolio Reflection in Practice (ME5402)

Fee Information

• EU / International students: £23,000
• UK: £11,900

Please note that the PA national exam is not included as part of the MSc Physician Associate Studies course fee.

Funding Opportunities

• The University of Aberdeen is pleased to offer a 20% discount on postgraduate tuition fees for all alumni who have graduated with a degree from the University of Aberdeen.
• All eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Masters students starting in September 2025 will receive an £8,000 scholarship.

How You'll Study

• 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.

Learning Methods

• Clinical Learning
• E-learning
• Group Projects
• Lectures
• Peer Learning
• Professional Placements
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

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

Why Study Physician Associate Studies?

• Taught in a thriving medical school, that is co-located on one of the largest clinical sites in Europe with superb teaching and extensive facilities.
• The Physician Associate programme at Aberdeen is the second longest running in the UK, and we are currently the only University in Scotland to offer this exciting programme.
• On our established programme you will benefit from a modern, dynamic and clearly delivered curriculum using a systems-based, integrated approach.
• The MSc aims to produce professionals who have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to function as Physician Associates and the personal and intellectual attributes necessary for lifelong professional development.

Entry Requirements

• A personal statement and two references must be submitted with each application.
• One of these should provide an academic reference and the other should be able to comment on your suitability to enter the healthcare profession.
• Applicants from the USA should be aware that the UK PA qualification is not verified or recognised in the USA.
• Please note that the deadline for applications is 1st September each year for studies commencing the following January.

Qualifications

• 1st class or 2:1 honours degree in a health related medical science.
• Higher/A level Chemistry at grade C or above
• Nat 5/GCSE grades B or above in English and Mathematics

Careers

Physician Associates are a rapidly growing group of graduate professionals in the UK. Whilst not doctors, they work to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the medical team under defined levels of supervision.

Accreditation

In 2019 the Department of Health and Social Care alongside the four UK governments asked the GMC to regulate the Physician Associate profession.

Facilities

• The Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning in Healthcare is a purpose-built facility providing excellent teaching and training facilities.
• The Foresterhill Health Campus is one of the largest clinical complexes in Europe which includes the Medical School, large teaching hospital, the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Rowett Institute.
• A dedicated Medical Library on the Foresterhill Health Campus and the fantastic facilities in the Sir Duncan Rice Library at King’s College, are complemented by online access to the key medical and health sciences journals and textbooks.

Program Outline

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Physician Associate Studies, MSc: A Detailed Analysis

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Degree Overview

• Objective: To equip graduates with the skills, attitudes, and knowledge needed to become valued members of clinical teams as Physician Associates.
• Program Length: Two years (full-time)
• Start Date: January
• Location: University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Campus
• Emphasis: Scientific basis of medicine, communication, and clinical skills.
• Second Year: Clinical rotations through various specialities like general surgery, emergency medicine, and paediatrics.
• Third Year: Further clinical placements and preparation for national exams.
• Taught in: A thriving medical school co-located with one of Europe's largest clinical sites.
• Curriculum: Modern, dynamic, integrated, and evolving based on student feedback.
• Focus: Lifelong professional development and functioning as Physician Associates.
• Learning Platform: Bespoke virtual environment "MyPA" for course materials, interaction, and feedback.

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Outline

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Year 1

• Runs from January to August.
• Focuses on communication, clinical skills, and the scientific basis of medicine.
• Compulsory Courses:
• Medical Science 1 (ME5519)
• Advanced Clinical Method 1 (ME5520)
• Anatomy 1 (ME5521)

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Year 2

• Runs from September to August.
• Offers clinical rotations through specialities:
• General Surgery
• Emergency Medicine
• Reproductive Health
• Paediatrics
• Opportunities to do rotations in various NHS Boards within Scotland.
• Compulsory Courses:
• Medical Sciences 2 (ME5019)
• Advanced Clinical Method 2 (ME5020)
• Anatomy 2 (ME5021)
• Clinical Placement 1-8 (ME54C1, ME57C2-3, ME57C4, ME58C5, ME59C6-8)

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Year 3

• Runs from September to December.
• Compulsory Courses:
• Clinical Placement 9-10 (ME50C9, ME50C0, ME541C)
• Clinical Assessment OSCE (ME5400)
• Transitions to Practice (Written) (ME5401)
• E-portfolio Reflection in Practice (ME5402)

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Assessment

• Continuous assessment throughout the program.
• Basic skills mastery before advancing to new topics.
• Summative written and clinical assessments at the end of each academic year.

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Teaching

• Teaching Methods:
• Clinical Learning
• E-learning
• Group Projects
• Lectures
• Peer Learning
• Professional Placements
• Research
• Tutorials
• Experienced faculty with diverse backgrounds.

• Emphasis on modern, student-centered, and interactive teaching methods.

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Careers

• Rapidly growing career field in the UK.

• Complementary role to doctors within the medical team.

• Starting salaries after qualification: Agenda for Change Band 6.

• Career progression dependent on competency, experience, and opportunities.

• National exam eligibility upon successful program completion.

• Register as a Physician Associate and practice in the UK.

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Other

• Open Day and Online Info Sessions available.
• Alumni testimonials praising the program's quality and impact.
• Bespoke "MyPA" platform for interaction and learning resources.
• Close connections with the NHS for clinical placements.
• Program recognized by the Faculty of Physician Associates.
• Aberdeen's strong medical school tradition dating back to 1497.

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EU / International students

£23,800

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UK

£11,900 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.