Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals, trained in a generalist medical model to deliver care and treatment within hospital and community environments. A PA works independently, under the supervision of a senior doctor, to diagnose, manage and treat a range of patients as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Once qualified, PAs may also develop a specialist area of practice. Keele’s PA course utilizes a diverse range of teaching faculty including PAs, clinicians, scientists, and researchers to maximize students’ learning potential. Furthermore, Keele’s placement providers are committed to developing PAs for recruitment into their organizations. Postgraduate medicine is closely affiliated with the North Staffordshire PA Internship Programme and is actively involved with the development of PA education nationally.
MSc Physician Associate Studies
Modules
Year 1
Areas taught in this first year include cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, endocrinology, GU and renal, neurology, eyes and ENT, and MSK.
Year 2
The clinical placement in Year 2 includes a 12-week rotation between mental health, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine. They also have a 6-week GP block and a further 4-week additional placement, where at least one week is spent in emergency medicine again and the other three weeks in areas of their choice. Many opt to spend this final 3-week placement in the area in which they have chosen to work once qualified. This is facilitated wherever possible.
Master’s dissertation module across both years
Students are placed in the local primary and secondary care trust in the North Staffordshire and Cheshire areas. These are teaching hospitals and practices and have close links with the School of Medicine.
Employability
A career as a PA can be very diverse and opportunities are opening up in our local Trusts to facilitate this. We work very closely with our healthcare providers to review and develop PA roles and career progression locally.
Key Facts
Requirements
- 2:1 honors degree in a biomedical or health science-related subject (e.g. biomedical science, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, healthcare science, pharmacy, audiology, nursing, midwifery, and physiotherapy).
- All applicants should hold GCSE Maths and English grade 6 (or B). Applicants with equivalent or non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.
- Where English is not offered as a first language, applicants are required to achieve a minimum IELTS score of no less than 7.5 (no less than 7 in any sub-set).
- Please note: all applicants will be required to submit a Roles & Responsibilities (R&R) form. The R&R form is an opportunity for candidates to evidence their communication and people skills. Download the PA Roles & Responsibilities Form to complete and upload as part of the application process.
- Shortlisted applicants will be called to interview, held in the David Weatherall (School of Medicine) building on the University campus. Each candidate will undertake a structured individual interview from a panel of three members of the team from the PA course.
- Before starting the Physician Associate Studies program all successful applicants will need to pass health and criminal record screening.
- Unfortunately, this course is not open to overseas students.
Duration options
Full time, 2 years
Start Dates
January
