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Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate) (Taught)

Course details
  • MSc
  • 2 Years
  • Full-Time
  • 21 September 2027
  • Postgraduate
Course location
Main Site (Newcastle)

Course summary

Our Physician Associate master's will prepare you for the National Physician Associate entrance exam. Successful completion of the exam allows you to work as a Physician Associate (PA). It is a new and dynamic role within the NHS.

Physician Associates (PAs) are healthcare professionals with a generalist medical education. They work alongside doctors, physicians, GPs and surgeons. PAs provide medical care as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team.

PAs are dependent practitioners working with a dedicated consultant or GP supervisor. They also work alone, with appropriate support. The course will suit graduates of a bioscience discipline.

While not doctors, PAs work to the medical model. They use skills and knowledge to deliver holistic care and treatment. They do this with the general medical and/or general practice team. Physician Associates work under defined levels of supervision.

The course draws on Newcastle University’s considerable excellence in medical training. This is in association with Health Education North East.

You'll develop core knowledge in preparation for the clinical workplace. This will include appropriate knowledge of:

communication skills
clinical examination skills
clinical reasoning
data interpretation
anatomy
physiology
pharmacology

Entry requirements

Typical qualification requirements

A level
Not accepted

UCAS Tariff
Not accepted

Scottish Higher
Not accepted

Access to HE Diploma
Not accepted

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Not accepted

Academic Entry Requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a bioscience or related subject.

Some examples of degrees we regard as generally suitable are:

anatomy
biology
biochemistry/medical biochemistry
biomedical science
dentistry
human biology/physiology/pharmacology
medical sciences
Operating Theatre Practitioner
pharmacy
physiotherapy
podiatry
psychology (with a biological orientation)
radiography
zoology

If you have a Health Sciences Diploma (eg Nursing) with extensive clinical experience, we may also consider you. We do not consider applications from candidates who have previously commenced a medical degree and failed to progress for any reason. https://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/degrees/bb96/

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

Newcastle University Undergraduate tuition fees will be confirmed in July 2026.

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