Physician Associate

Entry requirements

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.

Please be aware that to apply for this course you will need to submit an application through the undergraduate section of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Months of entry

September

Course content

Please be aware that this course has been suspended for 2026 September entry.

By graduating as a Physician Associate (PA) from Brunel Medical School, you’ll be part of an exciting, important, and emerging group of clinical professionals who support doctors and medical teams within the NHS. Working in the healthcare profession can be inspiring and rewarding. A career as a 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 and passionate 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 medical histories, physical examinations, and 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 1,700 hours of professional practice, so you’ll be equipped with the experience and expertise to give you an excellent start as you then embark on your career as a Physician Associate.

As a Physician Associate student, you will be joining the internationally renowned and well-established College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences.

Funding

In the past, Health Education England, now merged with NHS England, has provided a national funding strategy for Physician Associate courses in England. This funding provided £5,000 per student via their university; £2,500 in Year 1 and £2,500 in Year 2 and is available for students entering in 2023.

Please note that this funding is subject to annual review and may not be available in the future.

Physician Associate National Examination

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.

How to apply

Please be aware that to apply for this course you will need to submit an application through the undergraduate section of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Information for international students

English language requirements

• IELTS: 7.5 (min 7.0 in all areas)
• Pearson: 73 (64 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 73% (68% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 108 (min 20)

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.