PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE

Entry requirements

Applicants normally require GCSE (or equivalent) grade A-C/4 in Maths and English. Applicants will also have to demonstrate an interest in working in healthcare, through 150 hours of documented work experience in a healthcare setting, some clinical observation hours may also be accepted. Overall IELTs score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component.

In addition, EITHER a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or above in a relevant subject, such as medical, biological or life sciences or other health related subject from a UK university or an overseas equivalent - OR a minimum of an upper second-class honours degree (2:1) or above in a physical science or engineering subject or social work and appropriate modules in biology passed at a minimum of 55% at QAA levels 5 or 6. e.g. from the Open University.

Applicants who have achieved an lower second-class honours degree (2:2) may be considered, with evidence of experience or proven interest in working in a healthcare profession.

Alternative professional qualifications (e.g. DipHE in Nursing, Paramedic Science, ODP) with appropriate professional registration and a minimum of two years post-registration experience will be considered.

UEL admissions policy is to consider each applicant on their merits, guided by progressive principles, including a commitment to the UEL aim of widening access to higher education to non-traditional groups. Applications are welcomed from mature students, however it is not possible to APEL credits into this course. As part of the admissions process short-listed applicants will also be required to successfully complete a values-based interview.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate evidence of recent academic achievement, such that they may be deemed capable of study at degree level. Interviews can be conducted in person at the University or via telephone or teams video-conference call. Interviews are designed to give the applicant an opportunity to explain in greater detail the relevance of their experience and their suitability for the course, including levels of knowledge and communication skills.

The admission process is governed by UEL’s policy on Equality and Diversity[1]. Admissions practices are to be free from unlawfully discriminatory criteria.

However, all successful applicants must complete a satisfactory health clearance and agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations against hepatitis B, MMR meningitis, TB and chicken pox will be required.

The UK Government Health Authorities require that students working in a clinical area must be screened to ensure that they are not carriers of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
All applicants who accept an offer will need to:

• Undertake a screening blood test for Hepatitis B
• If this is negative, commence a course of immunisation
• Then provide continuing certified evidence of immunity

Offer holders must ensure that they take the blood test in good time. Applicants who are Hepatitis B positive or refuse to have a blood test may be refused admission to the course.

Finally, applicants will also be required to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally a Criminal Records Bureau check).

If you are, or have been, a member of a registered professional body please provide details with your application submission.

You will need two satisfactory references to support your application, both need to be less than twelve months old. The first reference needs to be a recent academic reference and the second reference can be either a second academic reference or a relevant professional/employer reference. Your references can be sent after making the initial application.

Although we encourage applications from other healthcare professionals, we do not normally accept applications from candidates with medical degrees or those who have previously studied for, but not completed, a medical degree. The course is also not open to applicants previously enrolled on another Physician Associate course or individuals wishing to transfer from other Physician Associate courses.

Students on this course must pass all first year modules, in order to progress from first year into second year there is no cross modular compensation, but other exit qualifications are available.

Selection

Shortlisted applicants will be invited attend a selection day either online or at the university. The selection process involves a half day of introduction to the university and some values-based selection activities. However, meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an invitation to a selection event or a place on the programme.

Applicants who are unsuccessful with their initial application may apply for a second time in the following academic year. We do not permit further applications if your second application is unsuccessful.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Applications for January 2022 are now closed. Please check back later this year to apply for our January 2023 intake.

This is a two-year full-time course of at least 90 weeks, with substantive time in clinical placement. You will study the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, microbiology, and pharmacology related to the human body in health and disease.

You will learn how to take a clinical history from a patient, request appropriate investigations, use clinical reasoning, and then formulate a safe and coherent management plan, including referral to specialities, if appropriate. You will study the principles of public health, the psychosocial aspects of health and aspects of common mental health presentations.

You will learn skills to ensure patient safety, how to communicate in multi-disciplinary teams, prevent clinical error, and learn about the process of clinical reasoning and how to reach a diagnosis and suggest the correct management of your patient.

You will also learn research methodologies, the process of evaluation, how to prepare a research proposal and undertaking a service improvement project.