MSc PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE STUDIES
MSC PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATE STUDIES
Train for a Master’s in Physician Associate Studies and you’ll be set for a career as a versatile, dynamic healthcare professional. You’ll play a vital role in the multidisciplinary team in both hospital and community settings, working closely with patients, and helping to diagnose and manage their conditions. 
On this two-year course you’ll learn how to deliver the highest standards of care to your patients, working within an interprofessional team of aspiring medical and health professionals. Our programme is split 50/50 between theory and practice and, thanks to our strong relationships with local healthcare providers, you’ll benefit from placements that have been carefully tailored to be meaningful and rewarding to you. 
You’ll study in the first-class facilities at Norwich Medical School, and at a level that will give you a more rounded experience and a deeper understanding of the needs of both patients and healthcare providers. 
About
Our MSc Physician Associate Studies is a two-year, full-time, intensive postgraduate course in medical science and clinical reasoning. It consists of approximately 50% theory and 50% practice, including over 1,400 hours on clinical placement in both acute and community settings, starting from your second month. 
Norwich Medical School has a reputation for pioneering teaching and research. You’ll have access to our first-class facilities, which include the Bob Champion Research and Education Centre and our bespoke Anatomy Suite. And we’re located next to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on the Norwich Research Park. 
We focus on ensuring our graduates are ready to enter and excel in the healthcare profession. So we ensure that you not only get plenty of hands-on experience across a wide range of placements, but also work within a mixed team of trainee medical professionals on campus, giving you a unique understanding into other people’s working roles. 
The course is divided into six modules, the first five of which are clinical in content, enabling you to acquire skills in theory, communication, clinical and procedural practice. Each module will then be followed by a placement when you can put your new skills into practice. Your sixth module will focus on health improvement and is a requirement for a Master’s-level qualification. 
Studying for an MSc will give you greater understanding of your future employers – and your future patients. Combine this depth of knowledge with placements tailored to your individual requirements, and you’ll have everything you need to get your career off to a brilliant start, benefiting from many and varied job opportunities both locally and nationally. 
Our pass rate in the PA National Examination is 100% for theory and very high for the OSCE component, with the UEA average for both elements well above the national average. 

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Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.After the Course
Our course was created as a direct response to new healthcare job opportunities at local acute hospitals in Norfolk and Suffolk. We developed the programme in partnered with these hospitals. They include Ipswich Hospital, James Paget University Hospital, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn and West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trusts, as well as general practitioners in the area. 
The course has been developed with your future career and the demands of the healthcare system in mind, and after graduation you’ll benefit from the very many job opportunities both locally and nationally.  
Career destinations
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Acute hospital trusts 
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General Practice/primary care 
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Mental health care 
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Research 
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Management 
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Education 

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Assessment for Year 1
You will also have formative written and OSCE (clinical) exams during your first year, with summative written and OSCE examinations at the end of the year. You will need to pass these exams, as well as the required clinical procedures and case presentations, in order to progress on to your second year of study. 
In the second year you’ll be assessed with mid- and end-of-year exams and further case presentations. 
Your module 6 health improvement project will be assessed through a combination of a literature review, a formative poster presentation and a final written dissertation. 
Once you have passed the UEA final examinations you’ll be able to sit the national Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) examination. UEA has a 100% pass rate on the theory component and very high pass rates for the OSCE, all well above the national average. Pass it and at present you’ll be eligible for listing on the National Managed Voluntary Register of PAs, but in 2021 this will be replaced by regulation and registration by the GMC. 
You can find out more about the national exam on the Royal College of Physicians website. 
Assessment for Year 2
You will also have formative written and OSCE (clinical) exams during your first year, with summative written and OSCE examinations at the end of the year. You will need to pass these exams, as well as the required clinical procedures and case presentations, in order to progress on to your second year of study. 
In the second year you’ll be assessed with mid- and end-of-year exams and further case presentations. 
Your module 6 health improvement project will be assessed through a combination of a literature review, a formative poster presentation and a final written dissertation. 
Once you have passed the UEA final examinations you’ll be able to sit the national Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) examination. UEA has a 100% pass rate on the theory component and very high pass rates for the OSCE, all well above the national average. Pass it and at present you’ll be eligible for listing on the National Managed Voluntary Register of PAs, but in 2021 this will be replaced by regulation and registration by the GMC. 
You can find out more about the national exam on the Royal College of Physicians website. 
Assessment for Year 1
You will also have formative written and OSCE (clinical) exams during your first year, with summative written and OSCE examinations at the end of the year. You will need to pass these exams, as well as the required clinical procedures and case presentations, in order to progress on to your second year of study. 
In the second year you’ll be assessed with mid- and end-of-year exams and further case presentations. 
Your module 6 health improvement project will be assessed through a combination of a literature review, a formative poster presentation and a final written dissertation. 
Once you have passed the UEA final examinations you’ll be able to sit the national Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) examination. UEA has a 100% pass rate on the theory component and very high pass rates for the OSCE, all well above the national average. Pass it and at present you’ll be eligible for listing on the National Managed Voluntary Register of PAs, but in 2021 this will be replaced by regulation and registration by the GMC. 
You can find out more about the national exam on the Royal College of Physicians website. 
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Assessment for Year 2
You will also have formative written and OSCE (clinical) exams during your first year, with summative written and OSCE examinations at the end of the year. You will need to pass these exams, as well as the required clinical procedures and case presentations, in order to progress on to your second year of study. 
In the second year you’ll be assessed with mid- and end-of-year exams and further case presentations. 
Your module 6 health improvement project will be assessed through a combination of a literature review, a formative poster presentation and a final written dissertation. 
Once you have passed the UEA final examinations you’ll be able to sit the national Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) examination. UEA has a 100% pass rate on the theory component and very high pass rates for the OSCE, all well above the national average. Pass it and at present you’ll be eligible for listing on the National Managed Voluntary Register of PAs, but in 2021 this will be replaced by regulation and registration by the GMC. 
You can find out more about the national exam on the Royal College of Physicians website. 
Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Important Information
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. The University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2:1 or equivalentDegree subject
Science or Health-related disciplineAdditional entry requirements
If a student has a bachelor’s degree but does not meet the normal admission requirements for the PA course they may sit the GAMSAT. This was developed and validated by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and is used to assist in selection of students for graduate-entry programs and to assess capacity to undertake high level intellectual studies in a demanding course. The minimum admission requirement for the PA course is an overall GAMSAT score of 50 within the last two years. Please see the website for further details. https://gamsat.acer.org/
Special Entry Requirements
Applicants will normally have 3 A-levels at grade C or above, including at least one science subject or equivalent.
Applicants are required to submit two references with their application - one related to their most recent Academic study, while the other may be a professional reference.
Academic study should have been completed within the last 5 years.
placements
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
This course is open to UK applicants only.
Interviews
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview. The first round of Interviews for the January 2023 cohort will take place on 23rd June 2022. Further rounds of interviews will take place in October and November. Details and dates to be confirmed.
Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants only. The annual intake for this course is in January each year.

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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2022/23 are:
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UK Students: Two year full-time course, £9,900 per academic year
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,023 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
Students starting the MSc Physician Associate Studies in January 2023 will be eligible to receive a Bursary support from Health Education East of England (HEEoE), amounting to £2,500 per annum. All students must be UK nationals, or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK. There is an expectation that graduates from this programme would work within the National Health Service (NHS) on completion of their course.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course related costs

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How to Apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Early applications are strongly encouraged for this course. Complete applications, including all supporting documents, references and qualification certificates, must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the preferred interview date in order to be considered. Applications submitted less than 2 weeks before the preferred interview date, may be considered for the next available interview session.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you would like to request further information or to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying please do contact us.
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

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