Physician Associate Studies

Physician Associate Studies - MSc

Physician Associates are trained health professionals able to work within any health care team under the supervision of a senior doctor. The position is a pioneering and rapidly growing clinical career. This course will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge required to be part of a clinical workforce delivering excellent patient care. A tailored combination of clinical placements and innovative teaching will be delivered by PAs, doctors, advanced nurse/clinical practitioners, scientists and researchers.

Apply for this course via UCAS using the course code BB96.

Month of entry

January

Mode of study

Full time

Location

Keele University campus Hospital campus

Subject area

Medicine

Fees for 2025/26 academic year

UK - Full time £9,250 per year

Duration of study

2 years

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Why study Physician Associate Studies at Keele University?

Learn from a wide range of teaching faculty including physician associates, clinicians, scientists and researchers

Benefit from clinical teaching with integrated placements in primary and secondary care

Engage with a range of teaching methodologies linked to clinical cases and associated skills

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Course structure

Indicative timetable

In year 1 you will attend taught sessions for 29 weeks of the year with 16 weeks of clinical placements. The taught weeks will usually include 1 day in a GP surgery, when not in secondary care placements. These GP days start within the first few weeks of the programme. In year 2 you will attend taught sessions for 21 weeks of the year with 22 weeks of full-time clinical placements. Placements usually fall between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. However in some clinical areas there may be a need to work at weekends and in the evenings

Modules

The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

Core Taught Modules

The list of module topics below are indicative. While we expect to offer these modules, this may change due to staff availability. If the modules change we will inform you during the admissions process.

Year one modules

Areas taught in this first year include cardiology, respiratory, gastroenterology, endocrinology, GU and renal, neurology, eyes and ENT and MSK.

These theoretical blocks of study commence with the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and pharmacology relevant to that clinical area. The clinical examination, assessment and procedural skills are taught, alongside a range of clinical conditions relevant to that block of study, with their presentation, investigation, diagnosis and management.

Entwined in all of this, the concepts of professionalism, communication, and ethical concepts of clinical practice are taught, alongside academic writing and development skills.

For clinical experience, you will be placed with a GP surgery at the start of the course and remain in this surgery for the whole two years. You will begin your clinical experience from week three of the course with one day per week in the GP surgeries. Four months into the course you will have a 10-week placement in secondary care in the general medical areas. You will then return to the one day per week in the GP surgeries. Towards the end of the first year you will have a 3-week placement in which you will experience a range of surgical areas.

Year two modules

This year continues to develop professional, ethical and interprofessional working skills and knowledge. Focus is given to specialist areas during this year with theory blocks on mental health, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, emergency medicine and haematology, as well as infectious diseases and dermatology.

The clinical placement in Year 2 includes a 12-week rotation between mental health, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology and emergency medicine. You will have a 4 week GP block and then a 4 week elective placement block at the end of the course. During this elective block you will have skills revision every Friday to aid your preparation for the National exams which will follow shortly after the completion of the course.

Dissertation

Dissertation

You will complete a 15,000-word literature-based dissertation which focuses on a topic area of your choice. You will undertake a thorough literature review of this area, analyse and debate how the role of the PA would fit into a clinical area to aid service development, help to improve patient outcomes and suggest recommendations for future practice.

The dissertation commences two months into the course and runs over the two years, with the final submission three months before the end of the course so as not to interfere with revision for the final examination of the course. Supervisors will guide you through the dissertation process, read draft work and provide ideas for the you to develop. The dissertation is staged to allow sufficient time for the completion in a timely manner.

Placements

Students are placed in a range of health care trusts and surgeries across north and south Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and into some areas of the west midlands. There is no student choice in where these placements will be, however we do try to allocate on geographical location to where the student lives as closely as we can.

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Entry requirements

The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.

Typical Offer:

UK: 2:1 degree in a biomedical or health science related subject

You will also need: 4/ C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus a 6 / B in GCSE English language (or alternative qualification - see below).

International applicants: This course is currently only available for students with Home fee status.

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 attend an online interview. Each candidate will undertake a structured individual interview from a panel of three members of the team from the PA course.
Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and health checks are required for all applicants whom are successful at interview.

English language requirements

All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group D.

References

Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.

Personal Statement/Statement of Purpose

Please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages for guidance on what to include in your personal statement.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.

RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.

General information

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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Funding

Some travel costs may be incurred whilst on placements; any such costs will be discussed with you before the placement is confirmed. There may be additional costs for textbooks and inter-library loans.

Living costs

Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost-effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.

Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2025 start date falls in the 2024/25 academic year. Please see the January 2025 fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2025

Planning your funding

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

Scholarships

We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.

It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in this case, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.

For continuing international students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.

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Teaching, learning and assessment

The course is a full-time, two-year programme of experiential learning, where you will engage with a range of teaching methodologies linked to clinical cases and associated skills. Both years follow a programme of clinical teaching with integrated placements in primary and secondary care with hospitals and GP practices. You will be taught by a range of specialist academics and clinicians to gain comprehensive input and guidance about the topic areas required to fulfil the programme requirements. You will also have joint teaching with Keele Health and Social Care courses, to develop interpersonal awareness and knowledge.

In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

Our aim is to prepare you for your national exam and future careers with a structured programme of speciality teaching. You will gain a broad understanding of clinical environments including: General Medical; Emergency Medicine; General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Mental Health.

You will complete your MSc over two years before sitting your National Exam.

Assessment

Throughout each year there are a range of formative examinations and tests to help you to develop your awareness of the standard required to pass the course. This is supported with regular group and individual feedback to aid individual progress. At the end of each year there are summative assessments which consist of an SBA examination and OSCE examination. All of these are set at national standards to ensure you are aware of the standard that has to be achieved. There is also a pharmacology and therapeutics exam that must be passed in year 2.

Alongside this, you will have a clinical journal to log your clinical hours in each of the placements and also a skills handbook which is signed off by clinical tutors, to ensure you have ample practice at set skills and procedures to ensure proficiency. There are also two reflective assignments based on cases from the clinical area which emphasises the role of the PA in the clinical area and a communications assessment, which is conducted by the GP tutor in the surgery in which you are placed.

There is also peer teaching and assessment to help you to embed your knowledge further by teaching your colleagues. This works well in developing a support community within the student groups. It also encourages learning and reduces the risk of isolation in students, which impacts on their development and achievement. This is achievable as at Keele we keep class sizes small enough for this important concept of student experience and development to be effective.

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Our expertise

This course is led by Dr Alison Pooler, an advanced nurse practitioner by background and an experienced academic having joined Keele University in 2008. Her PhD and research focuses around respiratory medicine and non-medical prescribing. She has overall leadership and management of the programme and ensures excellent teaching and support for the students is maintained.

The School of Medicine

Lecture sessions are led by a variety of experienced authorities in their field. Therefore, you will receive a wide knowledge base from academics and practising experts. Theory is embedded when you are taught within the clinical areas by a range of clinical tutors, who are also supported by the academic team for the programme to develop networks and channels of effective communication to enhance your development and experience.

To foster interprofessional learning and development you will be taught alongside Keele students on relevant Health and Social Care courses within the Faculty. The Keele University School of Medicine is ranked third in the UK (The Guardian, 2020), and the PA course is firmly embedded within this school alongside other health professional courses, and utilises the same resources, teaching facilities, and staff expertise.

Academic expertise

Dr Alison Pooler: An ANP by background from acute medicine with a specialist in respiratory medicine. Has a wealth of educational and curriculum expertise and leadership skills to lead the programme to enable effective and efficient delivery to ensure a quality experience for the students and their outcomes.
Dr Alwyn Ralphs: A practicing GP, experienced academic and leader who teaches on the course.
Dr Catherine Allen: A GP by background, and also a qualified primary school teacher. She brings a wide array of both clinical and knowledge-based skills to the team to aid student development and learning success.
Joy Bagguley: An experienced clinical skills tutor within the School of Medicine, whose expertise is invaluable to the students in developing excellent clinical skills within the School's simulation laboratories.
Tom Asprey: An experienced PA who works at Royal Wolverhampton Trust in ED. Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the role and is an excellent role model for the PA profession.
Ahmad Abu Kharmeh: An experienced PA who works in the north west region in acute and emergency medicine. He brings knowledge and skills of the PA role to the team alongside Tom.
Alex Nisbeck: An experienced and highly organised administrator who keeps the underlying organisation and process of the programme going. She supports the course director. Alex can be contacted by email at physicianassociate@keele.ac.uk

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Facilities

Keele University School of Medicine is spread across several sites in Staffordshire and Shropshire. The three principal buildings are located at the University main campus and at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) three miles away. There are also facilities at our associate teaching hospital at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust in Shropshire, Leighton hospital in Crewe and Royal Wolverhampton Trust, North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust, at County Hospital, and at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust at both Stafford and Shrewsbury.

The David Weatherall building at Keele campus contains everything that one would expect in a modern purpose-built facility, including a large lecture theatre, seminar rooms, IT laboratory, a first class anatomy suite, multi-user laboratories, student common room and refreshment area. The University provides library and information services in the nearby Information Services building.
At the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) campus you will find the Clinical Education Centre. As well as the usual teaching rooms, the Clinical Education Centre provides a multi-professional Health Library and superb clinical skills laboratory facilities.
The Harplands Hospital (North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare Trust) has a dedicated student common room/IT facility, seminar rooms and a small skills laboratory.
At the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, facilities include seminar rooms, a clinical skills laboratory, a student common room/resource room, and an integrated Health Library. High standard living accommodation for students is available at the Shrewsbury site.
At Stafford, County Hospital has several teaching rooms and library facilities. The Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has dedicated space for Keele students on relevant courses at St George's Hospital site in Stafford.

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