About Physician Associate Studies, Msc in University of Aberdeen

This highly regarded Physician Associate programme has been designed to train a new generation of healthcare professionals to support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients. Physician Associates (PA) are trained to perform a number of roles including taking medical histories, performing examinations, diagnosing illnesses, analysing test results and developing management plans.

This is a two-year full time programme requiring ninety weeks of study and combines the theoretical and scientific basis of medicine with clinical experience. The programme leads to the award of MSc in Physician Associate Studies. Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are eligible to sit the national examination which entitles entry onto the national register and practise as a PA in the UK.

How You'll Study

In 2006 the Department of Health released the Competence and Curriculum Framework (CCF) for the Physician Associate, developed in partnership with The Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners. The CCF defines the role and scope of practice standards for education and assessment of Physician Associates. This document has recently been reviewed in order to update it in light of the changing role of the Physician Associate.

During year 1 there is an emphasis on communication and clinical skills whilst learning about the scientific basis of medicine. As the course progresses towards the end of the first year and through the second year there are a series of clinical rotations through specialities such as general surgery, emergency medicine, reproductive health and paediatrics, where students learn about common disease presentation whilst dealing with real patients.

During these rotations, students will benefit from bedside teaching, seminars and tutorials whilst working alongside a variety of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals consolidating knowledge and developing their skills.

Learning Methods

• CLINICAL LEARNING
• E-LEARNING
• GROUP PROJECTS
• LECTURES
• PEER LEARNING
• PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENTS
• RESEARCH
• TUTORIALS

Why Study Physician Associate Studies?

• Taught in a thriving medical school,  that is co-located on one of the largest clinical sites in Europe with superb teaching and extensive facilities.
• The Physician Associate programme at Aberdeen is the second longest running in the UK, and we are currently the only University in Scotland to offer this exciting programme.
• On our established programme you will benefit from a modern, dynamic and clearly delivered curriculum using a systems-based, integrated approach. Student feedback is encouraged and is extremely important in informing future developments of the programme.
• The MSc aims to produce professionals who have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to function as Physician Associates and the personal and intellectual attributes necessary for lifelong professional development.
• MyPA is a bespoke virtual learning environment for Physician Associate staff and student course materials and interactions. In addition to timetable and learning resources provision, MyPA hosts and processes Student Course Evaluation Forms, allow students to “star rate” teaching events, and provide very detailed feedback on formative and summative assessments.

Careers

Physician Associates are a new and rapidly growing group of graduate professionals in the UK. Whilst not doctors, they work to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general medical and/or general practice team under defined levels of supervision. With ever increasing demands on our National Health Service, the role of the PA is designed to supplement the medical workforce, ultimately improving patient access.

Upon successful completion of the University of Aberdeen assessments, students are eligible to present for the national exam graduates. Upon passing the National Exam, candidates are eligible to be entered on the voluntary national register (PA MVR) and to practice as a PA in the UK. Following the two year course and after qualification, PAs can expect starting salaries of Agenda for Change Band 6. Thereafter career progression will be dependent upon competency, attributes and opportunities to progress to higher pay scales.

The Physician Associate role has been identified as a key profession in NHS service within the UK. It is envisaged that a large number of job vacancies will become available in forthcoming years.

Academic qualification equivalents

• A score of 50 - 70% from a well ranked public institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS       :     Overall - 6.5     with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 6.0; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
• TOEFL     :     Overall - 90      with: Listening - 17; Reading - 21; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
• PTE          :     Overall - 62      with: Listening - 51; Reading - 54; Speaking - 51; Writing - 54

University of Aberdeen Highlights

University of Aberdeen Tuition Fees And Other Expenses

Aberdeen manages to provide a fixed fee structure throughout the program for international students so that they can project the amount in advance.

• The undergraduate arts fee starts from £17,200 and for sciences, it’s around £19,700.
• The postgraduate fee is variable and depends upon the degree chosen and discount of around 20% can be availed by Alumni of college
• For Undergraduate arts degree annual fee is of £ 17,200 which adds up for £68,800 and for engineering it is £19,700 and a total of £78,800.
• As per the calculation done by college the minimum cost of living in the U.K which covers all the basic expenses is around £1,000.

Aberdeen University Cost of Attendance

Aberdeen manages to provide a fixed fee structure throughout the program for international students so that they can project the amount in advance. Details for 2021-2022 academic session are tabulated below: