Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £10,050 per year
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How long will I study?
2 Years
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Where will I study?
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What is the UCAS code?
D008
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When do I start?
January 2028
Course summary
- Evaluate concepts and evidence for the diagnosis and care of patients.
- Understand ethical and professional frameworks.
- Ensure safe and competent practice.
- Learn by gaining experience on clinical placements.
- Perform real clinical procedures, using specialist knowledge and techniques.
Physician associates provide vital support to doctors – diagnosing and managing patients while improving care access. On this course you’ll develop the knowledge and skills you need for the role, as set out by the Faculty of Physician Associates. You’ll graduate with industry experience and life-long academic skills, and you'll be ready to take the national exam.
How you learn
This course blends theory and practice. You’ll take six taught modules based around the medical knowledge and skills you need to pass the National Physician Associate exams. These are compulsory for qualification as a physician associate.
Your studies will then be applied to the real world of medicine – where you’ll do everything from history taking and patient examination to management planning. You’ll work in real primary and secondary care settings over the course of 1,600 hours.
You learn through
- case-based discussion
- problem-based learning
- peer-directed learning
- clinical placements
Applied learning
Work placements
The course consists of 1,600 hours of clinical placement within both primary care and secondary care. Secondary care placements cover general medicine, general surgery, front door medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, mental health and paediatrics. Each placement follows related taught content, so you’ll be able to put theory into practice.
Networking opportunities
Regional careers fairs are organised each year. At these fairs you’re able to meet with representatives from a number of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and hospital Trusts. You’ll meet potential employers and get a sense of what each job has to offer.
Course leaders and tutors
Lopa Husain
Course LeaderLopa Husain is a Course Leader in the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module aim:
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes required to become a qualified Physician Associate. The module will introduce you to the medical model of patient care. You will learn a number of practical procedures that are expected to be performed by a qualified Physician Associate.
Indicative content:
- Different facets of medical history taking
- Examination of different body systems
- Practical procedures related to the taught content
- Consideration to investigations and management appropriate to the taught conditions
- Examples of medical conditions taught within the module include diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and neurology.
- Identity and professionalism
Module Aim:
The aim of this module is to further develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes required to become a qualified Physician Associate. There will be an emphasis on building your clinical reasoning skills. You will learn to critically evaluate the information from patient histories and examination findings in order to formulate and justify an appropriate management plan. There will be an emphasis on evaluating the different modes of patient investigation and the outcomes from these.
Indicative content:
- There will be reference made to knowledge and skills learnt in the General Medicine module
- History taking will be re-visited with the conditions specific to this module
- Examination of different body systems in relation to the conditions taught within this module
- Practical procedures related to the taught content
- Emphasis on the investigations and management appropriate to the taught conditions
- Examples of conditions taught within the module include diseases of the musculoskeletal system and surgical conditions of the gastrointestinal system.
- Identity and professionalism
The module aims to provide you with an introduction to research design and methods relevant to an applied area of investigation. It will enable you to consider factors that will impact on future planning and management of their investigation.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
- Identifying a research question
- Research methods to support quantitative and qualitative research
- Research ethics
- Literature based studies
- Service evaluation - design and methods
- Project planning and management
For those studying on the apprenticeship route, the following KSB’s will be met through study of this module
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You will be able to: |
You will know and understand: |
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Knowledge |
2.2 Assess own learning needs and engage in self-directed learning to maximise potential to lead and transform care and services |
2.2 Your role, responsibility and motivation to manage your own learning; the range of tools and techniques that can be used to direct own learning, set goals and evaluate learning |
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4.2 Evaluate and audit your own and others’ clinical practice and act on the findings |
4.2 The range of valid and reliable evaluation and audit methods used in clinical practice |
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4.3 Alert individuals and organisations to gaps in evidence; initiate and/or lead evidence-based activity that aims to enhance clinical practice and contribute to the evidence base; support others to develop their research capability |
4.3 The range of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies relevant for use in health and social care; the roles and responsibilities of those involved in research; the range of legal, ethical, professional, financial and organisational policies and procedures that will apply to your research activities; the importance and impact of research on advancing clinical practices |
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4.4 Critically appraise and synthesise the outcomes of research, evaluation and audit; apply this within your own and others’ practice; act as a bridge between clinical and research practice; promote the use of evidence-based standards, policies and clinical guidelines |
4.4 Critical appraisal techniques and how to apply new knowledge effectively to own and others’ clinical practice; the importance of integrating research into clinical practice; the range of evidence-based standards, policies and clinical guidelines which apply to own and others’ practice |
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4.5 Develop and implement robust governance systems and systematic documentation processes |
4.5 The importance of effective governance systems and methods that can be used to ensure systematic documentation is in place |
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4.6 Disseminate your work through appropriate media to further advance clinical practices. |
4.6 The value of disseminating research to advance clinical practice, enhancing the quality, safety, productivity and value for money of health and care; how to select and use media appropriately to optimise research impact. |
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Skills |
1.1 Practise with a high level of autonomy and be accountable for your decisions and omissions; work in line with your code of professional conduct, professional standards and scope of practice |
1.1 Local, national policies and procedures within your scope of practice, the professional and regulatory codes of conduct relevant to your advanced clinical practice; the importance of working within boundaries of practice; the range of physical, psychological, pharmacological, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions within your scope of practice |
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Behaviour |
3.6 Establish and exercise your individual scope of practice within legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies, procedures and codes of conduct to manage risk and enhance the care experience |
3.6 The range of legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies, procedures and codes of conduct that apply to your practice |
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3.7 Identify and manage risk in own and others’ clinical practice; be receptive to challenge and demonstrate the ability to challenge others. |
3.7 The range of evidence-based strategies to manage risk in clinical practice. |
Final year
Compulsory modules
This module will enable you to develop a proposal and plan and conduct an in depth investigation of a topic that contributes to your professional practice. It provides the opportunity to apply an understanding of research methods to the investigation and allows you to demonstrate your ability to work with relative autonomy in undertaking a sustained, in-depth piece of independent learning. It will also support the dissemination of findings to your professional community.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module is essentially an individual, self-directed piece of work, the content of which will be specific to your professional area and interests. You will be expected to demonstrate knowledge relevant to the topic of interest as well as knowledge and understanding of research methods and data analysis.
You will be advised and supported through the proposal stage and necessary internal and external ethical and scientific approval processes.
Module Aim:
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes in the area of genitourinary, reproductive and sexual health. There will be an emphasis on building your clinical reasoning skills incorporating the basic medical sciences. You will learn to process the information from patient histories and examination findings in order to formulate an appropriate management plan.
Indicative content:
- History taking will be re-visited with the conditions specific to this module
- Examination of different body systems in relation to the conditions taught within this module
- Practical procedures related to the taught content
- Emphasis on critically evaluating and reflecting on your own abilities to manage patients with conditions taught on this module
- Introduction to factors wider than the clinical condition which have relevance on patient management
- Examples of conditions taught within the module include diseases of the male and female reproductive system, medical and surgical conditions of the genitourinary system.
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Module Aim:
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge, skills and attitudes in the area of medical specialities. There will be an emphasis on building your clinical reasoning skills incorporating the basic medical sciences. You will learn to process the information from patient histories and examination findings in order to formulate an appropriate management plan.
Indicative content:
- History taking will be re-visited with the conditions specific to this module
- Examination of different body systems in relation to the conditions taught within this module
- Practical procedures related to the taught content
- Emphasis on critically evaluating and reflecting on your own abilities to manage patients with conditions taught on this module
- Introduction to factors wider than the clinical condition which have relevance on patient management
- Examples of medical specialities taught within the module include ENT, dermatology, mental health and ophthalmology
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a qualified physician associate. You’ll need to successfully pass the national exams after you complete the course.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- a number of primary Trusts within Sheffield and the local surrounding areas
- secondary Trusts within South Yorkshire and nationally
Equipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEntry requirements
All students
An honours degree recognised in the UK at 2.1 or above in a science related subject.
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings which demonstrates caring and empathy is essential.
Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including mathematics, English language or literature, and a science subject or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent.
Non-academic entry requirements
Before enrolling you must complete all the professional requirements that are mandatory as part of entry for the course:
Occupational Health Screening
Satisfactory medical clearance, by completion of a health screening assessment, will be a condition of your offer and you cannot enrol on your course without it. This occupational health screening will be provided by the University free of charge and ensures that you meet the medical fitness to train in your profession as per professional and regulatory body requirements and the Higher Education Occupational Practitioners (HEOPs) standards.
As part of this assessment, you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and patients/service users
If there is any change to your health during your course, you must notify the University immediately so that we that we can undertake an assessment/reassessment to ensure you continue to meet the medical fitness to train in your profession.
Immunisations
All students must comply with the immunisation requirements of the programme in line with the Department of Health (DoH) Green Book standards / current guidelines or equivalent evidence-based standards, which must be met to undertake placements and continue on the course. The NHS updates the list of vaccinations required and these may change over the course of your programme of study.
To remain enrolled, you must complete your full immunisation programme as outlined in the Universities Immunisation Policy.
Self-Declaration
Completion of a Sheffield Hallam University Suitability Self-Declaration form will be condition of your offer and you cannot enrol without completing it. You must fully declare the following information:
- Unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. This includes convictions considered as ‘spent’ as an Enhanced DBS Criminal record check (required for this course) will show. For further information on unfiltered offences and Disclosing your criminal record please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website and refer to information on Unlock.
- Involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments.
- Involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations.
- If you have ever been removed from another programme as a result of your behaviour or would have been removed if you had not left the programme.
Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)
Completion of an Enhanced DBS criminal record application will be a condition of your offer. This is a legal requirement for anyone involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults engaging in regulated activity. This check will be provided by the university free of charge. You will need to present valid identity documents as part of the application process. Please refer to the ID checking guidelines for further information.
Positive Disclosures will be reviewed by the Fitness to Practise Operational Group and/or Criminal Records Consultative Panel in conjunction with your Self-Declaration form.
You must inform the University immediately of any changes to your criminal record after your DBS certificate is issued so that we can consider the change and confirm whether you remain suitable to continue your application/studies.
Overseas Criminal Record Check
Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK for 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years, while aged 18 or over must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2027/28 is £10,050 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
Scholarships and financial support
Find information on scholarships, bursaries and postgraduate student loans.
International scholarships up to £3000 ›
Alumni scholarships up to £2000 ›
Postgraduate loans for UK students ›
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 277.3KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
