MSc Physician Associate Studies

Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.

• Medicine
• Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work

Applicants should hold or be predicted an Upper Second class degree (2:1). This may include the life sciences (eg biomedical science, anatomy, physiology, healthcare science) or a healthcare professional course (eg pharmacy, audiology, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy).

Although we encourage applications from other healthcare professionals, we do not accept applications from candidates with medical degrees or those who have previously studied for, but not completed, a medical or healthcare degree.

All applicants should hold GCSE qualifications in Maths and English Language at grade 6 (B) or equivalent. Applicants with equivalent or non-standard qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

We are gradually be integrating the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) into our selection process.

Applicants who have taken UCAT and achieved a total cognitive test score in the top third of UCAT test takers and Band 1 or 2 in the situational judgement test (SJT) will receive a guaranteed interview, subject to meeting our other criteria for admission. Other applicants will then be prioritised based on UCAT performance. Applicants with a band 4 (SJT) will not be considered for admission. Where UCAT has been sat it must be declared on the application.

In the next admissions cycle applicants who have not taken UCAT may be invited to interview if sufficient interview slots remain available after candidates with UCAT scores have been considered.

International students must demonstrate English proficiency through a secure and approved testing system.

We ask for English language proof if you are from non-majority English speaking countries. List of English speaking countries, as defined by the UK Home Office.

Specifically, we require a minimum of:

• IELTS - 7.0 overall (with 6.5 in all components)

See further information about requirements for your country.

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. Your English Language test report must be valid on the start date of the course.

An understanding of the healthcare environment is essential. Work experience involving adults or children with illness or disability is therefore considered highly desirable. A portfolio incorporating some online medical experience is also permissible.

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2026, the tuition fees are as follows:

• MSc (full-time)
  UK students (per annum): £11,600
  International, including EU, students (per annum): £29,900

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Student support available includes a £5,000 travel bursary, spread across the two years of your studies. This covers the cost of travel to placements. Students registered on the course may also be eligible for a Postgraduate Loan. There is no further funding available and you would be required to partly self-fund this course.

Students should be able to complete their course without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for the course. Unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home UG fee per annum, regardless of whether the course is UG or PGT, will be made clear at application. Further information: University policy on additional costs (PDF document, 91KB).

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

For the latest scholarship and bursary information please visit the fees and funding page.

Applications are first screened according to whether or not they meet our standard academic threshold as published on our website.

Those applications that do not meet the appropriate academic criteria will not progress to the next phase of the screening process, and will receive notification that their application has been unsuccessful through UCAS in due course.

Applicants who pass the initial screening will be shortlisted by a panel of academic staff members. All components of your application will be taken into account at this stage.

See more information about the application process.

We do not make any offers without interview. Please see our interviews page for more information.

Interviews are likely to take place between February and April. If you are shortlisted for an interview we will contact you by email. Unsuccessful decisions and offers will be made via UCAS.

All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. The health screening is based upon the Higher Education Occupational Physicians/Practitioners (HEOPS) standards of medical fitness to train for medical students (PDF, 71KB).

A potential student may be concerned that their health or disability may affect their ability to fulfil the competency standards of the course. Any such applicants are encouraged to contact the Occupational Health Service and/or The Disability Advisory and Support Service at an early stage in order to explore the situation in depth and consider the feasibility of making reasonable adjustments. Hopefully the process will prove helpful to the student in deciding whether to pursue an application.

The health screening requires the completion of a detailed health questionnaire by the applicant and a possible appointment with the University's Occupational Health Department. In order to be admitted and continue on the programme, students must be deemed as medically fit for both practice and theory by the Occupational Health Department. You will be required to comply with any viral screening as requested by the Department of Health.

General enquiries about health screening should be addressed to Student Occupational Health, Tel +44 (0)161 275 2858.

Please see also the Procedure for Admission to Courses Requiring Medical Fitness Assessment (Word, 59KB).

You will be required, as part of the non-academic conditions of your offer, to provide a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. In the UK, this takes the form of an Enhanced Level search by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and will reveal any criminal convictions, spent or unspent, as well as any police cautions, warnings or reprimands.

Regulations and record systems in other countries vary. If you receive an offer from us, you will receive a link to further information.

Anyone who considers it possible that a criminal record or other disclosure may reveal any offence must contact the Admissions Team before applying.

You may apply for deferred entry for a year, although we would generally recommend that you apply with up-to-date academic information and work experience. Please note that receiving an offer in the current admissions cycle does not guarantee you a place in the following year.

Please also be aware that the funding model is subject to change and may not be available in future years. Students deferring a place will receive a funding scheme (if available) applicable to the year in which they start the course, rather than the year of application.

Please contact us.

Please contact us.

Please contact us.

Transfers are not normally considered.

The first year of the course begins with a period of intensive study where you will develop your understanding of the essential basic and clinical sciences that facilitate safe and effective practice.

The curriculum is built around a core content of common clinical presentations and pathologies that are organised according to their relative biomedical complexity. The content of each taught block is delivered using a case-based learning (CBL) approach through the study of clinical cases/scenarios.

Each case integrates elements of the taught content and you will learn about and reflect upon the related biomedical, behavioural and population sciences appropriate to the case.

CBL is supported by small group teaching, lectures and workshops to form a truly integrated curriculum with very high levels of contact time.

There are 20 weeks of clinical placement in the first year. Starting off with two rotations of early clinical experience, these rotations are specifically designed as an introduction to clinical placement where you will build your confidence, learn about healthcare environments and healthcare teams. You will then progress to complete a further 16 weeks of clinical placement in your second year.

The second year of the course provides more advanced specialist instruction in the core medical and clinical sciences alongside a comprehensive programme of clinical reasoning to prepare you to sit your national postgraduate examinations. You will also complete a master's research project in clinical area.

The course is non-modular, providing you with an opportunity to develop and consolidate skills throughout each year of the course.

Taught content is delivered in blocks of study of increasing complexity alongside the two longitudinal themes of Personal and Professional Development (PPD) and Consultation Skills (CS), with assessment periods at the end of each year. Each taught block feeds seamlessly into the next and all components of the programme are compulsory.

You have the option of spending an elective period in the Second Year experiencing healthcare or socially responsible activities overseas, carrying out a research project or experiencing a new medical or surgical specialty.

The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

This course is part of a wider collaboration across the north-west. We work in partnership with NHS England and other universities across the region.

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk

• General Medical Council

• General Medical Council
• NHS Workforce, Training and Education
• Physician Associates School Council
• College of Medical Associate Professionals