Student Physician Associates Student Physician Associates

Course Summary

This course aims to inform and equip the practitioner with the necessary knowledge and skills to function in a modern clinical environment as a Physician Associate. 

The physician associate is a type of health professional whose development has been led by the Department of Health and has involved the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) and Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP), as well as the profession itself through the faculty of physician associates (FPA). This course aims to holistically develop you as a clinician, leader and pioneer of the profession. 

If you have any queries about the MSc Physician Associate Studies course, please email pa@chester.ac.uk  

This course is delivered by Physician Associates and other health care professionals, supplemented by a variety of Clinicians and Biomedical Scientists from local Hospital Departments and general practices. 

You will be trained using an integrated model of theory and practice. You will have the opportunity to hone your clinical skills and knowledge in simulation. You will have contact with our simulated patients from the first week of the course. We have an up-to-date simulation suite which allows you to learn and develop in a safe environment prior to conducting clinical placements. 

 


What you’llStudy

Physician associates support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients, and are trained to perform a number of roles. We have developed our course in collaboration with our regional healthcare partners. This is an intensive course with theory, clinical skills and patient contact running in parallel from the beginning.

Module content:

This is the first of two modules which will provide a comprehensive overview of anatomy, physiology, pathology, aetiology, epidemiology including the presentation, management and evaluation of various diseases and disorders.  The integration of science and practice will be covered enabling students to develop the ability and competence in the application of clinical medical science knowledge under defined levels of clinical supervision to ensure patient focused holistic care and treatment.

Emphasis will be placed on the basic principles and processes of clinical medical science at the following levels:

  • whole body
  • organ
  • cellular
  • molecular

Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of:

  • Disease processes
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology

Students will apply this evidence-based knowledge in the:

  • Clinical assessment of patients
  • Management of patients
  • Investigation of patients
  • Interpretation of diagnostic tests and investigations

 

 

 


Module aims:

The module aims to:

  • Provide the student with sufficient  knowledge of cellular, organ, molecular and whole body physiology necessary to understand normal and abnormal human body function. 
  • Develop student understanding of the basic principles of disease processes, pathophysiology and pharmacology
  • Develop student understanding of the basic scientific concepts of drug classification, mechanisms of action, toxicity, adverse effects and drug clinical uses. 
  • Develop student understanding of the knowledge required for the appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and investigations in order to formulate differential diagnosis and management plans for common diseases.
  • Develop the students critical understanding of the knowledge they have acquired and its application to their professional practice as a PA.

 

Module content:

This module will  build on the skills acquired in year 1 to further develop the clinical skills necessary for practice as a Physician Associate. It will enhance the knowledge and skills relevant to obtaining a medical history, conducting a physical examination on any patient with special sensitivity to gender, age and cultural background formulating a differential diagnosis and initial management plan, and presenting a case in a professional setting. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of the relationship of major signs and symptoms to their physiologic or pathophysiologic origins across all age groups.

The skills of effective communication in the clinician-patient relationship to establish trust, verbal and non-verbal communication together with professional behaviour will be outlined.

The training is mapped to the Physician Assistant Competence and Curriculum Framework 2012.

 


Module aims:

The overall aim of this module is to enhance critical thinking skills as well as the core clinical and procedural skills required in Physician Associate  practice as specified in the Competence and Curriculum Framework for the Physician Assistant (2012).

The module is a continuation of assessment and consultation in the clinical setting and will build upon the skills of history gathering, clinical examination, communication skills and clinical reasoning as well as a level of self-awareness and reflection appropriate for professional practice from year 1. The module enables students to experience the role of the PA in different clinical contexts.

 

Module content:

This module runs throughout the 1st year and will provide the student PA with an opportunity to develop an understanding of the profession to include history, social and policy issues,the NHS structure and related policies, medical ethics, liability, educational philosophy, certification requirements, and professional concepts/issues, including an inter-professional and multi-professional team approach to health care.

In addition the module will explore cultural issues and patient care, patient consent, risk management and quality assurance in practice. Discussion will include intellectual honesty and academic and professional conduct.

 

 

 


Module aims:

This module will promote and support the personal and professional development including attitudes and communication skills and knowledge, level of self-awareness and reflection required for professional practice as a Physician Associate to enable students to deliver holistic care. This will be achieved through a variety of activities including reflection, self-directed study, group work, analysis of situations and synthesis.

Physician Associate will gain an understanding of their professional and personal limitations. Professionalism also requires that PAs practice without impairment from substance abuse, cognitive deficiency or mental illness. Physician Associates will develop a range of skills which are considered fundamental to the role  This includes the ability to demonstrate a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to a diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements. 

On completion of the module the student will be able to demonstrate an ability to work professionally as a Physician Associate in a variety of clinical settings. The module maps to the following core competencies outlined in the Competence and Curriculum Framework for the Physician Assistant, 2012:

 2.3.1 Professional Behaviour & Probity

 2.3.2 The patient relationship

 2.3.11 Risk management

 2.3.12 Teamwork

 2.3.13 Time/resource management

 2.3.14 Maintenance of good practice

 2.3.15 Ethical and legal issues

 2.3.16 Equality and diversity

 2.3.17 Awareness of guiding principles and current developments in the NHS

 2.3.20 Moving and Handling

 

 

Module content:

  This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the community medicine placement under defined levels of supervision. Students will gain experience in an ambulatory setting that emphasises the knowledge and skills required to undertake age and gender appropriate histories and physical examinations, screening and diagnostic procedures, developing differential diagnoses,  interpreting diagnostic laboratory and imaging to establish diagnoses, and creating patient management plans. Focus will be on the care of patients throughout the lifespan that present with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building and communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.

 


Module aims:

Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Students will be exposed to patients presenting with acute and chronic medical problems. Emphasis is placed on information gathering, differential diagnosis, patient management, record keeping, performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills, follow-up care and the provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

Students will gain experience in proper and professional communication with patients, carers, patient families, supervising physicians, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

The Community Medicine clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of community medicine.
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered medical conditions, including preventative medicine, and acute and chronic illness for patients of all ages.
  • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous  documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general hospital medicine placement under defined levels of supervision. Students will gain experience in an acute hospital setting that emphasises the knowledge and skills required to undertake age and gender appropriate histories and physical examinations, screening and diagnostic procedures, developing differential diagnoses,  interpreting diagnostic laboratory and imaging to establish diagnoses, and creating patient management plans. Focus will be on the care of patients throughout the lifespan that present with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building and communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.


Module aims:

This clinical placement will provide the student PA with experience in general hospital medicine. Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor,the student will gain in-depth knowledge of a variety of medical problems and learn the skills necessary for providing patient care in an outpatient and/or inpatient setting across a patient’s adult lifespan.    Students will gain valuable experience in proper and professional communication with patients, their families, specialty medical teams, and an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Students will be exposed to patients presenting with acute and chronic medical problems.Emphasis will be placed on students achieving proficiency in:

  • information gathering
  • evaluation
  • differential diagnoses
  • patient management
  • problem solving
  • performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills
  • clinical decision making
  • record keeping
  • follow-up care
  • provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

The General Hospital Medicine clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of medicine.
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered medical conditions, including preventative medicine, and acute and chronic illness for patients of all ages.
  • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the emergency department placement under defined levels of supervision. 

Students will gain experience in an emergency department setting and will be able to elicit a problem-orientated medical history and physical examination, obtain relevant laboratory and/or diagnostic studies and assess the results, formulate a differential diagnosis and management plan. Focus will be on the care of patients throughout the lifespan that present with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building and communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.

 

 

 


Module aims:

This clinical placement will provide the student PA with experience in triage, evaluation, and management of patients in the emergency department setting. The student will have the opportunity to learn skills necessary for appropriate triage, stabilisation, evaluation, diagnosis and management of patients with traumatic injuries and acute medical and surgical illnesses, as well as management of lower acuity health disorders. Students will gain experience in proper and professional communication with patients, patient families, emergency department medical team, and the interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

 Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Emphasis will be placed on students achieving proficiency in:

  • information gathering
  • evaluation
  • differential diagnosis
  • patient management
  • problem solving
  • performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills
  • clinical decision making
  • record keeping
  • follow-up care
  • provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

The Emergency Department clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of medicine.
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered conditions in the emergency department  for patients of all ages.
  • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet program expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the obstetric and gynaecology placement under defined levels of supervision.

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet program expectations and acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice. Students will gain experience in an acute hospital setting that emphasizes the performance of age appropriate histories and physical examinations, screening and diagnostic procedures, developing differential diagnoses,  interpreting diagnostic laboratory and imaging to establish diagnoses, and creating patient management plans. Focus will be on the care of women throughout the lifespan that present with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building and communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.


Module aims:

This clinical placement will provide the student PA with experience in managing common obstetric and gynecologic care and the maintenance of obstetric and gynecologic health. Obstetric experience will include routine prenatal care.  Students will gain experience in proper and professional communication with patients, patient families, specialty medical teams, and the interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals.

Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Emphasis will be placed on students achieving proficiency in:

  • information gathering
  • evaluation
  • differential diagnoses
  • patient management
  • problem solving
  • performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills
  • clinical decision making
  • record keeping
  • follow-up care
  • provision of health education, promotion and counseling.

This obstetric and gynaecology clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of gynaecology and obstetric medicine
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered gynaecological conditions and prenatal care.
  • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience will enable the student PA to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the paediatric placement under defined levels of supervision.Students will gain experience in an acute hospital setting that emphasises the performance of age and gender appropriate histories and physical examinations, screening and diagnostic procedures, developing differential diagnoses,  interpreting diagnostic laboratory and imaging to establish diagnoses, and creating patient management plans. Focus will be on the care of the paediatric patient that presents with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building and communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse paediatric patient populations.


Module aims:

This clinical placement will provide the student PA with experience in outpatient and/or in-patient management of paediatric patients. The student will have the opportunity to perform well baby and child exams, problem-oriented examinations, evaluate common paediatric illnesses, and experience care of newborns, children, and adolescents. Special emphasis is placed on communication skills and relating sensitively to both children and parents. The student gains familiarity with normal growth and development, paediatric preventive medicine and evaluation and management of common childhood illnesses.

Students will also gain experience in proper and professional communication with the paediatric medical team, and an interdisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. 

Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team.Emphasis will be placed on students achieving proficiency in:

  • information gathering
  • evaluation
  • differential diagnosis
  • patient management
  • problem solving
  • performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills
  • clinical decision making
  • record keeping
  • follow-up care
  • provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

The Paediatric clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of paediatric medicine.
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered medical and surgical conditions, including preventative medicine, and acute and chronic illness for children and adolescents
  • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Module content:

This module builds on the learning from the first year of study introducing the student to the Physician Associate profession  and includes history, social and policy issues, the NHS structure and related policies, medical ethics, liability, educational philosophy, certification requirements, and professional concepts/issues, including an inter-professional and multi-professional team approach to health care.

The module will explore in more depth cultural issues and patient care, patient consent, risk management and quality assurance in practice. Discussion relating to intellectual honesty and academic and professional conduct will be expanded.


Module aims:

This module builds on year 1 to further promote and support the personal and professional development, attitudes and communication skills and knowledge, level of self-awareness and reflection required for professional practice as a Physician Associate to enable students to deliver holistic care. This will be achieved through a variety of activities including reflection, self-directed study, group work, analysis of situations and synthesis.

Physician Associates will further their knowledge relating to professional and personal limitations in practice. Successful completion of this module will enable students to work competently and safely as a Physician Associate demonstrating a high level of responsibility, ethical practice, sensitivity to diverse patient population and adherence to legal and regulatory requirements.

 

Module content:

This module builds on year 1 and will provide a comprehensive overview of anatomy, physiology, pathology, aetiology, epidemiology including the presentation, management and evaluation of various diseases and disorders. The integration of science and practice will be covered in more depth enabling students to further develop the ability and competence in the application of clinical medical science knowledge under defined levels of clinical supervision to ensure patient focused holistic care and treatment.

Emphasis will be placed on the more advanced principles and processes of clinical medical science at the following levels:

  • whole body
  • organ
  • cellular
  • molecular

Students will gain an understanding of the basic principles of:

  • Disease processes
  • Pathophysiology
  • Pharmacology

Students will apply this evidence-based knowledge in the:

  • Clinical assessment of patients
  • Management of patients
  • Investigation of patients
  • Interpretation of diagnostic tests and investigations

Module aims:

The module aims to:

  • Provide the student with sufficient in-depth knowledge of cellular, organ, molecular and whole body physiology necessary for the understanding of the principles of disease processes, pathophysiology and pharmacology at an advancing level
  • Develop student understanding of the scientific concepts of drug classification, mechanisms of action, toxicity, adverse effects and drug clinical uses.
  • Assist the student to further develop the knowledge required for the appropriate ordering and interpretation of diagnostic tests and investigations in order to formulate differential diagnoses and management for common diseases
  • Enhance the students critical understanding of the knowledge they have acquired and its application to professional practice as a PA.

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general surgical placement under defined levels of supervision. During the course a student will have hands-on experiences in pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care of the general surgery patient. This placement will emphasize the use of a surgery-focused history, physical examination, diagnostic laboratory and imaging appropriate to the patient and circumstances of the surgery. The student will actively participate during the surgery and follow-up care. Focus will be on the care of surgical patients across the life span and can include emergent, acute, chronic and preventive health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, communication and interprofessional relationships and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.


Module aims:

Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Students will be exposed to patients presenting with acute and chronic surgical problems. Emphasis is placed on information gathering, differential diagnoses, patient management, record keeping, performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills, follow-up care and the provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

Students will gain experience in proper and professional communication with patients, carers, patient families, supervising physicians, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.Students will be exposed to patients presenting with acute and chronic medical problems.Emphasis will be placed on students achieving proficiency in:

  • information gathering
  • evaluation
  • differential diagnoses
  • patient management
  • problem solving
  • performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills
  • clinical decision making
  • record keeping
  • follow-up care
  • provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

 

The General Surgical clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

    • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of general surgery
    • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of surgical patients and become familiar with the clinical presentations and management of common surgical problems.
    • The student is involved in pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative patient care and develops an understanding of the PA as a member of the surgical team
    • Perform to acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
    • Develop skills necessary in evaluating patients in the perioperative period and to optimize patients' medical conditions in preparation for surgery
    • Learn the natural history of common surgical diseases and the proper operative management and their postoperative treatment including participation in the management of acute pain and postoperative complications

 

  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a basic differential diagnosis. 
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the  management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

 

 

Module content:

This module introduces students to value based components of medicine such as teamwork, professionalism, ethics, patient safety, quality improvement, dealing with complexity and safeguarding.

The students will learn the clinical significance of evidence based diagnostic testing and how to apply this to their current and future clinical practices. Alongside this student will be taught the importance of the applications of public health topics covering: epidemiology, inequalities in healthcare, health promotion and the significance of environmental/social aspects that contribute to disease.


Module aims:

The module aims to develop high standards of clinical working using evidence base practice with the underpinning elements of value-based medicine. In addition, students will develop the knowledge and skills to become safe and competent practitioners. The module also aims to encourage students to critically analyse current literature especially in the context of diagnostic testing and professional behaviours.

Module content:

The knowledge, critical skills and clinical knowledge that have been accumulated during the taught modules and the clinical placements will have provided the students with the ability to complete a research project. This will help students to better understand:
• The identification and appraisal of the strengths, limitations and implications for research;
• Ethics and research governance processes;
• Systematic and literature reviews;
• Research Methodologies in health care settings;
• Quantitative approaches including statistical analysis;
• Qualitative approaches;
• Mixed Methods;
• The research journey from proposal to completion;
• The roles and responsibilities of the researcher;
• Dissemination of evidence through, publication, posters, conference presentations, journal articles, texts, reports for policy and practice.


Module aims:

The module is the culmination of the student’s postgraduate study and will enable the student to draw on and contribute to the development of the growing body of knowledge in the broad biomedical, clinical, and medical science fields of relevance to the Physician Associate role.
The main aims of the module are to provide students with an understanding of rigorous methods used in systematic reviewing and evidence synthesis and the rationale behind these methods. It will equip students with the essential skills required to carry out a systematic review relating to a range of health care related questions (for example, treatment effectiveness, diagnostic and qualitative research questions).

Module content:

This supervised clinical practice experience enables students to meet programme expectations, acquire the competencies needed for clinical PA practice and enable them to deliver holistic care and treatment within the Mental Health placement under defined levels of supervision. Students will gain experience in key components of mental health care in both hospitals and in the community. It will focus on knowledge, skills and competencies required in mental health settings, underpinned by evidence based practice that emphasizes the knowledge and skills to undertake age and gender appropriate histories and physical examinations, screening and diagnostic procedures, developing differential diagnoses, interpreting diagnostic laboratory and imaging to establish diagnoses. In partnership with patients and their support team create joint management plans. Focus will be on the care of patients (including physical health care) throughout the life course that present with emergent, acute, chronic and preventive mental health needs. Students will continue to develop skills in clinical reasoning, inter-professional relationship building, communication and ensuring an ethical approach to diverse patient populations.


Module aims:

Working alongside a designated clinical supervisor the student PA will actively participate in the health care system as part of the multi-professional team. Students will be exposed to patients presenting with mental ill-health problems. Emphasis is placed on information gathering, differential diagnosis, patient management, record keeping, performance of diagnostic and therapeutic skills, follow-up care and the provision of health education, promotion and counselling.

Students will gain experience in enhanced level of communication skills with patients, carers, patient families, supervising physicians, and the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

The Mental Health clinical placement provides an opportunity to:

  • Enhance learning and gain supervised experience in the principles and practice of mental health.
  • Advance student knowledge and skills in evaluation and management of commonly encountered mental ill-health and display an understanding of mental ill-health and its prevalence
  • Understand the importance of structured clinical judgement in the assessment and management of mental health conditions.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how diagnoses are made within mental health services.
  • Understand the common mental health problems and their symptoms, including: anxiety-related conditions; depression; schizophrenia; eating disorders; personality disorders and addictions.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the use of the biopsychosocial model in the treatment and care of people who experience mental health problems (e.g. biological, psychological, and social models) conditions, including preventative medicine, use of medication, and psychological interventions over a patient’s life course. .
  • Maintain acceptable standards of professional behaviour and ethical practice
  • Demonstrate competence in the synthesis of findings from the history, physical examination and commonly used investigations to formulate a differential diagnosis.
  • Undertake accurate and contemporaneous documentation and information management
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply evidence based interventions in the management of patients
  • Employ reflective practice

Demonstrate and understanding of mental health law within inpatient and community settings
(Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act) .

Who you’ll Learn from

James Ennis

Academic Lead Clinical Skills
James Ennis

Wendi Heathcock

Senior Lecturer
Wendi Heathcock

Jack Callaghan

Senior Lecturer
Dr  Jack Callaghan

Professor Steven Jones

Professor; Programme Leader for Neurodevelopmental Conditions PGCert
Professor Steven Jones

Alice Lyth

Senior Lecturer
Alice Lyth

How you'll Learn

The theory and clinical aspect of the course will cover community medicine; general hospital medicine; general surgery; accident and emergency; mental health; obstetrics and gynaecology; and paediatrics (primarily acute setting). 

You will sit a national exam at the end of the second year, including a Multiple Choice Question paper and an Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE). 

 

Beyond the Classroom

You will undertake compulsory placements in:  

  • community medicine 
  • emergency department 
  • general hospital medicine 
  • general surgical 
  • mental health 
  • obstetrics and gynaecology 
  • paediatrics. 

 

Entry Requirements

2:1 honours degree

We have one intake per year for this course in January. Applications for our January 2025 intake must be made through UCAS. UCAS is the central universities and colleges admissions service responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK. Although this is a Postgraduate course, you will be applying via Undergraduate UCAS. 

Applicants should normally have: 

  • a 2:1 honours degree or above (or accepted equivalent) in life/health sciences, e.g. Medical Science, Biomedical Science, Nursing or one of the Allied Health Professions (Radiography, Radiotherapy, Physiotherapy, etc.). 
  • a lower second class honours (2:2) degree will only be considered if you have patient facing experience at a professional level (minimum of 1 year). 
  • successfully passed a minimum of 1 module in human anatomy/physiology at Level 4 (first year undergraduate) or above (a transcript may be requested). 
  • Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency to IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any band or equivalent. 
  • Applicants must apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and Occupational Health check, and register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. 
  • Applicants will normally need to demonstrate that they have completed a minimum of 70hrs work experience in a health or social care setting. This experience can be paid employment, voluntary work or job shadowing. 
  • Acceptance on the course is subject to an assessment interview. Details of our interview dates will be released online soon. 

This course is not available to international students.

Where you'll Study Wheeler, Chester

Fees and Funding

£18,500 per year (2024/25)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

This course is not available to international students.

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Your future Career

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .