Physician Associate Studies, MPAS
Swansea UniversitySwansea, Wales
Course overview
Please note that this course is currently paused and will not be accepting applications for the 2026–2027 academic year. Are you interested in a career as a Physician Associate, working as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team in hospitals and GP surgeries, assessing, diagnosing and managing patient treatment? Our integrated two-year Masters in Physician Associate Studies (MPAS) degree is a full-time, intensive educational course teaching you to work as a safe and competent clinically trained healthcare professional in the National Health Service.
Year one will be university-based, comprising of systems-based clinical learning and practical sessions led by experienced clinicians. In addition to this you will have early exposure to clinical placements in primary care and later in the year exposure to secondary care. Year two will be predominantly placement based with placements across Wales and subsequent periods of time spent back in university to consolidate learning.
In clinical placement, you will apply your learning in the care of real patients under the supervision of a clinically qualified mentor. Throughout your degree you will have opportunities to work effectively with patients, develop a range of practical and clinical reasoning skills, and reflect on practice to identify your individual learning needs. You must pass all assessments to be eligible to progress from year one into year two of the programme and from year two to the PA national examination.
Regardless of which programme you have undertaken in the UK, you must pass the PA national examination to enter professional practice and work as a qualified PA.
Key highlights
- Systems-based clinical learning and practicals led by experienced clinicians
- Early clinical placements in primary care, then secondary care exposure
- Second year predominantly placement-based at sites across Wales
- Supervised care of real patients with a clinically qualified mentor
- Develops practical, clinical reasoning and reflective practice skills
- Prepares you to sit the PA national examination
Entry requirements
To apply for this programme, you must have achieved the following by the time of application: AND achieved or predicted* to achieve a minimum of one of the following: Examples of relevant healthcare and biosciences degrees include: *Pending results of degrees used in support of applications must be confirmed no later than 31 July in the year of intended enrolment. Offers which are conditional on degree results will be withdrawn if results are outstanding after this date. Concurrent enrolment University regulations do not permit concurrent enrolment in the Physician Associate Studies programme and any other award-bearing programme at this or any other university.
All other degree programmes must be completed before enrolment on this programme. Previous study This programme is not open to applicants who have previously pursued a Physician Associate Studies programme (fully or in part), and transfers from other PA Studies programmes are not permitted. We do not consider applications from students who have previously commenced a Physician Associate Studies, Medicine or health related programme and not progressed due to academic failure, fitness to practise or professionalism issues.
If an applicant has left a previous programme for other reasons, their application may be considered on a case-by-case basis, which must be supported by evidence provided by their previous Higher Education Institution. Bursary eligibility The Physician Associate Studies MPAS programme is open only to applications from UK/EU (Home) candidates who are eligible for NHS Bursary funding. Information about how to confirm your eligibility can be found on the University's Fee Status Assessment page.
Information on the NHS Bursary can be found here.
Scholarships
Chevening Scholarships
International Postgraduate Alumni Bursaries
First Class - £5,000 per year; Second Class, First division - £3,000 per year; Second Class, Second division - £1,000 per year; Taught Masters to Research Degree - £3,000 per year subject to satisfactory progress.
Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarship (SUIPRES)
The SUIPRES Scholarship covers the difference between the International and the Home tuition fee rate for the duration of the PhD/Professional Doctorate programme.
Careers this course leads to
- Physician Associate
- Physician Associate in General Practice
- Hospital Physician Associate
- Emergency Medicine Physician Associate
Admission
Applications are made through AHZ at no cost. Share your transcripts, English test scores and personal statement, and your AHZ Counsellor will review your profile, submit your application to Swansea University, and guide you through interview, offer, CAS and visa — right up to enrolment.
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