Physician Associate Studies (Undergraduate) MPAS

University of Central Lancashire

**Course overview**- The integrated Master’s in Physician Associate Studies provides an exciting opportunity for you to become a Physician Associate, a medical associate profession, combining university study with practical work-based placements.- This four-year degree takes you through a rigorous training programme to exit with a professional qualification and a master’s degree. The role of a Physician Associate includes interviewing and examining patients, ordering tests and making decisions about patient management.- PAs are trained to be generalist medical practitioners with opportunities to work in numerous specialties. Our programme teaches the fundamentals of medical sciences in interactive groups, practical sessions and lectures. These are supported by case-based learning and clinical placements, enabling you to consolidate and contextualise your knowledge. In Phase I (Years 1 and 2) you study alongside MBBS students, with slight variation in second year, whilst in Phase II (Years 3 and 4) you study alongside our postgraduate entry MSc Physician Associate Practice students.- From the start of the course clinical and communication skills are taught using our state-of-the-art facilities, volunteer patients and simulated role players. Utilising a spiral curriculum, knowledge will be revisited and clinically applied to direct patient care, preparing you for clinical practice.**Why study with us**- A unique programme, the first of its kind in the UK that leads to an integrated undergraduate master’s degree and ability to practice as a Physician Associate.- Master of Physician Associate Studies (Honours) is ranked 2nd in the North West with 87% of students satisfied with the quality of teaching (Guardian University Guide 2021)- Our School of Medicine is ranked as the Top Medical School in North West England (The Guardian University Guide 2021)**Further information**- Our programme teaches the fundamentals of medical sciences in interactive small groups practical sessions and lectures. These are supported by case-based learning, providing an opportunity for you to consolidate and contextualise your knowledge. From the start of the course clinical and communication skills are taught using our state-of-the-art facilities, volunteer patients and simulated role players.- During the first two years of the programme, you will be learning alongside students who are enrolled onto the MBBS programme. The final two years will employ a spiral curriculum principle to enable continuation of developing confident and competent students to begin their career in the healthcare arena.- Outside of the classroom environment, the provision of clinical placements includes a full spectrum of opportunities: urban and rural, specialised hospital and general practice; single-handed or multi-disciplinary. Teamwork is an essential quality of being a PA. As a new member of the healthcare team you will be able to influence teamwork, within the support framework of your clinical supervisor, to enhance patient outcomes.- The clinically based placements will help to illustrate how teams work within the NHS. The geographical location of the University is ideal to enable this amazing combination of clinical opportunities, of which we are very proud.