Study options
- Starting in
- January 2026
- Location
- Whitechapel
- Fees
- No – your employer pays your tuition fees. In addition, you will earn a salary while you study.
What you'll study
This apprenticeship is offered to UK based healthcare practitioners and will prepare you to become a physician associate; a collaborative healthcare professional with a generalist medical education. In the UK, physician associates (PAs) work in a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, surgeons, and GPs, providing medical care to patients in hospital and community settings.
The curriculum is aligned with both the needs of healthcare employers and the strategic aims of the NHS.
You will study through a mixture of modules, which will be taught in blocks on campus, via online learning, and work-based learning including clinical placements. You’ll be expected to gain competencies as outlined in the General Medical Council (GMC) curriculum.
As an apprentice, you will be working for 80% of your contracted week and your line manager will be expected to assign work to you that allows for the application of learning in the workplace and development of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours in the Apprenticeship Standard.
Years 1 and 2 will start with an induction week on campus, designed as an introduction to the curriculum, and you’ll complete two taught modules during each year of the programme. In Year 1, you’ll be introduced to the knowledge and skills fundamental to the practice of medicine, and in Year 2, you’ll build on this foundation to include specialisms such as women and children’s health, surgery and emergency medicine. In the final 6 months, you will complete a short piece of research that develops skills in evidence based medicine and quality improvement.
Students who successfully pass the final exams and are in good standing with no ongoing fitness to practice or other professionalism issues, are entered into the national licensing Physician Associate exam, which acts as the End Point Assessment for this apprenticeship. Successful completion results in the award of the degree apprenticeship and MSc Physician Associate Studies qualification.
During your studies you'll have access to support at every stage in your degree, including one-to-one academic guidance, tailored workshops, and external guest speakers.
Structure
- Five compulsory taught modules
- Research project
- UK Physician Associate national examination
Core modules
- Year 1
- Applied Medical and Social Sciences (30 credits)
- Clinical Medicine: Physical and Mental Health (30 credits)
- Year 2
- Women and Children's Health (30 credits)
- Surgery and Medicine (30 credits)
- Community Medicine (30 credits)
- Year 3
- Healthcare Improvement (30 credits)
Compulsory/Core modules
There are two areas within this module: a. Clinical Medicine: Physical Health - this area establishes the basic foundation of knowledge that is relevant and essential to a PA¿s practice of general medicine. A basic introduction to pharmacology will be included. Communication and clinical skills will form an integral part of this module. b. Clinical Medicine: Mental Health ¿ this area will take a holistic view of how to care for individuals with mental health, psychiatric, substance misuse and cognitive problems. You will have the opportunity to apply and develop this knowledge further within your first clinical placement.
This module is taught in year 1 but is linked to module IHS7115 taught in year 2 of the course. Most weeks, you will spend at least one day learning in the community. As your skills develop, you will start to manage your own caseload under the supervision of your GP tutor. We will focus on the management of chronic conditions as well as introduce new fields of medicine, not previously studied in detail. For example; dermatology, ENT, ophthalmology, rheumatology/ musculoskeletal medicine. The end of year assessments will encompass elements from all aspects of the course taught in the first year, and will not be restricted to the module. This highlights the integrated nature of the course.
This module is a natural extension of the 'Clinical Medicine: Physical and Mental Health' module students undertake in year 1, where they cover much of what might generally be regarded as core clinical knowledge and skills as they relate to medical practice. The first part of the module includes taught theory components in the fields of cardiology, critical care, endocrinology, haematology, gastroenterology, nephrology, oncology and respiratory medicine. Clinical medicine and surgery is taught as 3 blocks; 1. The first block focuses on general surgical problems seen in adulthood 2. The second block constitutes medicine for the elderly, and end of life care 3. The third block constitutes the emergency medicine component of your training Care of the Older Adult - will provide a comprehensive overview of the health and social needs of the older adult, the problems and challenges we may face as we age and how services might be reorganised in order to meet them. A special emphasis will be placed on the understanding and evaluation of frailty, dementia, rehabilitation and social care as well as end of life care.
Year 2 begins with Care of Women and Children. This module will deliver a comprehensive exposure to the specific health needs of women throughout their lives as well as caring for children and the unique skills and knowledge required to do so. You will explore the various stages of human development from conception difficulties to puberty. Many students find this an exhilarating experience; being part of and witnessing the anticipation of a new human life coming into the world can be very rewarding. Equally, the loss of child can be the darkest moment of someone¿s life. These experiences can have a profound effect on a professional¿s future career choices. You will spend time learning theory before clinical placements in gynaecology, community obstetrics, sexual health and paediatrics.
You will study this module which builds upon IHS7112 during Year 2 of the course. Most weeks, you will spend at least one day learning in the community. As your skills develop, you will start to manage your own caseload under the supervision of your GP tutor. We will focus on the management of chronic conditions as well as introduce new fields of medicine, not previously studied in detail. For example; dermatology, ENT, ophthalmology, rheumatology/ musculoskeletal medicine. The end of year assessment will encompass elements from all aspects of the course taught over the two years, and will not be restricted to the module. This highlights the integrated nature of the course.
The aim of this module is to establish a core foundation in the fundamental of clinical medicine and introduction to the healthcare system in the UK. This module will provide the core foundation necessary for MSc Physician Associate students to commence their training in clinical medicine in NHS. This module covers introduction to basic medical sciences, anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. It is anticipated that most students would have covered some of these areas as part of their undergraduate degree programmes. However, the module aims to review and revise this core material, whilst tackling any deficiencies in knowledge. The module is delivered through a combination of lectures, practical, and self-directed learning.
Assessment
- 83% Modules
- 17% Research project
Modules are assessed by coursework, clinical log book and/or written exams.
The spiral curriculum is assessed in both years:
- Year 1 exams will cover the learning objectives of the first year.
- Year 2 exams will cover the learning objectives from year 2 (24 months).
Some module assessments, such as the portfolio of professional practice, are workplace projects as Degree Apprenticeships are based upon an applied learning pedagogy.
End Point Assessment
At present the Physician Associate National Licensing Exam (PANE) is the End Point Assessment (EPA) for the degree apprenticeship.
Research project
You will undertake a research project in your final year. This module aims to support you in developing into a highly effective and employable clinician, and enable you to meet the challenges of providing high-quality healthcare that responds to changing patient needs. It will develop your ability to practice evidence-based medicine and to use quality improvement methodology to create sustained improvements in healthcare settings.
Teaching
This course is delivered through blended learning, both in your workplace and at the university - a combination of classroom and online lectures, team-based and flipped classroom model - where you will digest the learning material before your lecture and classroom time will be used to deepen understanding through discussion with peers, and problem-solving activities facilitated by teachers.
All clinical skills will be delivered face-to-face at Robin Brook Centre, St Bartholomew’s Hospital. You will have clinical placements throughout.
There is a spiral progression curriculum and you are expected to build on and use material taught throughout the course.
Where you'll learn
Facilities
- Clinical skills labs at the Robin Brook Centre, West Smithfield campus
- Brand new Graduate Centre, offering purpose-built study spaces and an exclusive rooftop common room
- Access to some of London’s outstanding facilities including the British Library, Senate House Library and Copac
Campus
Learning and teaching occurs in a variety of educational settings, both within your own workplace and at Queen Mary University of London's Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (Whitechapel campus and occasionally at West Smithfield campus).
Queen Mary will be working with a number of NHS Trusts across London to deliver the Masters Apprenticeship programme.
About the Institute
Institute of Health Sciences Education
The programme is taught at the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE). The IHSE has a long history in medical and clinical education. In addition to a wealth of advanced courses, it conducts medical education research and evaluations, and leads quality assurance processes.
The Institute is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry – a leading UK medical and dental school and major faculty of Queen Mary University of London, which is at the forefront of medical education and research. We continue to make a real impact on health-related challenges for the benefit of local and global populations while providing the best in modern medical training. Our academics are leaders in their respective fields committed to sharing their expertise with aspiring clinicians and health professionals.
Career paths
The Physician Associate (PA) career path is highly attractive for anyone who wants a career in healthcare. Currently, employment opportunities for PAs in the UK far exceed the number of candidates available to fill them, giving PAs tremendous flexibility to live and work anywhere in the country. Further information can be found on the Faculty of Physician Associates website
- 96% of Institute postgraduate taught graduates are in highly skilled work or graduate study (2019/20)
—“I chose Queen Mary because it’s a very reputable medical school. I’d say my favourite thing about being a post-grad student at Queen Mary, is that it gives you the strength and resilience to continue in your studies since it’s quite a challenging degree. But it’s also very rewarding. It’s a really nice little community.”
Jhanvi Karia, MSc Physician Associate Studies (2024)
Fees and funding
Part-time study
January 2026 | 30 months
- No – your employer pays your tuition fees. In addition, you will earn a salary while you study.
Unconditional deposit
Home: Not applicable
Overseas: £2000
Information about deposits
Queen Mary alumni can get a £1000, 10% or 20% discount on their fees depending on the programme of study. Find out more about the Alumni Loyalty Award
Funding
Your employer will pay your Queen Mary tuition fees, normally via the apprenticeship levy.
You will be employed by your NHS Trust in a suitable role and continue to receive a salary for your work during your apprenticeship.
Our Advice and Counselling service offers specialist support on financial issues, which you can access as soon as you apply for a place at Queen Mary. Before you apply, you can access our funding guides and advice on managing your money.
Entry requirements
UK
Degree requirements
A 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in a Life Sciences, Biomedical or Health Profession Degree.
Find out more about how to apply for our postgraduate taught courses.
International
English language requirements
The English language requirements for our programmes are indicated by English bands, and therefore the specific test and score acceptable is based on the band assigned to the academic department within which your chosen course of study is administered. Note that for some academic departments there are programmes with non-standard English language requirements.
The English Language requirements for entry to postgraduate taught and research programmes in the Institute of Health Sciences Education falls within the following English band:
Band 4: IELTS (Academic) minimum score 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking
We accept a range of English tests and qualifications categorised in our English bands for you to demonstrate your level of English Language proficiency. See all accepted English tests that we deem equivalent to these IELTS scores.
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa.