Physician associate

Physician associates support doctors in the diagnosis and management of patients.

As a physician associate, you might work in a GP surgery or be based in a hospital, but wherever you work, you'll have direct contact with patients.

Working life

You’ll be a graduate who has undertaken postgraduate training and you'll work under the supervision of a doctor. You’ll be trained to perform a number of day-to-day tasks including:

  • taking medical histories from patients
  • performing physical examinations
  • diagnosing illnesses
  • seeing patients with long-term chronic conditions
  • performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
  • analysing test results
  • developing management plans
  • provide health promotion and disease prevention advice for patients.

Most physician associates currently work in general practice, acute (internal) medicine and emergency medicine.

Andy King

Physician associate
I enjoy the patient contact and the best part is building a professional relationship with a number of my patients.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need a bioscience-related first degree to get onto one of the training programmes available. Undergraduate integrated Master of Physician Associate Studies programmes are now available and these courses require A-levels or equivalent for entry.

Alternatively, if you’re a registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, allied health professional or midwife you can also apply to become a physician associate. There is also a level 7 apprenticeship for physician associates. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification.

Must have skills

Don’t forget – academic qualifications aren't everything. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate experience of working with the public, an interest in health or social care, the right values to work for the NHS and excellent communication skills.

Training and development 

Physician associate training usually lasts two years, with students studying for 46-48 weeks each year and involves many aspects of an undergraduate or postgraduate medical degree. The training focuses principally on general adult medicine in hospital and general practice, rather than specialty care.

There will also be 1,600 hours of clinical training, taking place in a range of settings, including 350 hours in general hospital medicine.  You'll also spend a minimum of 90 hours in other settings including mental health, surgery and paediatrics. You may be eligible to receive some funding but financial arrangements differ between universities so you'll need to contact them to see what might be available.  

With further training and/or experience, you may be able to develop your career further and apply for vacancies in areas such as further specialisation, management, research, or teaching.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours with the need to work flexibly over a seven day period. As a physician associate, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 7 with internships starting at band 6.

You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

  • Displaying 1 - 5 of 40 matches

    Physician Associate Studies - Postgraduate Taught (UK Students Only)

    Swansea University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      MSc
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Physician associate studies
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01792 513400
    • Region
      Wales
      Admissions address
      Singleton Park
      Swansea
      SA2 8PP
      United Kingdom

    Physician Associate Studies (PGDip)

    University of Manchester

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Postgraduate Diploma - PgDip
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Physician associate studies
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      +44 (0)161 275 5220
    • Region
      North West
      Admissions address
      University Recruitment And Adm
      Oxford Road
      Manchester
      M13 9PL
      United Kingdom

    Physician Associate Studies (Taught Postgraduate)

    University of Chester

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Master of Science - MSc (PG)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Physician associate studies
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01244 511000
    • Region
      North West
      Admissions address
      Parkgate Road
      Chester
      CH1 4BJ
      United Kingdom

    Physician Associate Studies (Postgraduate)

    Edge Hill University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Master of Science - MSc (PG)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Physician associate studies
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      +44 (0)1695 657000
    • Region
      North West
      Admissions address
      St Helens Road
      Ormskirk
      L39 4QP
      United Kingdom

    Physician Associate Studies

    Canterbury Christ Church University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Master of Science - MSc (PG)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      2 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Physician associate studies
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01227 782900
    • Region
      South East
      Admissions address
      Rowan Williams Court
      30 Pembroke Court
      Chatham
      ME4 4AW
      United Kingdom
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