PgDip Physician Associate Studies University of Birmingham January 2017 Entry

Hi Sofia,

Congratulations on getting an offer, I have an interview for the January Intake coming up, would appreciate if you could give a couple of pointers, in particular, regarding the scenario questions?

Also have you tried looking on SpareRoom?

Reply 2

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Hi Crunchynapkin, and congrats on your interview!

My interview was generally very relaxed ( a was a bit stressed, but mainly because that morning I got the wrong train and ended up in London instead Birm New Street! ), and I loved it compared to the interview I had at St. George (you can prepare for Birmingham and is interview based, St. George is all based on attitudinal tests and you really can't prepare for them). So honestly, wouldn't worry much about scenario questions, as they weren't at all what I was expecting (St. George was more scenario based, Birmingham is literally more a friendly chat). They vaguely asked me one scenario question, and it will probably be tied up to something you said.

About the rest of the interview, there were 3 interviewers, one was an american PA, one was a lecturer on the course, and a third person was a GP, all of them were woman, which, to be perfectly honest, made me feel more at ease. The first two ladies made the questions, the GP was definitely more locking at my body language and probably assessing the fairness of the interview.
Then they will ask you more specific questions were you need to have researched and prepared for. Know by memory the 6 C's of the NHS, know general medical ethics, the medical oath and in general PA history, generally in the UK, but if you know some history of PA in the US is always a plus. You need to have clear ideas of what a PA can do and what is allowed to do at the moment, and how this could change. Think about how PA, as a new profession, can find obstacles during their settlement and what these obstacles take the form of (public opinion, other members of staff etc.). Research a lot of PBL, not only what generally it is, but how the whole process of PBL works, so it's better if you find examples that show you how a PBL session is run, with how students are approached and what they are asked to do. And compare and contrast Birmingham course with the ones of other university, with clear idea why you chose Birmingham. Hope this helps! As I said, the interview process is actually enjoyable, the campus is lovely, and the people at Occupational Health (where you will be interview) are so sweet and helpful! (they were so nice about my train accident!)

Yes, checked spare room but apparently it's too early for January rent, everything available at the moment is immediate let, a couple are for November let. Will start looking again in December, as it would be a shame becoming obsessed over a flat that might be taken by someone before January. Also, the majority of studio flats I have seen are quite distant from the campus & hospital, I have seen some which are very nice and extremely close, but are for 4 or 6 people, that's why I am considering the idea of a house share!

Good luck on your interview and let me know if you are successful! :smile:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 3

Original post by SCBbio

Hi Sofia,That must have been terrible to end up at the wrong station, so far away! Thanks for the interview process, I was only expecting a brief insight but you've provided much more I will take it all into account for my preparation, thanks againIt's unfortunate rooms can't be put on hold, have you considered on campus accommodation?I will let you know how it goesGood Luck with finding your accommodation and future studies, hopefully I'll be joining you in January

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Ahahahah, sorry if I overwhelmed you with information, I always try to give all the information I can because it costs me nothing and I always remember how frustrating was for me obtaining detailed info about the interview!

For the accommodation there re mainly 5 issues:

1) Cheapest accomodation is postgraduate sharing with undergraduate. I am having none of that! With a course that requires 50+ hours per week and a lot of individual reading, I am definitely not staying in the same building, let alone sharing a flat with undergraduates that will have extremely few hours of contact time and plenty of will to throw loud parties/pre-drinks. So the only option is university postgraduate only accommodation (studio flats).
2)Studio flat prices are between 205-250. Definitely too much, counting that they offer only 42 or 50 weeks contract, and we need the latter because our course is 48 weeks, we are looking between 9,500 to 12,600 per year.
3) University accommodation doesn't provide washing machines in any of the flats, only communal laundrette that you have to pay for. I ad to deal with them for 3 years, absolutely hate them!
4) Birmingham Uni has a no pet policy, all private landlords that I have been talking to would accept my hamster.
5) Talked to the accommodation service and nothing is available at the moment, you can make an application and you will be placed on a waiting list. If you are lucky, something might become free for January, but it's probably not going to be what you are looking for.

Overall, I am quite disappointed by postgraduate accommodation. They should offer something for nursing, medical & PA students which is more affordable, has all facilities and is generally quite than the rest of undergraduate accommodation. That's why I am looking into private accommodation.

Again good luck for tomorrow, and if you happen to ask them when they will make the last offers for the course, that will be great, as I am very bored and would like them to get on with sending us course info, like textbooks, timetable, etc. :smile:

Reply 5

Sounds like you've done your research for the accommodation,Im not feeling too confident about the interview and since you said you heard back on the same day as your interview and I still haven't heard back, it's more discouraging.

Good luck with your future studies and hunt for accommodation, thanks again for the help!

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 6

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Oh you definitely shouldn't start worrying now, I know some people are being interviewed tomorrow, so there is still time between tomorrow afternoon and Monday for them to give you an immediate answer! In my case, I was the last interview slot on the last day of interviews for that month! And remember that they say it would usually take them a minimum of 14 working days (so 3 weeks from tomorrow) to get back to you, sometimes even more than that. So I would wait at least 4 to 5 weeks before starting worrying!

Good luck and if you get in, let me know! :smile:

Reply 7

Thanks for the reassurance
I will post here if I get the offer.

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 8

Hey Sofia,

My name is Jess, I'm 21 years old and also have a firm offer to start the Physician Associate 2017 course at Birmingham too!

I will be living at home though and commuting to cut costs.

Are you still planning on going to the open evening on Tues 25th Oct by any chance? I phoned up and they said it would be beneficial for current offer holders so think I will go :smile:

Nice to know someone else on the course!

Jess

Reply 9

Original post by Laugh Each Day

Nice to know someone else on the course!

Jess

Hi Jess,

Nice to meet you! Started to think University of Birmingham didn't give any offers this year for 2017 entry so nice to know you're starting in January :lol:

I think I am going, because frankly I have very little info about the course so far and trying to reach them on the phone or via email is basically impossible! Would be nice to have an idea of timetables, course material and what's happening about the "possible further funding " they mentioned on their website.

P.S. Happen to know anyone else that is starting in January that is also seeking for accommodation? Struggling to find people, and it doesn't help that we are the only cohort without a Facebook group :/

Reply 10

Haha well at least there's two of us!

I couldn't agree with you more! It's like pulling teeth trying to phone up the university and find anything out, I keep getting vague answers saying stuff like 'Nothing has been confirmed yet blah blah blah.' The course is under three months away for goodness sake :P

Further funding? I doubt we'll be given any? Yeah I'm going to write out a list of questions that I have and bombard them aha.

I don't unfortunately, haven't found anyone else yet :/

Where is home for you out of interest? Are you close to Bham?

Reply 11

Do you think a facebook group hasn't been made because they haven't filled all of the places yet so not many would join?

Also off topic, have you managed to get the BCG jab yet for occupational health? Tried my GP but they're refusing to give it to me, so phoned up a travel clinic and apparently there is a shortage atm. I have also phoned up occupational health at the university and left a message but so far no response. Am running out of options...

P.S Probs better to PM me your response to all of this :tongue:

Reply 12

leaspiree

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Thanks for the reassurance
I will post here if I get the offer.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Hi everyone!

I also had an interview at the University of Birmingham for their Jan 2017 entry. Similarly to Crunchynapkin I didn't hear back and it's been two weeks. I did however call them yesterday, and the gentleman on the phone was so kind to let me know that I have received an offer and he was surprised to hear that I have not received an email or any correspondence informing me of this. So I would recommend giving them a call crunchynapkin, their number is on the Universty of Birmingham website and whoever answers usually transfers your call to the physicians associate admin.

I am quite wary to get excited unless I receive some sort of confirmation :/

Reply 13

Original post by leaspiree

Wow that must've been a massive relief.
I am really eager to find out, but it's only been five days since my interview. I will definitely be calling in after the two weeks are up.

Have you tried checking your application decision status here:
https://sits.bham.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_lgn

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 14

Original post by Laugh Each Day

Yeah apparently they have a problem with landlines, but it's been three months
now, time to sort it maybe? :'D :zomg:

Agree with you, at least some information should be expected at this point! Though Russel group Unis meant to be a showcase of excellence in every aspect?! :colone:

I agree with the funding, but one can hope that maybe they'll give us a few extra.. (the north west pilot students are getting iPad for christ sake! )

Original post by Laugh Each Day

Do you think a facebook group hasn't been made because they haven't filled all of the places yet so not many would join?Also off topic, have you managed to get the BCG jab yet for occupational health? Tried my GP but they're refusing to give it to me, so phoned up a travel clinic and apparently there is a shortage atm. I have also phoned up occupational health at the university and left a message but so far no response. Am running out of options...P.S Probs better to PM me your response to all of this

Nah I talked to the girl that run the PA society, apparently is too early to create a fb group... :K:

I know a nurse that warned me that GP can be funny about these type of vaccinations, so she said she would do the hepatitis for me (having one at the end of this month, last at the end of November). Not having the BCG as I already have the scar to prove I had it. Personally I think the occupational health should do them in the first place free of charge for students that accepted their offers, some courses do already! Harass them until they get back to you, that's usually what I do!

Reply 15

Original post by leaspiree

Hi leaspiree,

congrats on your offer!

Oh my god, how can they be so unorganised? I received an unofficial letter first, then a couple of days letter they sent me the official one through the portal, I had to confirm an accept the offer on the unofficial one before they gave all my details to the PG admission office to make the official letter. Have you checked your trash/junk/clutter folder? Maybe is there waiting for you, and that also explains why you didn't get the official letter? So far they seem extremely messy and disorganised :unimpressed:

Let me know!

Reply 16

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Crunchy napkin, read my answer to leaspiree, you might find it useful.

If not's the case for both of you, call them tomorrow morning, you'll get more chances of talking to someone. The landline is apparently faulty, so if you can't get through them with the number on the website, call the PG admissions or the main switchboard, tell them about your problem, ask them nicely and they will connect you throw working line. Definitely get into contact with them, because they have a 15 days policy where if they made you an offer and you did not give them an answer they will take it as you declined it, and for what I understood they might have a system problem, making them believe they actually sent offers. The landline is already half broken, so I wouldn't be half surprised :unimpressed:

Hope this helps! :smile:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 17

leaspiree

Original post by Crunchynapkin

Yes, thanks, I've tried .. still hasn't changed :/ the man on the phone did say get in touch again if they haven't emailed you etc by the 18th. I guess I just won't keep my hopes up and see what happens 😬

Reply 18

leaspiree

Original post by SCBbio

Hope this helps! :smile:

Thanks Sofia! I'll try and contact them :smile:

Reply 19