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Physician Associate Masters Degree Apprenticeship Programme

Hello!

I’m reaching out to anyone currently in a PA apprenticeship program or any PAs who took the apprenticeship route. I’m interested in learning about your experiences. Despite my own research efforts, I’ve found limited information about these apprenticeships. I would greatly appreciate any insights you can share about how you found the opportunity.

Thank you!

Reply 1

Ambsey

I also am interested in going into a PA apprenticeship and am struggling to find much info about it. My plan is to keep an eye out on the gov website and nhs careers website 😕 did you manage to uncover any more information?

Reply 2

naz_1

Original post by Ambsey

Not much to be honest, I emailed a few hospitals local to me asking if their hospitals offer or would potentially be offering PA apprenticeships in 2025, and only one of them got back to me and they redirected me to their hospitals apprenticeship page which of course had no information about the PA apprenticeship. My plan would be similar to yours just keeping our eyes peeled for any apprenticeship opportunities. I did read on the NHS and Gov UK website that there may be a few opportunities opening up for PA apprenticeships in the future, so hopefully by the end of this year a few will open up.

I checked the entry requirements for QMUL PA apprenticeship programme and this is what it says
' 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. '
So I'm guessing that you'd need to be employed with an NHS trust that would be willing to put you forward for this programme as they would be paying for tuition fees. So I think working jobs such as Healthcare Assistants could be a way to get into the PA programme but that usually depends on your employer and the NHS trust that you're employed with.

However I did see a job posting which is now expired but it was for a PA apprentice heres the link: Job Advert (jobs.nhs.uk) so I guess keeping an eye out for these types of jobs listings could be a way to get into an apprenticeship without already being employed. I really hope more information comes out about the PA apprenticeship programme as the government want an increase of PA's in the UK so this would make more people want to study to become a PA.

Good luck finding an apprenticeship and if you find any further information on the PA apprenticeship programme please kindly let me know, thank you! :smile:

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 3

Ambsey

I might do what you did and try email some local NHS services and hospitals 🤔 To me, it seems that a few years, they did some apprenticeships for PAs, but they have since stopped and now you need to self fund your master's course through a uni. I've already self funded a research master's, so I'm not super keen on paying more tuition fees if I can avoid it 😭 I'm low key hoping the NHS will start offering more apprenticeships soon, especially with all the staff shortages cos they will need to train more staff up in coming years. I'm crossing my fingers for that! Keeping an eye out on the job websites seems like the best way see if any pop up

Your idea about getting a job in the NHS then getting sponsored as an internal application is also a really good idea! I've heard that once you're in the NHS, it's easier as a internal applicant. I think I'd like to do that also to double triple check that like working in healthcare for sure before enrolling on a 2yr PA / 4yr postgrad med course tbh

Thanks for your reply! I'd love to be updated about how your search goes and ofc I will send you along any information I find 🙂 I'll let you know what my local hospital and NHS services say as I'm about to email them

Reply 4

naz_1

Original post by Ambsey

I might do what you did and try email some local NHS services and hospitals 🤔 To me, it seems that a few years, they did some apprenticeships for PAs, but they have since stopped and now you need to self fund your master's course through a uni. I've already self funded a research master's, so I'm not super keen on paying more tuition fees if I can avoid it 😭 I'm low key hoping the NHS will start offering more apprenticeships soon, especially with all the staff shortages cos they will need to train more staff up in coming years. I'm crossing my fingers for that! Keeping an eye out on the job websites seems like the best way see if any pop up
Your idea about getting a job in the NHS then getting sponsored as an internal application is also a really good idea! I've heard that once you're in the NHS, it's easier as a internal applicant. I think I'd like to do that also to double triple check that like working in healthcare for sure before enrolling on a 2yr PA / 4yr postgrad med course tbh
Thanks for your reply! I'd love to be updated about how your search goes and ofc I will send you along any information I find 🙂 I'll let you know what my local hospital and NHS services say as I'm about to email them

I was looking at the MSc route too, and yeah, the funding for the programme isn't the greatest. However, most universities offer a HEE bursary, which is around £5000 - £5500, depending on which university you're studying at, and is split over the 2-year course to help fund travel, etc. Since you've self-funded your master's research, you might still be eligible for a postgraduate loan as you didn't use that for your MRes. The maximum postgraduate loan is about £12k at the moment, which could go towards one year.

I really hope more apprenticeships come out soon too, because my sister-in-law is a PA and she said it was very intense and she could not possibly work alongside the course. The course also doesn't recommend part-time work as it is very intense. As a backup, and if you really do want to undertake the MSc route, it would be wise to save beforehand. Since you've done an undergrad (I'm presuming) and an MRes, it should be pretty easy for you to get into the NHS.

Thanks for replying to me! I will definitely keep you updated with more info and yes, I would love to hear what your local NHS services say!
Good luck!
P.S I would also love to connect with you on Linkedin if it's okay with you, just pop me a private message if so!

Reply 5

Ambsey

Thank goodness for that £12k postgrad loan as an option! Opens more doors and options for sure :smile:

Reply 6

M Ishaq

Original post by naz_1

Not much to be honest, I emailed a few hospitals local to me asking if their hospitals offer or would potentially be offering PA apprenticeships in 2025, and only one of them got back to me and they redirected me to their hospitals apprenticeship page which of course had no information about the PA apprenticeship. My plan would be similar to yours just keeping our eyes peeled for any apprenticeship opportunities. I did read on the NHS and Gov UK website that there may be a few opportunities opening up for PA apprenticeships in the future, so hopefully by the end of this year a few will open up.
I checked the entry requirements for QMUL PA apprenticeship programme and this is what it says
' 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. '
So I'm guessing that you'd need to be employed with an NHS trust that would be willing to put you forward for this programme as they would be paying for tuition fees. So I think working jobs such as Healthcare Assistants could be a way to get into the PA programme but that usually depends on your employer and the NHS trust that you're employed with.
However I did see a job posting which is now expired but it was for a PA apprentice heres the link: Job Advert (jobs.nhs.uk) so I guess keeping an eye out for these types of jobs listings could be a way to get into an apprenticeship without already being employed. I really hope more information comes out about the PA apprenticeship programme as the government want an increase of PA's in the UK so this would make more people want to study to become a PA.
Good luck finding an apprenticeship and if you find any further information on the PA apprenticeship programme please kindly let me know, thank you! :smile:

Hi, I thought the entry requirements for the PA apprentership at QMUL were just a 2:2 or above at undergraduate level in a Life Sciences, Biomedical or Health Profession Degree. I didn't know you have to be a healthcare practitioner too? Does that mean just working in the NHS?

Reply 7

naz_1

Hi, When I first researched the Level 7 PA apprenticeship it wasn’t clear either until i did more research, besides needing a 2:2 or above in a relevant degree (like Life Sciences, Biomedical, or Health Professions), you apparently have to be employed by an NHS Trust. If you follow this link it should show you the information (Prospects) (www.FindAMasters.com) .

From what I’ve researched, working roles such as healthcare assistants could increase the chances of being able to undertake the apprenticeship with your employers/NHS trust permission of course.

Hope that helps!

Reply 8

M Ishaq

Original post by naz_1

Hi, When I first researched the Level 7 PA apprenticeship it wasn’t clear either until i did more research, besides needing a 2:2 or above in a relevant degree (like Life Sciences, Biomedical, or Health Professions), you apparently have to be employed by an NHS Trust. If you follow this link it should show you the information (Prospects) (www.FindAMasters.com) .
From what I’ve researched, working roles such as healthcare assistants could increase the chances of being able to undertake the apprenticeship with your employers/NHS trust permission of course.
Hope that helps!

Ah, I see. Thank you for clearing up my confusion, I will try to look out for healthcare jobs now.

Reply 9

Chris2892

Original post by naz_1

Hi, When I first researched the Level 7 PA apprenticeship it wasn’t clear either until i did more research, besides needing a 2:2 or above in a relevant degree (like Life Sciences, Biomedical, or Health Professions), you apparently have to be employed by an NHS Trust. If you follow this link it should show you the information (Prospects) (www.FindAMasters.com) .
From what I’ve researched, working roles such as healthcare assistants could increase the chances of being able to undertake the apprenticeship with your employers/NHS trust permission of course.
Hope that helps!

Yes, most level 7 apprenticeships are for up-skilling existing employees with experience.

The work-based competency side of the apprenticeship standards typically requires that you evidence skills that require you to have direct reports or a technical leadership role.

There may be Masters Degree Apprenticeships advertised that also encompass the Bachelors degree apprenticeship. I’d expect them to be around 6-7 years long.

(edited 8 months ago)

Reply 10

naz_1

Original post by Chris2892

Yes, most level 7 apprenticeships are for up-skilling existing employees with experience.
The work-based competency side of the apprenticeship standards typically requires that you evidence skills that require you to have direct reports or a technical leadership role.
There may be Masters Degree Apprenticeships advertised that also encompass the Bachelors degree apprenticeship. I’d expect them to be around 6-7 years long.