Bristol UWE Physician Associate interview and guidance

Hey Everyone!

Currently in my final year for Biomedical Science degree at Cardiff Met, I have got an interview for Physician Associate (PA) course at UWE.

Would like to know interview tips and what to expect. It is an online interview (MS Teams)

Also, considering the ongoing debate about PAs role in the healthcare, what do you reckon, is this a yay or a nay?


Many thanks!

Hey Everyone!
Currently in my final year for Biomedical Science degree at Cardiff Met, I have got an interview for Physician Associate (PA) course at UWE.
Would like to know interview tips and what to expect. It is an online interview (MS Teams)
Also, considering the ongoing debate about PAs role in the healthcare, what do you reckon, is this a yay or a nay?
Many thanks!

Why do you want to become a PA? Is it because you think that you will earn more? If you want to treat people then GEM is better. You need to do some research which everyone should do before they do any course at university. Start by looking at how many PA jobs are currently advertised. Compare this to how many people are likely to be on the course you are looking at. I will tell you that PAs are being made redundant from GP surgeries so there are experienced PAs who are out of work to add to the number of people on your course. All the PA jobs in hospitals currently have people working in them. The PA studies course is a vocational course not an academic one. The vocational bit of it leads to only one job so if you can't get that job the course has no value.
It is not sensible to start a PA studies course in 2025 which is why several universities have suspended the course. Make sure that the university that you are thinking of applying to isn't just running the course to make money. The reason why it is not sensible to start a PA course in 2025 is because no one knows what will happen to the PA role. It could become a doctors assistant job on band 4.

I'd avoid the PA role for the moment, it is just too murky and the course could very well end up being a very expensive mistake the way things are looking.
Is Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) an option? If not, I think I'd go straight into work as a registered BMS, more secure, the jobs are out there (clinically and in industry) and there is progression. If GEM isn't an option and you wanted to do a masters, I'd recommend specialising your BMS, increasing your knowledge and earning potential. Or if you're looking for a change of direction and healthcare outside of bench science is for you, I'd look at a pre-reg MSc programme with an established, autonomous, regulated profession at the end (most of the allied health professions). The downside with those is that you would be graduating as a Band 5, same as a newly-qualifed NHS BMS, so financially it would be a disadvantage. It may just be prudent to follow your BMS route and specialise, unless you are really unhappy and there isn't a specialist route that would improve things.

Hey there! Thanks for your reply!

I am currently applying for NHS roles specific to this course as well. Keeping my options open. However, I would like to get into GEM as my first choice. Would you have any tips or suggestions for me?

As an international student I would really appreciate your thoughts on this matter and any guidance that I can receive.

Thanks again!

Hi, thanks for your reply.
I have not had much success with medicine. But do want to become a doctor instead of PA. One of my friends told me that within a PA role, there is an option to upgrade your position to become a doctor, hence, decided to apply. Hoping that the grades I receive from the boomer course is good enough to get into GEM.
On a side note, do you have any tips for GEM, like, I'm an international student and won't have much background knowledge on this bit.
Thanks again!

Hey Everyone!
Currently in my final year for Biomedical Science degree at Cardiff Met, I have got an interview for Physician Associate (PA) course at UWE.
Would like to know interview tips and what to expect. It is an online interview (MS Teams)
Also, considering the ongoing debate about PAs role in the healthcare, what do you reckon, is this a yay or a nay?
Many thanks!

Your friend is incorrect . The Doctor apprenticeship scheme has been scrapped in the U.K.
There is no means to ‘ upgrade ‘ to a doctor from a PA apart from doing GEM because PAs don’t study medicine . You’d still have to do the full 4 year GEM even if you were a PA.
Follow your dream to become a Doctor if that is your goal. Seek advice in the medicine /GEM forum and good luck !

Hey Everyone!
Currently in my final year for Biomedical Science degree at Cardiff Met, I have got an interview for Physician Associate (PA) course at UWE.
Would like to know interview tips and what to expect. It is an online interview (MS Teams)
Also, considering the ongoing debate about PAs role in the healthcare, what do you reckon, is this a yay or a nay?
Many thanks!

dude ! mostly correct info but " PAs dont study medicine" ...probably not all about biochemistry, psychology,pathopysiology,microbiology etc. neither the ACP trainees !
A good PA university would teach and conduct same OSCE stations as PLAB exams. I thought all universities in UK are good but apparently your information contradicts that.

Read the GMCs submission to Leng for yourself . None of the courses are accredited. The difference is PAs are told at PA school that they DO study medicine in 2 yrs instead of 5 . It’s nonsense .

None of us have been told they are studying medicine. Our exams are similar strength to PLAB exams. So you can imagine what level of knowledge needed to pass those exams. Before you start complaining of exam criteria, PANE is conducted by consultants.
Again, Not comparing to medicine.

None of us have been told they are studying medicine. PA exams are similar strength to PLAB exams. So you can imagine what level of knowledge needed to pass those exams. Before you start complaining of exam criteria, PANE is conducted by consultants.
Again, Not comparing to medicine.

None of us have been told they are studying medicine. PA exams are similar strength to PLAB exams. So you can imagine what level of knowledge needed to pass those exams. Before you start complaining of exam criteria, PANE is conducted by consultants.
Again, Not comparing to medicine.

None of us have been told they are studying medicine. PA exams are similar strength to PLAB exams. So you can imagine what level of knowledge needed to pass those exams. Before you start complaining of exam criteria, PANE is conducted by consultants.
Again, Not comparing to medicine.

None of us have been told they are studying medicine. PA exams are similar strength to PLAB exams. So you can imagine what level of knowledge needed to pass those exams. Before you start complaining of exam criteria, PANE is conducted by consultants.
Again, Not comparing to medicine.