Course structure
Learning outcomes from the modules listed below are integrated so that students will learn about clinical medicine on a theoretical basis, practice relevant clinical skills in the classroom, followed by supervised practice with real patients in clinical attachments.
Year One
One day a week is spent in a General Practice placement and the remaining three days on campus for large and small group teaching, clinical skills and anatomy.
Friday teaching is delivered online, consistent with the latest evidence and best teaching practice. There will be some Fridays, were assessments or teaching are best suited to in-person delivery, and attendance on campus is required. Adequate notice is provided as to mode of delivery.
- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences for PAs – A (includes problem-based learning) (60 credits)
- Clinical Skills for PAs – A (includes communication and physical exam skills) (30 credits)
- Clinical Practice for PAs – A (GP placements) (15 credits)
- Pharmacology and Prescribing for PAs (15 credits)
- PA as a Professional Evaluation Report (PAPER) – A (10 credits)
Year Two
- Biomedical and Clinical Sciences for PAs – B (15 credits)
- Clinical Skills for PAs – B (15 credits)
- Clinical Practice for PAs – B (clinical placements in regional secondary care trusts and GPs) (70 credits)
- Preparation for Practice (student selected placement within affiliated trusts) (10 credits)
- Evidence Based Practice (20 credits)
- PA as a Professional Evaluation Report (PAPER) – B (10 credits))
In the second year of study, students are on placement in one of the three regional trusts; East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Time is also spent at Sussex Partnership NHS Trust for Psychiatry placements. While every effort is made to accommodate student preferences, no guarantees can be made of any one particular placement or location.
Assessment
Assessments are designed in a way to best prepare students for the PARA national exam. They comprise of written papers (Single Best Answer (SBA)), dissertation submission, portfolio submissions, presentation and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs).
Term dates – 2024-2025
Cohort 24-26: exact dates to be confirmed spring 2024
Year 1
Term 1: 9 September 2024 – 18 December 2024
Term 2: 6 January 2025 – 16 April 2025
Term 3: 23 April 2025 – 25 July 2025 (this includes assessment period through resits)
Year 2
Please note that will start with compulsory university week approx. 28 July 2025. Exact dates to be confirmed.