Advice & Insight From PA Application Specialists
The University of Manchester requires that applicants hold, or are predicted, a 2.1 or above. The subject studied may be a life science (e.g. biomedical science, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, healthcare science) or an allied health profession (e.g. pharmacy, midwifery or nursing). Applicants with medical degrees are not accepted. Applicants who have not completed a medical or healthcare degree are also not accepted. All applicants must hold GCSE Maths and English at B or above. Per the university, ‘an understanding of the healthcare environment is essential. Work experience involving adults or children with illness or disability is therefore considered highly desirable.’
Applications are reviewed initially by academic criteria. They are then shortlisted for interview by a panel of academic staff members. This stage involves looking at the Non-Academic information Form (NAIF) which is a written form consisting of various questions that must be answered within a set word count. It can be seen as a shortened version of the personal statement.
The interview pre-screening will ensure that all candidates have academic potential, meaning that the interview is designed to assess the candidate’s wider ability, experience and interpersonal skills. The interview is a formal process with interviewers drawn from the university and clinical environments. There may also be patients, current PAS students and simulated patients. The interviews are designed to be as relaxed as possible, but some elements will be challenging and stressful, which is reflective of the career. You are encouraged to talk naturally about yourself in order to demonstrate who you are to the interviewers. The interview is an MMI (Multiple Mini Interview) made up of five stations. Each station is seven minutes long and is marked by a different interviewer. There is a two minute gap between stations. No information is provided in advance and there is no reading and writing component to any station.
Interviews are held between April and July for February entry.
Manchester provides a relatively detailed insight into what they are looking for from candidates, which gives us the structure below.
Experience in a role relevant to the work of a physician associate
Learn the best interview strategies and practice with interview questions & model answers.
Team working
Dealing with difficult situations
Why do you want to be a physician associate?
Ethical and other issues
