Fewer Places for Medical Associate Students as Universities Pause PA Training

Several universities all over the UK have halted admissions into their new Physician Associate (PA) courses just less than a year after they were given the green light from the GMC, which, according to Pulse reporting, reflects growing uncertainty in UK universities about medical education, especially health professions and the changing approach to courses in university healthcare programs.

Suspension of intake of new students was caused by several factors, including a very serious decline in applications as well as very few places in the university and medical professions. These were troubled further by the results of the Leng Review, which suggested some amendments to the training of physician associates, including changing the name of the role, enhanced supervision, and restricting PAs from seeing undifferentiated patients. Meanwhile, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) advised that PAs could not be part of general practice for patient safety and suitability of the roles.

Among the affected institutions are University of Aberdeen, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Chester, University of East Anglia, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), and Sheffield Hallam University. Each confirmed that it had paused or closed its medical school courses in England, with some citing the need to reflect on policy changes, while others awaited the outcome of the Leng Review's implementation. This has provoked larger questions about the recruitment challenges within higher education and the future of health care courses at a national level, especially since this year the GMC approved 33 PA programmes, with a joint capacity that falls well below NHS England's workforce planning targets.

The trade union UMAPs expressed discontent over programmes in the course suspension, stating that their judicial review against the Government, NHS England, and that particular professor Leng was progressing. It urged universities to keep their 'programme' as far as possible so that, pending legal outcomes, they could come back swiftly on training and supporting medical career pathways in the UK. Meanwhile, the RCGP reiterated its advisory posture stating that decisions on PA recruitment ultimately lay with individual practices. The short pause in physician associate courses in the UK reflects a tangled web of interface among policy reform, employment uncertainty, and institutional response. In high schools, the future of PA training will depend on regulatory clarity and workforce demand, as well as on the capacity of the sector to adapt to changing expectations in medical education and health care delivery.

Editor’s Note:

More than just a short-term change, the decision by a number of UK universities to stop accepting students into their Physician Associate (PA) programs reflects a broader lack of clarity regarding the direction of medical education in the nation. Institutions are pulling back less than a year after the GMC approved these courses, citing dwindling student interest and few employment opportunities. These are serious issues. They highlight a widening gap between training curricula and the realities of the healthcare workforce. It is obvious that the Leng Review has had an effect. How PAs fit into the system has come under scrutiny due to its recommendations, which include renaming the PA role, enhancing supervision, and restricting clinical responsibilities. Universities are reevaluating their strategy, which is not surprising given the RCGP's stance that PAs shouldn't work in general practice. Applications will decline when employers are hesitant and students perceive unclear career paths, which is precisely what is occurring. This pause should be viewed as a chance to reconsider rather than as a sign of failure. Clarifying the role of PAs, ensuring appropriate training, and fostering confidence in the field require collaboration between universities, regulators, and healthcare leaders. 

Skoobuzz believes that if executed effectively, this could result in more robust and targeted medical career pathways in the United Kingdom. However, in the absence of clear guidance, there is a chance that important positions like the PA will remain undefined and unsupported.

FAQs

1.Which UK universities have paused their Physician Associate courses in 2025? 

As of late 2025, seven universities have confirmed a pause in admissions to their Physician Associate (PA) programmes. These include the University of Aberdeen, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Canterbury Christ Church University, University of Chester, University of East Anglia, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), and Sheffield Hallam University.

2.Why are universities in the UK suspending medical associate courses? 

Institutions cited a sharp decline in student applications, limited employment opportunities for graduates, and the impact of the Leng Review, which recommended changes to PA training and scope of practice. These factors have led universities to reassess the viability of their PA programmes.

3.Are Physician Associate courses still running at other UK universities?

While seven universities have paused recruitment, 17 PA courses remain active across the UK. However, the future of these programmes may depend on regulatory developments and workforce demand in the healthcare sector.

4.What is the impact of the Leng Review on university healthcare programmes? 

The Leng Review has prompted universities to reconsider their health professions education strategies. Recommendations such as renaming the PA role and restricting clinical duties have raised concerns about the role’s suitability and long-term career pathways.

5.How do policy changes affect medical education in UK universities?

Policy shifts especially those related to supervision, scope of practice, and workforce planning have led to uncertainty in medical school courses in England, influencing recruitment decisions and programme sustainability.

6.What does the pause in PA courses mean for medical career pathways in the UK?

The suspension of PA programmes reflects broader challenges in aligning university healthcare programs with real-world employment prospects. It signals a need for clearer guidance, stronger workforce planning, and renewed confidence in the role of Physician Associates within the NHS.