Physician Assistance, Bachelor of Science

Who is suitable for the Bachelor's degree programme Physician Assistance (B.Sc.)?

The dual Bachelor's degree programme Physician Assistance (B.Sc.) at CBS University of Applied Sciences is aimed at people who have already completed training in the healthcare sector or are passionate about medically practical professions. The focus is on future Physician Assistants who want to take responsibility within the medical team, perform medical tasks, and thus support and complement medical care. The degree programme is especially targeted at applicants who wish to work in a practice-oriented manner, have an interest in medical diagnostics and therapy, and are willing to apply their knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment. Typical target groups include medical assistants, nursing professionals, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, or other professionals from medical and nursing occupations.

Admission requirements at a glance

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife)
• Alternatively: a recognised equivalent university entrance qualification (e.g. professional qualification according to the higher education laws of the federal states)
• For the dual model: proof of completed relevant vocational training in the healthcare sector (e.g. as a medical assistant, nurse, paramedic)
• Online application procedure: submission of all required certificates (if graduation is still pending, initially the current certificate)
• No Numerus Clausus (NC): instead, a personal selection process; possibly participation in a digital applicant interview
• For the dual degree: proof of a practical training partner (usually the university supports with placement)

The exact formalities may vary depending on individual prior education and federal state. Direct applications are possible all year round; for dual studies, sufficient lead time should be planned due to the search for a practical partner.

Personal requirements for the degree programme

• Strong interest in medicine, health, and patient care
• Experience or strong motivation to work in healthcare professions, ideally practical prior experience
• Willingness to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong communication skills and empathy in dealing with patients and colleagues
• Organisational talent and enjoyment of innovative, interdisciplinary tasks
• Reliability, sense of responsibility, and good time management
• Interest in practical relevance and integration of theory and practice in the degree programme

The dual degree requires a good level of self-organisation, independent learning, and resilience, as theory, practice, and professional activity are combined. Those who bring these skills will find a future-proof path at the interface between medicine and healthcare in the Physician Assistance degree programme at CBS University of Applied Sciences.

What content do you learn in the dual degree Physician Assistance (B.Sc.)?

The dual Bachelor's degree Physician Assistance at CBS University of Applied Sciences provides you with comprehensive medical and scientific fundamentals. You can expect six semesters with an integrated combination of theory, practice and research-oriented learning. You qualify to work as an important interface within the healthcare system and gain insights into various medical specialist areas.

• Medical basics: Anatomy, macro- and microanatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, scientific fundamentals, histology, epidemiology
• Practice-oriented skills: Medical history and communication, physical examination techniques, functional diagnostics, Applied Diagnostics & Therapy
• Specialist areas: Internal medicine, surgery with subfields, orthopaedics and trauma surgery, general medicine and geriatrics, neurology, emergency medicine
• Patient care and law: Quality management, patient safety, data protection, medical law, ethics in healthcare
• Science and research: Introduction to scientific work, empirical research methods
• Elective modules for specialisation: e.g. emergency medicine, primary care
• Practice reflections and skills labs: Application of what you have learned in clinic or practice, a total of five practice reflections as well as a final Bachelor project

The content prepares you specifically for the independent assumption of delegable medical tasks in outpatient and inpatient care.

How does the dual degree Physician Assistance programme run?

The course is designed for six semesters (three years) and offers you a close combination of academic qualification and direct practical deployment. The most important information on the course process:

• Study model: Dual. This means: You combine on-campus attendance phases (approx. five weeks per semester) with digital live sessions and continue to work in a healthcare institution in parallel.
• Practice transfer: A central element are the regular practice reflections. Here you apply what you have learned directly in your professional daily routine and reflect on your experiences.
• Skills labs: During the attendance phases you train clinical-practical skills under supervision.
• Examinations and assessments: Assessments and exams take place throughout the semester. The course progression is clearly manageable, as the attendance dates are published early.
• Individual specialisation: Through elective modules in the fifth and sixth semesters, you have the opportunity to tailor your training towards emergency medicine or primary care.
• Bachelor thesis: In the sixth semester, you complete the course with the Bachelor thesis.

By combining study and work, the dual model facilitates linking knowledge and practical skills.

Career prospects: Where will you work as a Physician Assistant (B.Sc.)?

The role of Physician Assistants is becoming increasingly important in the German healthcare system, especially in view of the shortage of medical specialists. With your degree, a variety of areas of deployment open up for you:

• Emergency medicine: Support in the emergency department, independent medical history taking, conducting examinations and assistance with emergency interventions
• Surgery: Assistance during operations, preparation and follow-up care of patients, monitoring postoperative processes
• Cardiology: Diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, patient management
• Laboratory and diagnostics: Performing and evaluating diagnostic procedures and laboratory findings
• Practice and clinic management: Process management, support with organisational and administrative tasks in the medical environment
• Outpatient or inpatient care: Care and coaching of patients, assumption of delegable medical tasks

Due to structural change and digitalisation, Physician Assistants are sought-after professionals both in clinics, general practitioner practices and specialised medical institutions.

At which locations can you study Physician Assistance in a dual programme?

The dual degree Physician Assistance (B.Sc.) at CBS University of Applied Sciences is offered at the following locations:

• Cologne
• Berlin
• Rheine
• Rostock

Additionally, there are practical locations, among others in Stuttgart and Zeven. The attendance phases at these locations are combined with digital elements.

What are the costs? What financing options are available?

For the dual degree at CBS University of Applied Sciences the regular tuition fees are:

• per month: 589 €
• per semester: 3,534 €
• Total costs (for six semesters): 21,204 €

Usually, your practical partner (e.g. hospital or medical practice) pays the tuition fees for you. Alternatively, funding programmes and grants can be used. For detailed information about financing the course, it is advisable to discuss early with the respective practical partner and the student services of the university.