Anaesthesia Associate PGDip

You’ll benefit from our expert-led course and hands-on clinical placements, designed to integrate you into the Medical Associate Professions workforce. Our programme equips you with the skills needed to support anaesthetists in delivering exceptional perioperative patient care.

Upon completion, you'll be eligible for GMC registration as an Anaesthesia Associate, with university support for portfolio compilation and exam preparation.

Course Structure

What makes this course different?

Throughout the programme, you'll continuously advance your skills in spinal anaesthesia, sedation, pre-operative assessment, general anaesthesia, and regional anaesthesia.

During your studies, you'll be employed by the Trust you apply to, ensuring job continuity and practical experience.

Our course stands out with dynamic online and face-to-face tutoring, comprehensive online resources, and access to state-of-the-art simulated healthcare environments. Learn from an experienced team of Anaesthesia Associates and become a vital part of the theatre team of the future.

• Access cutting-edge simulation equipment.
• Collaborate across diverse healthcare specialties.
• Receive expert guidance through the GMC examination process.
• Gain the confidence and skills to excel as a professional Anaesthesia Associate.

Our course is just one of three Anaesthesia Associate courses offered in the UK and we are the only provider in the Midlands area.

This course consists of 12 taught modules and 3 months of supervised practice.

The programme is made up of 12 two-month blocks of teaching. Each block lasts for approximately 35 days to allow for holidays and is broken down as follows:

• Directed self-study – 70 hours
• Small group teaching – 14 hours
• Clinical skills teaching – 21 hours
• Workplace experience – 140 hours

A typical week may consist of:

• A two hour tutorial
• Two to three days in the clinical area
• Half day of clinical skills training
• One and a half days of self-directed study, e.g. working through the e-lectures

The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.

Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken. For information about the spread of the following modules over the duration of the programme, please contact the School of Medicine.

Students are also required to spend 3 months at the end of their 24 months training in the NHS they are employed in. This forms the final component of the programme.

Year: 2
2026/27 Session

The following must be taken. For information about the spread of the following modules over the duration of the programme, please contact the School of Medicine.

Students are also required to spend 3 months at the end of their 24 months training in the NHS they are employed in. This forms the final component of the programme.

To apply, you need to secure a trainee Anaesthesia Associate position within a trust. Trusts usually advertise from May onwards, although timing can vary. Participating trusts change each year.

The programme accepts applicants through two different routes:

1. Registered Health Care Practitioners (e.g., nurses, operating department practitioners):

• At least three years of full-time, post-qualification work experience in a relevant area.
• A first degree in a health-related subject.

2. New Entrants to Health Care (graduates or equivalent):

• A background in biomedical or biological sciences.
• Preferably a second-class Honours degree or better, or other evidence of recent and successful academic activity.
• A demonstrable commitment to a career in health care.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.

We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Completing this programme also gives you the option to transfer to the Anaesthesia Associate MSc Programme.

For more information about the Anaesthesia Associate role, visit the NHS Health Careers pages. 

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.