Ranking
1st
choice for graduate employers
Course overview
Elevate your healthcare career with the Anaesthesia Associate Postgraduate Diploma. Our programme offers advanced anaesthesia training for registered healthcare professionals, including nurses and operating department practitioners with at least two years of clinical experience or a relevant degree.
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
The course is 27 months full-time. This includes 24 months of academic study and clinical training, followed by 3 months of supervised practice. We offer two intakes per year, in April and October.
Course highlights
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.
- 68th
in the world for Life Sciences and Medicine (2024 QS World Rankings)
Our course is just one of three Anaesthesia Associate courses offered in the UK and we are the only provider in the Midlands area.
Course delivery
Our Anaesthesia Associate Diploma includes a combination of tutorials, placement, small group teaching and clinical skills training. You’ll learn from world-leading academics and researchers at a top 100 UK university. From the outset we’ll encourage you to become an independent and self-motivated learner.
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
Module information
This course comprises 120 credits of taught material, followed by three months of supervised practice.
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.
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia in Clinical Practice | 30 |
| Anaesthesia and Body Systems | 40 |
| Applied Science of Anaesthesia | 20 |
| Introduction to Clinical Practice in Anaesthesia | 30 |
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.
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Supervised Clinical Practice | 0 |
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.
| Module Title | Code |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia in Clinical Practice | 01 22131 |
| Anaesthesia and Body Systems | 01 22130 |
| Applied Science of Anaesthesia | 01 22129 |
| Introduction to Clinical Practice in Anaesthesia | 01 22128 |
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.
| Module Title | Code |
|---|---|
| Supervised Clinical Practice | 01 31587 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- First degree
You should either have a first degree in health-related subject, or a second-class Honours degree in biomedical or biological sciences.
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.
Fees and scholarships
- £7,267
Full-time
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.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 31 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non-tier 4 applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
Our course equips you with the skills to support anaesthetists in delivering exceptional patient care and enhancing perioperative pathways. After passing the national exam and becoming GMC registered, you'll be a key member of a team led by a consultant anaesthetist. You'll play a crucial role during critical procedures, working with surgeons, operating department practitioners, and nurses.
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.