BSc Physician Assistant is a 3-year full-time undergraduate medical course. This program is a specialization for people looking to add skills and knowledge needed to provide support to the senior doctors and physicians. This program is designed to train the students in examining and treating patients, order and interpret laboratory x-rays and performing diagnoses.To pursue this course, students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects with an aggregate of at least 55% marks from a recognized board.
Admission to the BSc Physician Assistant course is strictly done on the basis of the candidate’s marks obtained at the higher secondary level. However, some top colleges in India conducted their own entrance tests for getting admission to this course. After that, the qualifying candidates need to undergo a personal interview session for final selection.
Check: Top BSc Physician Assistant Colleges in India.
The tuition fees for enrolling in BSc Physician Assistant courses vary as per university. The average annual course fees generally vary between INR 1,00,000 and 4,00,000.
BSc Physician Assistant degree holders can get jobs in profiles such as Dietician, Patient Care Technician, Drug Safety Associate etc. with an average annual salary ranging between INR 5,00,000 and 5,00,000.
After completing this program, students can pursue higher studies and advanced academic exploration along with research through MSc and Certificate Courses. This course essentially provides a solid basis for further studies and related prospects.
Also check Top MSc Colleges in India.
BSc Physician Assistant Course Highlights
The course highlights of BSc Physician Assistant course is provided in the table given below :
| Course Level | Undergraduate |
| Full-Form | Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester/ Annual |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed Class 12 or equivalent in relevant discipline from a recognized board |
| Admission Process | Entrance/ Merit-Based |
| Average Fees | INR 1,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Max Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Ranbaxy |
| Job Positions | Dietician, professor/teacher, nutritionist, and family health care physician. |
BSc Physician Assistant: What is it about?
Information and details about the BSc Physician Assistant program are as follows.
- This course is all about learning in-depth the cure and prevention of various health-related issues, diagnose and then treatment of that illness by recommending the necessary tests, and assisting in surgery.
- In this course curriculum, students learn about examining and treating the patients, giving counseling to the patient and their families about the illness, and recommend them proper treatments.
- In a practical course, students are given training for laboratory x-rays, performing all the diagnosis practices like taking blood samples, examining ultra-sound of a patient etc.
- Students in their last semester of this Physician Assistant course must practice as an Intern in healthcare institutions/ clinical centers to acquire practical knowledge for this course by assisting senior doctors.
Why Should You Study as a BSc Physician Assistant?
BSc Physician Assistant has lots of prospective career opportunities to offer to students. Some of the benefits of pursuing the graduation in Physician Assistant course are as follows:
- The career prospects for this course are very bright. The important job of a Physician Assistant is to provide a job as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive health care service. For example, Advanced Practice Clinician, Nurses, etc.
- Students can learn the intense cure and prevention of various health-related issues, diagnosis, and then treatment of that illness by recommending the necessary treatment for the same.
- In India, the placement service for this course is very good. There are many private healthcare institutions and government hospitals where students can practice and gradually become a Physician Assistant. The salary packages of the jobs offered to Physician Assistant is satisfying.
- In the future after completing this course, you will acquire some good fundamental knowledge and can further study the Master’s, M.Phil, and Ph.D. degrees.
- In a practical course, students are given training for laboratory x-rays, performing all the diagnosis practices like taking blood samples, examining ultra-sound of a patient, etc.
- Learning knowledge about medicine is always challenging and in this course, students can be specialists in various medical departments like pediatrics, radiology, oncology, dermatology etc.
- The average annual salary earned by a BSc Physician Assistant Graduate ranges between INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000
What is the Admission Process for a BSc Physician Assistant?
The BSc Physician Assistant Admission Process can vary as per the university rules and regulations. Some universities grant admission to students in this course based on merit in the qualifying examination. Some of the top-most Indian universities prefer conducting entrance exams to grant admission to qualified candidates.
The admission procedures followed in the Indian universities for admission to BSc Physician Assistant are given below.
Merit-based admission
In merit-based admission, the universities offering BSc Physician Assistant program grant admission to students based on their marks obtained in the graduation level.
Entrance-Based Admission
The steps of the entrance-based admission are provided below:
- Step 1- Registration: Students are required to register themselves for the entrance test by providing their email address, mobile number and password after which a login id will be created.
- Step 2- Filling up of application form: After creating the login id, candidates are required to enter the required information correctly.
- Step 3- Uploading of required documents: In this step, candidates have to upload the necessary documents such as photograph, signature, id proof, Class 10 and 12 certificates, Bachelor’s degree etc.
- Step 4- Payment of Application Fee: After uploading the requisite documents, students have to pay the requisite amount of application fee online.
- Step 5- Issuing of Admit Card: Based on the details submitted by the students, the admission authority will issue the admit cards to the eligible students.
- Step 6- Entrance Examination: After getting the admit card, exam dates will be released by different conducting bodies. Candidates have to sit for the entrance test and qualify the same to get admission.
- Step 7- Result: In the final stage, admission authorities will release the results of the entrance test they have appeared for.
- Step 8- Enrolment: Successful candidates will then be allotted seats to the respective institutes.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to BSc Physician Assistant?
The minimum eligibility criteria for students who want to pursue an BSc Physician Assistant from Indian universities are given below:
- Students must have passed Class 12 or equivalent in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects.
- The student must get a minimum of 55% of the aggregate of marks from any recognized board.
- Clearing cut-off marks in the entrance examination is the prime requirement in some medical colleges for getting admission to this course.
- The students also have to do well in the Personal Interview round.
Is There Any Entrance Exam for Admission to BSc Physician Assistant course?
Many premier Indian universities conduct entrance exams for BSc Physician Assistant admissions. The entrance exams conducted thus vary according to the respective universities. The important dates of these exams are given below :
| Name of the Exams | Registration Dates (Tentative) | Exam Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|
| NPAT | December 2023 – May 21, 2024 |
January 2024 – May 2024 |
| CUET | February 2024 – April 2024 | May 15 - 31, 2024 |
| CUCET | November 28, 2023 - May 29, 2024 | May 2024 |
| SET | January 2024 |
May 2024 |
How to prepare for BSc Physician Assistant Entrance exams?
Candidates are advised to follow the below mentioned points to score well in the entrance examination:
- As entrance examinations vary from one university to another, it is recommended that students prepare for a list of target universities and their relevant admission tests.
- Knowledge of the relevant entrance examination and their respective patterns and syllabus will enable the candidate to prepare for the entrance exam more solemnly.
- Aspirants must have a good knowledge and a thorough understanding of the concepts related to the relevant field.
- The students must have a clear idea of the concepts and syllabus of the relevant entrance tests.
- Following the rules and regulations of the relevant examinations is another important point that the candidates have to keep in mind while attempting the entrance tests. Not paying heed to the guidelines can result in disqualification or such other unappreciative circumstances.
How to get Admission in a Good BSc Physician Assistant College?
To get a chance to pursue your BSc in Physician Assistant course in a good college always remember the following points:
- For getting admission to a top college a student must secure high marks on the entrance exam conducted by that particular college/ university.
- You must also get good marks on your Intermediate or 10+2 exams final exams. A minimum of 55% of marks is required to appear for the entrance exam.
- Start preparing for the entrance examination one year before the date of examination.
- In all the universities, along with the entrance exam, viva voice or personal interview is also conducted. So prepare well for this round of interviews also.
- Try to collect all details of that college, where you want to pursue your future education like teaching faculty, curriculum, course fees etc.
- Placement is also very important. So, always choose that particular college where placement opportunities are excellent.
What are the Subjects Covered in BSc Physician Assistant Syllabus?
The BSc Physician Assistant syllabus includes a comprehensive and integrative curriculum of both theoretical and practical study spread over three years. A year-wise breakup of the general syllabus for BSc Physician Assistant is given below in a tabulated form :
| Subjects in 1st year | Subjects in 2nd year | Subjects in 3rd year |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry Anatomy Physiology Dietetics and Nutrition Introduction to Psychology Microbiology (Physician Assistant) | Pharmacology Molecular Biology and Cell Pediatrics Molecular Genetics Obstetrics and Gynaecology Community and Public Health | Introduction to surgery Pediatrics Cardiac Surgery, Cardiology Gastroenterology Neurology Pathophysiology Practical (Physician Assistant) Clinical Decision Making |
Which Books are Recommended for a BSc Physician Assistant?
The below mentioned table suggest the most recommended books suitable for BSc Physician Assistant course are as follows:
| Name of the Book | Name of Author |
|---|---|
| Getting into Physician Assistant School | Andrew J.Rodican |
| How to “ACE” The Physician Assistant School Interview | Andrew J.Rodican, PA-C |
| How to write your Physician Assistant Personal Statement | Sue Edmondson, Duke Pasquini and Stephen Pasquini PA-C |
Which are the Top Colleges for Studying BSc Physician Assistant?
Several universities across India offer BSc Physician Assistant program. Some of the top universities among them are given below in a tabulated form along with their respective location, average annual fee, admission process :
| Name of the College/ University | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| SRM IST, Kanchipuram | Merit-Based | INR 55,000 |
| DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai | Merit-Based | INR 1,00,000 |
| MGMCRI, Pondicherry | Merit-Based | INR 30,000 |
| Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Pondicherry | Merit-Based | INR 30,000 |
| HITS, Chennai | Merit-Based | INR 50,000 |
| Sardar Patel University Vallabh, Vidyanagar | Merit-Based | INR 60,000 |
| Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai | Merit-Based | INR 1,40,000 |
| JKK Nataraja Dental College and Hospital, Namakkal | Merit-Based | INR 1,25,000 |
College Comparison for BSc Physician Assistant
The comparison of the top two Indian universities offering BSc Physician Assistant course is given below in a tabular form along with their average annual fees, and average placement package offered:
| Parameters | DY Patil University, Navi Mumbai | SRM IST |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | One of the premier and best College for pursuing a Physician Assistant course. The University’s main aim is to impart knowledge and to provide facilities for research and development in the emerging areas of Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Business Management, Hospitality Management, Law, Liberal Education, Teacher’s Education, Sports etc | SRM IST is one of the top universities in India. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in Engineering, Management, Medicine, Health Sciences, Science and Humanities. |
| Location | Navi Mumbai | Namakkal |
| NIRF Ranking | 101 | 58 |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. |
| Admission Criteria | Merit-Based | Merit-Based |
| Average Fees | INR 1,00,000 | INR 55,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 5,78,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Max Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Ranbaxy. | Max Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Ranbaxy. |
Source: College Websites
BSc Physician Assistant vs BSc Nursing
The course comparison between BSc Physician Assistant and BSc Nursing is as follows. Also check out the top BSc Nursing Colleges in India.
| Parameter | BSc Physician Assistant | BSc Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | This course is a study about various health-related issues, diagnose and then treatment | This course is a study about maintaining, attaining, and recovering the health quality of patients. |
| Duration | 3 years | 4 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. | Passed Class 12 or equivalent from a recognized board. |
| Admission Procedure | Merit/ Entrance-Based | Merit/ Entrance-Based |
| Job Roles | Dietician, Patient Care Technician, Drug Safety Associate etc. | Nurse, Administrator, Medical Staff Manager, Clinic Specialist etc. |
| Top Recruiting Fields | Hospitals, Clinics, Colleges and Universities etc. | Hospitals, Clinics, Nursing Homes, and many other medical departments |
| Average Fees | INR 1,00,000 - 4,00,000 | INR 20,000 - 2,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 | INR 3,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
What are the Career Options and Job Profiles Available After Completing a BSc Physician Assistant?
The various job prospects and career options for this BSc Physician Assistant course are as follows:
- There are a large number of job opportunities available to students after completing this course. Students can get a chance to work in various Govt and Private medical centers like the Max Hospital and nursing homes and can pursue specialized courses in Cardiothoracic, Neurosurgery, Dermatology, and General Surgery etc.
- Students can work in various areas of employment such as Patient Care Technicians, Dieticians, Teacher, Drug Safety Associates, Ortho Physician Assistants etc.
Some of the popular professional jobs available to BSc Physician Assistant degree holders along with the corresponding salaries are provided in the table given below:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Dietician | Responsible for providing proper diet chart for the patients | INR 6,50,000 |
| Medical Consultant | Responsible for providing support to the experienced doctors | INR 4,55,000 |
| Ortho Physician Assistant | Responsible for supporting patients and doctors | INR 5,30,000 |
| Personal Health Counsellor | Responsible for providing healthcare services to patients. | INR 5,75,000 |
| Drug Safety Associate | A Drug Safety Associate is responsible for checking the number of drugs used in the medicines | INR 6,80,000 |
Source: College Websites
What is the Future Scope After Completing a BSc Physician Assistant Course?
Students who have completed their graduation in Physician Assistant have a large number of career options. The future scopes for students of BSc Physician Assistant course are given below:
Higher Education: Students can opt for higher education post completion of BSc Physician Assistant degree course. The higher education options they can pursue are :
-
MSc.: If one wishes to pursue studies in the same field of education, he/ she can opt for MSc in related discipline i.e. MSc Physician Assistant, MSc Nursing etc.
Check out the Top MSc Nursing Colleges in India.
-
Competitive Exams:Students, after completing their graduation in Physician Assistant, can appear in different competitive examinations for government jobs, including UPSC CSE, IFS, and PSC of different states.
So, after completing BSc Physician Assistant course students will be able to choose a career as per their skills and area of interest. You can go for higher education or you can also opt for a decent job.
BSc Physician Assistant FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the BSc Physician Assistant program are as follows:
Ques. What is the total duration of this course?
Ans. This is a 3-year full time medical degree course.
Ques. Is this the best course for providing moral support to the patient and their family?
Ans. Yes, it is the best course for providing moral support to the patient and their family.
Ques. What does a BSc Physician Assistant do?
Ans. A BSc Physician Assistant degree holder is responsible for assisting doctors/nurses in the time of surgery and providing healthcare services to the patients
Ques. What is the average salary of a BSc Physician Assistant?
Ans. The average salary of a BSc Physician Assistant is around INR 2,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 per annum.
Ques. What is the minimum percentage required for pursuing a BSc in Physician Assistant course in the Intermediate examination?
Ans. An aggregate of at least 55% is required in the Class 12 exams for pursuing BSc in Physician Assistant course.
Ques. What is a Physician Assistant?
Ans. A Physician Assistant is educated in general medicine course and got proper training for practice medicine
Ques. What is the main entrance exam for BSc in Physician Assistant course?
Ans. The main entrance exam for BSc in Physician Assistant course is PANCE.
Ques. What is the average course fee for a BSc Physician Assistant course from Indian Colleges/ Universities?
Ans. The average course fee to pursue a BSc Physician Assistant course usually ranges between INR 1,00,000 and 4,00,000.
Ques. Can I pursue this course in distance-learning mode?
Ans. Yes, you can pursue this course in distance-learning mode from Vinayaka Mission University.
Ques. What are the basic eligibility criteria for pursuing this course?
Ans. To be eligible to get admission to this course, students must complete the 12th final year examination with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as compulsory subjects.
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