Bachelor of Science

Physician Assistant

to the study programmes

Assistance in medicine

A degree programme for anyone who would like to support doctors in clinics and surgeries. The medical assistant profession, which has existed internationally for many decades, is still new in Germany, and physician assistants (PAs) are sought-after specialists.

  • ECTS: 210 ECTS
  • Programme duration: 7 semesters
  • Campus: Schwenningen
  • Faculty: Medical and Life Sciences
  • Programme begins: winter semester (October)
  • Application deadline: 15 July (winter semester)
  • Entry requirements: university entrance qualification, semester fees of €149
  • Teaching language: German
  • Accreditation: yes (accredited through the university system accreditation)
  • Important bridge PAs work at the interface between medical and nursing staff and relieve both professional groups. As a PA, you take on medical activities.
  • Medicine of the future Our society is getting increasingly older, and medical and technical developments are making patient care ever more complex. We train you for this.
  • Wide field of application As a PA, you can support doctors and nursing staff in many areas, from organisation and documentation to delegable medical treatments.
  • Close to people You'll become familiar with a wide range of clinical presentations and their treatment options. It is a challenging and meaningful field of work - and never boring. Accept the challenge!

Details of the programme

Programme content and structure

Seven semesters to become a medical assistant

On the Physician Assistant programme you'll gain initial insights into the profession in subjects such as anamnesis, anatomy, physiology and rehabilitation. After that, you'll focus more and more on clinical subjects and diagnostics. You'll also be taught fundamentals of the natural sciences and get an introduction to scientific methods.

We show you how an EEG or ECG works - so that you can apply this in the third semester when you go into practice. We work together with various practice partners in the region, for example with many clinics where you can work in a wide range of specialist areas.
Of course, you will also learn about professional law and the structures of healthcare and billing systems. In the second practical semester, you can specialise further before writing your thesis in the seventh semester and graduating!

What you can expect

On this programme, you will have theoretical lessons in the form of seminars and lectures. In addition to medical expertise, you'll learn many other skills, for example  statistics or quality management. Practical lessons take place in the HFU skills labs and with our practice partners. You'll often make important contacts there. After completing your bachelor's degree in the seventh semester, you can start your career straight away! 

Practical internship semester

You will complete a total of two practical semesters during your studies. These are based on the practical year for students of human medicine. The practical semesters are divided into two blocks. The first practical semester focuses on the fields of surgery and internal medicine. The second practical semester consists of two blocks, the subject areas of which you can choose individually.

Entry requirements

Supporting documentation

Only a university entrance qualification is required.

Additional proof is required for subsequent enrollment:

  • Proof of a four-week nursing internship
  • Police clearance certificate (document type NE)
  • Proof of the required vaccinations for the healthcare sector
  • Medical certificate of medical fitness to work as a Physician Assistant

Student semester fees

A fee of €149 per semester is payable.

PA specifics

Our interview with Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Margareta Müller provides a very good overview of the PA degree programme. 

External link opens in a new window:To the interview

What's included

Theoretical and practical content of your PA degree programme

Medical basics for patient-related activities, especially in the fields of surgery, internal medicine, central interdisciplinary emergency room, anesthesia and intensive care medicine:

  • Basic natural sciences, anatomy/physiology, pathology/pathophysiology, pharmacology, microbiology/hygiene
  • Clinical medicine (basics, principles, procedures), anamnesis, physical and instrumental examination, surgical teaching, functional diagnostics

Main subjects:

  • Internal medicine: nephrology, cardiology, pulmonology, infectiology
  • Surgery: cardiothoracic surgery, urology, ENT, ophthalmology, dermatology
  • Emergency medicine/emergency management, anesthesiology

Selection of other specialties:

  • Orthopaedics/trauma surgery
  • geriatrics
  • Pediatrics
  • Psychiatry and psychosomatics
  • Gynecology/obstetrics
  • Neurology

General process management with the basics of law, economics, IT, quality management, medical technology in the form of lectures and seminars in the subjects:

  • Public Health
  • Legal aspects
  • Medical technology/medical devices
  • Information technology, quality management

Medical process and documentation management, such as content on patient care, compliance management, treatment planning and treatment documentation:

  • Documentation, remuneration and healthcare system
  • Key skills: project management, moderation techniques, presentation, conflict management, communication and discussion techniques
  • Fundamentals of scientific theory and scientific methods

    Special features

    This study programme is not a medical degree, and no license to practice medicine is issued after graduation. As a PA, you are bound by instructions when providing medical treatment, which means that the responsibility is borne by the doctor who has assigned the treatment to you.

    You do not need any prior training to apply for the Physician Assistant course. However, you must have completed a four-week internship in nursing by the end of the first semester at the latest so that you can be sure that working with patients is right for you.

    Your career prospects

    We only have to mention the shortage of specialists ...
    As a PA, you can work in inpatient care in urban and rural areas, for example in a general medical practice or hospital.
    As an assistant to the medical management in medical departments, the fields of activity range from treatment documentation to supporting interventions in emergency care. Whether in surgery or taking over patient consultations - you are always close to people in all medical specialties, with this degree you have career prospects at home and abroad!  PAs are highly valued employees in the practice, allowing medical specialists to focus more on their area of specialisation.

    Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences

    At the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, everything revolves around the life sciences. Those who study with us contribute to improving people's health and quality of life. Our society is aging – which is why specialist knowledge in areas such as process engineering and (molecular) medicine, medical technology and biosciences is becoming increasingly important. Our degree programmes train you to become sought-after experts in biotechnology, the environment, diagnostics or therapy and prevention.

    Find out more about the Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences (MLS)

    The MLS faculty is one of the strongest in research at HFU. You will gain many insights into current research issues during your studies and will be able to participate in specific tasks. Click here for current HFU research projects.

    Faculty news

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    Your key contacts

    •  Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Margareta Müller
      Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Margareta Müller Dean of Studies Physician Assistant (BSc) (PA)
      Deputy Head of Examinations Office
    •  Claudia Kühlbach
      Claudia Kühlbach Member of academic staff