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Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences at Lancaster University - UCAS

Lancaster University

Degree level: Postgraduate

Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences (Taught)

Course summary

The Postgraduate Diploma in Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences (PGDip AaPOS) is a part-time programme designed to train Student Anaesthesia Associates to become qualified Anaesthesia Associates. The programme comprises five modules aligned with the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ (RCoA) Anaesthesia Associates curriculum. These are assessed using a combination of continuous assessment, and written assessments that are aligned with the General Medical Council (GMC) Anaesthesia Associate Registration Asessment (AARA), and presentations. A cross-cutting clinical skills and simulation theme relates the modules to practice in addition to providing robust preparation for the AARA. The five modules are:

  • Fundamentals of anaesthesia and peri-operative practice.
  • Physiology under stress.
  • Applied pharmacology and safety.
  • Safety, governance and population health.
  • Workplace-based assessment
The qualification is required for employment as an Anaesthesia Associate.


Entry requirements

Entrants onto the course are either registered healthcare professionals (examples are nurses or operating department practitioners) with at least three years clinical experience and/or degree level studies, or graduates with a biomedical science or biological science 2:1 honours degree or better. Those applying on the basis of clinical experience, or who graduated from their degree programme more than seven years ago, will need to demonstrate in their CV that they have been engaging with continuing professional development (CPD), for example, through revalidation. Applicants are required to be appointed by an NHS Trust to a Student Anaesthesia Associate post, prior to applying to this programme. The programme is designed for the training of Anaesthesia Associates and only those already recruited by an NHS Trust for this purpose are eligible to apply. If you have not ben appointed to a Student Anaesthesia Associate post, please contact your local NHS Trust for details on employment opportunities.


Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For information about fees and funding please visit our website: www.lancaster.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding.
Anaesthesia and Peri-Operative Sciences at Lancaster University - UCAS