Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Physician Associate PGDip
Online Interview Information - 2025 entry
Congratulations on being selected for an interview for our Physician Associate PGDip programme
The interview process for this programme comprises two parts; both of which you must complete within the booked timescale:
1. An individual online recorded video Multiple Mini Interview, using a system called SAMMI Select. This consists of 4 questions. You will have a week in which to carry out your interview, at a time which suits you
Please refer to the following information guide for full details (please note this mentions 7 questions, but for Physician Associate, it is definitely 4): SAMMI Interview Guide
2. A separate online group roleplay question, conducted online “in person” through Zoom. This will be held on a day within the interview week, and you must be available for a one-hour slot between 09:30 and 12:30 (UK GMT). You will be allocated a specific slot, which will be advised to you in a separate email when you have booked your interview slot.
The date for the roleplay interview is included in the title of the interview event you have booked in your Surrey Self-Service Portal, for example:
Please click on the following link to access information regarding this process: Physician Associate Roleplay Interview Guide
You can find some general information to help you prepare for the whole interview process below:
Advice for your online interview
Test your internet connection, camera and microphone
Remember to smile and make eye contact. Look directly at the camera not the screen.
Dress professionally, as you would for an in-person interview.
Consider in-depth why you have chosen a career as a Physician Associate. Start by reading about the programme on our website.
Choose a room that is quiet and free of distraction. Make sure there is enough light and suitable background.
Take part in mock interviews, but do not pre-empt questions that might come up.
Consider current innovation, research and ethical issues related to the PA profession.
Use your work experience when discussing your answer. Be aware that the interviewers have not seen your application form so you need to be specific about examples that you are using.
Values and Competencies
The University of Surrey selects applicants using an assessment of key attributes as outlined by the Faculty of Physician Associates (FPA) at the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). The aim of both parts of the interview is therefore for us to ensure that we select students who will procced to successfully practice as registered Physician Associates in the UK.
Examples of the values and competencies that the questions are designed to assess:
Example scenario
You are a small animal vet who is brought an injured dog. The dog had been competing at dog agility yesterday where it suffered a bad fall. The dog had initially appeared fine yesterday, but today is demonstrating an injury that is serious and unfortunately untreatable that means the dog will not be able to compete anymore. The dog had been competing at a high level and had been worth a lot of money. The owner had not been at the clinic when you examined their dog. You are planning how to contact them. How do you approach this emotional situation and break the news that the dog will never compete again?
The aim of the scenario is to assess your ability to communicate, show empathy and emotional intelligence.
*Please note that this is a question unrelated to a Physician Associate setting to provide you only with an example of the style of questioning.
team
Innititive and problem solving
Awareness of current innovation, research or ethical issues related to PAs
Awareness of the PA profession
What happens next?
1. The outcome of your interview will be updated through your UCAS Hub. We will aim to let you know within four weeks of your interview whether you are successful or not. Following the interview, you are given an overall mark and placed into one of three categories accordingly: Offer, Hold in a waiting list or Reject. If you are offered a place you will also receive an offer letter through Surrey Self Service. All of our offers will be made subject to a health screening and DBS checks.
2. Once you receive an offer you will need to meet the academic and non-academic conditions of your offer to secure your place at Surrey. We would advise you to read the offer letter carefully. During this time, you should consider uploading any documents outstanding on Surrey Self such as your GCSE English and Mathematics certificates and degree certificate and transcripts (if you have not done so already).
3. We will confirm the majority of offers in August 2025, however if you have already achieved qualifications at the point of application we can offer well before this. Once you meet the conditions of your offer, we will change your status to Unconditional. The confirmation will be updated through UCAS Hub and Surrey Self-Service.
4. The health screening will involve completing a simple form. Occupational health services are provided by Cordell Health on behalf of the University of Surrey. A link will be sent to offer holders in the summer by Cordell Health for you to complete this screening.
5. A link to complete a DBS check will be emailed to all applicants nearer to the start of the programme. If you do hold a conviction or caution, please ensure you confirm this through UCAS. We must have this information by the time of interview.
6. Online pre-registration opens at the beginning of September 2025.
Frequently asked questions
I cannot attend the interview, what should I do?
Please contact us immediately at admissions@surrey.ac.uk. We can rearrange your interview as long as you have a valid reason for not attending.
I cannot connect to the meeting link on the day, what should I do?
If you are unable to access the Zoom meeting on the day at your allotted time, please contact the Admissions office on 01483682222 and email us at with the subject line “URGENT: PA InterviewLink Not Working” at admissions@surrey.ac.uk
I don’t have my ID, what should I do?
You may complete the interview in the meantime; however, we will be unable to make a decision on your application until we receive your ID uploaded to Surrey Self-Service. We will accept a photo/colour scan of your passport, provisional/official driving license or BRP card. We do NOT accept birth certificates or school/college/university ID.
I have been interviewed but am still awaiting my decision. How long will this take to be confirmed?
We will usually make decisions within four weeks of interview, however, in occasional cases this may take longer, as some applicants may not be eligible for an offer at this stage and be placed in a waiting list. Please do not worry, we will always let you know in good time for your UCAS deadline.
I have been placed on a waiting list – when will a decision be made on my application?
Candidates who do not hear from us within four weeks or their interview are automatically held in a waiting list and may receive an offer as places become available later in the cycle. All formal offers will be made through UCAS no later than May 2025 if you have applied by the January 2025 UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline. If you applied following this, it may take longer.
My interview was unsuccessful, can I reapply for the next academic year?
Please note that if you are unsuccessful in any component of the interview and selection day, you cannot request a second opportunity to interview. However, you are able to re-apply for the following academic year and your previous unsuccessful application will not have an effect on your new application for 2026 entry.
My Surrey Self Service says evidence is pending, what do I need to do?
The deadline for formally submitting all other evidence will be the 29th August 2025. However, we would advise doing this as soon as possible to avoid this being a condition of your offer should you be eligible for one. If we have requested evidence of previously achieved qualifications, please upload the certificates or transcripts as requested. If you have misplaced these or are no longer able to access these documents, you are able to request replacements by contacting your exam board directly.
Am I able to defer my place to study to September 2026?
Unfortunately, we are not able to allow deferred entry for admission to the September 2026 academic year. This is due to the fact that there are only a limited number of placements available each year through which students are able to gain work experience towards professional accreditation upon successful completion of the course. Should you wish to apply for deferred entry, you will therefore have to resubmit a formal application and reapply next year, where you would have to be reassessed at interview, unless you are able to provide exceptional extenuating circumstances which would then be referred for further assessment
Am I able to study Part-Time?
Due to factors such as practical teaching, you will be required on campus for both years of study. This is a very packed course - 45 weeks per year, Monday- Friday, 9am - 6pm. Students are expected to attend everything, which includes 1600 hours of theory and 1600 hours of clinical practice over the two year course. You are therefore unable to take this course part time, online via distance learning, or across a single year. We also strongly advise PA students not to find work in addition to this study workload.
Thank you for your time and if you have any other questions, please contact us at admissions@surrey.ac.uk
If your enquiry is time sensitive and you are due to attend an interview in the next 24 hours, please call us on +44 (0)1483 682222.
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