Part-time program Physician Assistant (B.Sc.) – Kolping University

👉 You have a nationally recognized health or nursing education and want to take on more responsibility in patient care? In the 3.5-year part-time Bachelor's degree programme Physician Assistant, you will acquire medical expertise, for example in emergency medicine, surgery, and pharmacology, and support doctors in making diagnoses, performing operations, and creating treatment plans. The programme combines online learning with practical phases in skills labs, hospitals, and practices. Admission requirements include German language skills (at least B2 level) and a relevant vocational training.

Physician Assistant (B.Sc.) at a Glance

📜 Degree Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
⏳ Duration 7 Semesters
💶 Fees
from 330 € monthly
from 16700 € total
🏫 Provider Kolping University, UAS based in Köln (Germany)
Kolping University of Applied Sciences for Health and Social Affairs (Kolping Hochschule) is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Cologne, founded in 2019. It runs as a digital on-campus university: live online lectures and tutorials take place in a virtual campus, combined with self-study phases and on-site workshops (Case Days) in Cologne. This lets you study from anywhere in Germany alongside a job, vocational training, or family. Important for international applicants: all Bachelor programmes are taught in German, so German language skills are required. The portfolio focuses on health and social fields, from Social Work and Childhood Pedagogy to Health Psychology, Gerontology, and the new Physician Assistant degree.
📋 Study Format Part-time program
🎓 Field of Study Health & SocialMedicine
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Foundations of Medicine, Medical Technology and Medical Products, Introduction to Clinical Medicine, Clinical History and Examination, Pharmacology and Toxicology, General and Visceral Surgery, Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Neurology Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Introduction to Public Health, Medical Imaging Techniques, Internal Medicine II, Gerontology/Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Wound Management and Pain Therapy, Surgical Teaching Laboratory & Functional Diagnostics, Outpatient Care Paediatrics Urology Gynaecology Neurology Orthopaedics, General Medicine Prevention, ENT Urology, Anaesthesiology Intensive Care, Communication and Conversation
📚 Electives Paediatrics, Urology, Gynaecology, Neurology, Orthopaedics
📍 Location Cologne
📅 Enrollment Winter or summer semester
🔗 More Info View Vendor Profile

Who benefits most from the Physician Assistant degree programme?

You are addressed with the Bachelor's degree programme Physician Assistant if you already work in a healthcare or nursing profession and want to take on more responsibility in patient care in the future. The study programme is particularly suitable for qualified professionals - such as those from nursing, elderly care, medical assisting professions, or therapeutic professions. You aim to take on delegated medical tasks and work as a link between the medical and nursing team - for example in hospitals, practices, or outpatient care centres. The programme is aimed at professionals who want to academically expand their expertise and apply it in practice alongside their studies.

What formal requirements must you meet?

In order to be admitted to the Bachelor's programme Physician Assistant (B.Sc.), you need:

  • General university entrance qualification (A levels), technical college entrance qualification, or subject-specific university entrance qualification
  • OR: a completed, state-recognized vocational training in a relevant healthcare or nursing profession plus several years of professional experience
  • OR: a master craftsman's certificate or a comparable advanced training in a relevant field
  • Proof of German language skills at least at B2 level (for non-native speakers)
  • Completed and state-recognized vocational training in one of the following professions (examples):
    • Healthcare and nursing nurse
    • Healthcare and pediatric nurse
    • Elderly care nurse
    • Medical technical radiology assistant (MTRA/MTAR)
    • Medical-technical functional diagnostics assistant
    • Occupational medical assistant
    • Medical assistant (MFA)
    • Operating room assistant (OTA)
    • Occupational therapist
    • Physiotherapist
    • Midwife or obstetrician
    • Paramedic
    • Other qualifying professions can be recognized after individual assessment

 

Personally, you should bring the following requirements:

  • Willingness to take on responsibility in patient care and interprofessional teams
  • Strong communication skills, even in challenging situations
  • High motivation for professional development
  • Ability for self-directed learning and structured work alongside your profession
  • Empathy and teamwork in dealing with patients and colleagues
  • Interest in medical science and healthcare organization

Which specialist competencies does the Physician Assistant programme impart?

In the Bachelor's programme Physician Assistant (B.Sc.), you will learn comprehensive medical and health science fundamentals. The curriculum covers, among others, the following areas:

  • Basic scientific principles of medicine
  • Medical technology and medical products
  • Clinical medicine as well as medical history taking and examination techniques
  • Pharmacology, toxicology, emergency medicine, and anaesthesiology
  • Surgery (general and visceral, orthopaedics, trauma surgery)
  • Neurology, psychiatry, and neuropsychology
  • Public health and healthcare
  • Process management and documentation
  • Patient and team communication

Practical competencies are acquired through Skills Lab trainings (e.g., imaging, internal medicine II, gerontology, and wound management) as well as through specific clinical modules and internships in various healthcare settings. The training aims to enable you to assist with diagnosis, therapy, surgeries, patient admission, and emergency care. You will become familiar with modern medical technology tools and learn practical processes – from patient management to quality assurance in healthcare.

How does the Physician Assistant study programme work alongside a profession?

The programme is explicitly designed for professionals in the healthcare sector and typically takes 7 semesters (3.5 years) to complete. The course combines flexible online elements with practice-oriented face-to-face phases:

  • Online presence learning: You will study through the digital learning platform with access to study materials, library, and digital lecture hall. Classes take place outside of regular working hours.
  • Skills Lab units: Four block phases (each Wednesday to Saturday) at the university or partner clinics, totaling 30 hours of face-to-face training.
  • Seven integrated internships: A practical phase in each semester (75 hours each), including areas like internal medicine, emergency medicine, outpatient care, and communication management. Time recording is flexible – from part-time to block internships.
  • Multiple practical clinical modules connecting theory and practice: 40 hours of practical transfer per module in healthcare facilities.
  • Support through individual mentoring and professional study support. Reflection and self-organization are encouraged through learning diaries and logbook documentation.
  • Free extension of studies and sabbatical semesters are possible if needed.

In addition, students attend face-to-face phases at the Cologne campus (e.g., Case Days). Exams, lecture recordings, and access to the Kolping network are available online.

What are the job prospects as a Physician Assistant?

After completing the programme, you will work as a link between doctors and nursing staff. Typical fields of employment include:

  • Outpatient care: Supporting doctors in practices, including medical history taking, examinations, and administrative tasks such as quality management or writing medical reports.
  • Hospitals: Undertaking tasks in the inpatient setting – from patient conversations, ward rounds, and sonographic examinations to surgical assistance (1st surgical assistant).

Additional career options exist in rehabilitation centres, specialised clinics, emergency management, or medical care centres. The degree qualifies you for responsible roles in the healthcare system – particularly aligning with the current recommendations of the German Medical Association for Physician Assistants. Roles in process management, documentation, and interface coordination within multiprofessional teams are gaining significance.

How do the costs and financing options for the study programme work?

For the Physician Assistant programme at Kolping University, there are various fee models:

  • Model 1: €330 per month over 54 months
  • Model 2: €410 per month over 42 months (3.4% discount compared to Model 1)
  • Model 3: One-time payment of €16,700 (6.3% discount compared to Model 1)

You can reduce costs through prior achievements, such as recognition of relevant qualifications or work experience. Additionally, scholarships and grants from employers are possible. The university offers guidance on funding opportunities. In the healthcare sector, employers often contribute to financing, especially if you aim to advance within the company. The fees are tax-deductible as professional expenses.

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