of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
PARAMEDIC SCIENCE
BSc (Hons)
This course is subject to HCPC approval
Accredited by University College Birmingham
Award
BSc (Hons)
Course Level
4-6
Duration
3 years full-time
Placement
Approx. 600 clinical hours per academic year
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
Paramedicine is a rapidly expanding field in the UK due to the aging population and changing healthcare needs
You could receive a £5,000 non-repayable grant and up to £1,000 to support childcare costs
Our BSc in Paramedic Science is an innovative degree where you will learn the underpinning paramedic knowledge, skills, values and behaviours fundamental to professional paramedic practice. Crucially, it gives graduates eligibility to apply for registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and enter the workforce as a registered Allied Health Professional.
UK paramedics have diverse roles, including responding to emergency calls, providing pre-hospital care and performing medical procedures such as administering medications, intubation and defibrillation. And not all qualified paramedics wear green. They work in many other areas of healthcare, including primary care in general practice and out in the community, as well as in education.
With training in our cutting-edge simulation facilities, the course will enable you to deliver safe and proficient paramedic care across diverse settings. Through immersive and simulation-driven learning, you will actively engage in your educational journey, while the course's pedagogical approach facilitates the practical application of theoretical concepts to solidify your comprehension of paramedic science.
In addition to medical expertise, you will gain advanced abilities in communication, teamwork, clinical decision making and the factors that impact healthcare, while our curriculum explores paramedic care methodologies from around the world. The course is also seeking accreditation by the College of Paramedics.
Why should I choose this course?
- PRACTICE PLACEMENTS – Gain practical experience on multiple placements with ambulance services and clinical practice areas and in community settings
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Perfect your practical skills on campus in our Health Skills and Simulation Suite, with state-of-the-art simulation facilities including a replica hospital ward. Students will also have access to a simbulance - a fully functioning ambulance capable of recording various training scenarios
- MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH – Access to the University's prosthetics team and their skills in replicating injuries for a realistic approach to patient care
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)
Our facilities
As a student on our paramedic course, you will have access to our university healthcare team, including our Health Skills and Simulation Suite. This includes a purpose-built six-bed hospital ward to help you practise your clinical paramedic skills and enhance your practical training. We are committed to creating ‘real-life’ in situ paramedic experiences and have access to a simbulance and other specific ambulance simulation equipment for you to apply your knowledge and practise your clinical skills in a safe learning environment.
Course breakdown
*Please note: This is a new course and the exact module titles and details of each module are currently being finalised.
Subjects you will study in year 1 (more details coming soon)
- Clinical skills
- Practice placement
- Health sciences
- Law and ethics
- Academic writing skills
- Communication
- Prepare and prevent
Subjects you will study in year 2 (more details coming soon)
- Clinical skills
- Practice placement
- Safeguarding and vulnerable groups
- Pharmacology and pharmacokinetics
- Evidence informed practitioner
- Professional practice
- Science
Subjects you will study in year 3 (more details coming soon)
- Research project
- Transition into practice
- Injury and illness
- Practice placement
"Our innovative BSc in Paramedic Science offers students a unique opportunity to engage in an extensive and diverse curriculum, featuring a wide array of practice-based learning encounters. This programme adopts a multi-professional approach, ensuring that you are fully prepared to become a forward-thinking paramedic in the ever-evolving field of healthcare."
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- Typical UCAS offer: 112-120 points, plus GCSE in maths and English at grade C (4) or above
- A-levels - grades BBC or equivalent
- Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
- Access to Higher Education Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points
- UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
- OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
- T-levels - Eligible T-level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer
The course is designed to meet all the necessary requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in relation to the standards of proficiency, so that students are eligible to apply for registration as a paramedic and to use the protected title of paramedic.
All applicants must be 18 years or over when the course starts.
If you have any questions about applying to University College Birmingham for this course, please complete our enquiry form here.
Not yet ready to apply for the Paramedic Science degree course?
If you don't currently meet the academic entry requirements above, we recommend applying for our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Social Science and Health) course. This course is the best option to assist you in attaining any entry criteria you do not already have.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Students must also complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The University will coordinate and fund the completion of the DBS check. Further information is available regarding the DBS check – the requirements prior to entry onto the course can be found here and a summary of the documents required for the application process can be found here.
Pre-course health and immunisation requirements
Students must complete a Pre-course Health Questionnaire and meet the Immunisation Requirements.
In addition to the above, we would also strongly recommend that applicants receive the latest vaccinations against Covid-19 and influenza, though this is not compulsory for entry.
Interview
Each shortlisted candidate for the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree will receive an invitation to participate in an interview with our Admissions team. Interviews will be in line with the National Health Service Constitution, seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care. Interviews will be held on site, the chance for applicants to explore our excellent facilities, interact with our experienced academics and engage with fellow applicants.
International students
If English is your second language, you must be able to demonstrate that your level of English is of a sufficient standard (IELTS 7. With no elements below 6.5 or equivalent).
Academic entry requirements: Please visit our Country Specific Information page.
Did you know that we offer an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Social Science and Health, which can offer an alternative pathway onto this degree course for those who don’t possess the necessary qualifications.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
A typical teaching week for this full-time course (approximately 12 hours) will include a range of teaching and learning strategies designed to enhance your academic journey and may include:
- Practical skills and simulation sessions
- Placement learning opportunities
- E-learning
- Small group teaching and discussion groups
- Seminars and lectures
- Self-directed study
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment
You will be assessed in a variety of ways. Assessments may include objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), coursework and written examinations.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Tuition fees
UK students
If you are a UK student enrolling on a standard-length Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half-year tuition fee is £4,625. There will be no change to this tuition fee for the forthcoming two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
View undergraduate fees
International students
If you are an international student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £13,500 per year. The course fee for academic year 2024/2025 is £14,000 per year.
If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
Funding for Paramedic students
Additional support is available to Paramedic students students via the Learner Support Fund, which includes a non-repayable payment of £5,000 to eligible students each academic year, and additional payments worth up to a total of £3,000.
Uniform and kit costs
This course requires a uniform and laptop or other means to complete coursework. This will be redeemed from The Kick-Start Scheme fund, paid to each student at the start of each academic year. Exact costs and information on how to order required items will be provided to you prior to enrolment.
Kick-Start Scheme
As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.
Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.
Unibuddy Community - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, you will be invited to join our Unibuddy Community, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation email to complete your registration and join the Unibuddy Community. For more information, check out our Unibuddy Community page.
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Work placements
Practice placements are vital for gaining real-life experience and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and they may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help find the ideal placement for you.
Our BSc Paramedic Science course features multiple practice placements with our practice partners in different environments throughout your studies. Over the three years, you will need to complete 1,800 clinical practice hours on placement.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Elite EMS ambulance service
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
- Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
- Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Birmingham and Solihull NHS Training Hub
- The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Career opportunities
Note: Some roles below may require further study/training. The roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Paramedic
Average Salary: £25,794
Advanced clinical practitioner
Average Salary: £50,173
Critical care paramedic
Average Salary: £35,543
Custody paramedic
Average Salary: £37,000
Prescribing paramedic
Average Salary: £55,000
Paramedic educator
Average Salary: £42,500
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BSc (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses.
Claire's Story
Claire McCullagh is an experienced paramedic who is bringing her expertise to University College Birmingham as course lead and senior lecturer on our paramedic science degree.
