Paramedic Practice

Program Overview

Paramedic Practice BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Paramedic Practice BSc (Hons) program is a three-year undergraduate degree that prepares students to become qualified paramedics. The program is taught primarily at St James' in Manchester, in collaboration with the North West Ambulance Service.

Course Features

• Professional accreditation
• Professional practice placements

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Bioscience for Paramedics
• Clinical Practice and Simulation 1
• Development of Study Skills in Paramedic Practice
• Fundamentals of Professional Paramedic Practice
• Principles of Assessment and Management in Paramedic Practice

Year 2

• Assessment, Decision-Making and Management
• Clinical Practice and Simulation 2
• Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Paramedic Practice
• Research and Evidence Based Practice

Year 3

• Clinical Practice and Simulation 3
• Exploring the Scope of Paramedic Practice
• Paramedic Practice in Primary and Urgent Care
• Professional Paramedic Practice

How You'll Study

The course is delivered in weekly blocks of theory and practice placements throughout each year. While the majority of classes will take place at St James', a small number of taught sessions, assessments, and learning opportunities will take place at the Ormskirk campus of Edge Hill University.

How You'll Be Assessed

The assessment process includes written essays, case studies, written examinations, practical examinations (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), student presentations, and practice assessment documentation.

Who Will Be Teaching You

The main teaching team for this program are registered paramedics. In addition, nurses, allied health and medical professionals, and other academic members will be involved in elements of teaching and assessment.

Entry Criteria

• Typical offer: 112-120 UCAS Tariff points, for which no specific subjects are required, plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at Grade C or Grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
• Applicants must be aged 18 years or over at the start of the course and have permanent UK resident status.
• Applicants must possess a full manual UK driving license with no more than 6 points on commencement of the course.
• Eligible candidates must provide evidence of study within the five years prior to application. An interview forms the selection process.

Example Offers

• A Level: BBC-BBB
• UCAS Tariff points: 112-120 points
• BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications): Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM)
• T Level: Overall grade of Merit
• International Baccalaureate (IB): We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points.

Facilities

The course is primarily delivered at St James' in central Manchester, where the clinical skills facilities include an ambulance simulator. A limited number of sessions will also take place in the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine at Edge Hill University.

Finance

• 2025/26 Tuition fees: £9,535 per year (UK Full-Time)
• Students on this course may be entitled to the NHS Learner Support Fund if eligible.

Your Future Career

Your career prospects are excellent. Qualified paramedics in urgent and emergency care settings are highly sought after. Graduates typically kickstart their career in the ambulance service as newly qualified paramedics, but during their careers also go into other roles such as:

• Senior paramedic team leader
• Advanced paramedic
• Senior lecturer
• Research paramedic
• Advanced clinical practitioner

Some graduates stay within the ambulance service, moving through various senior clinical routes or into primary and urgent care. Edge Hill graduates have worked in:

• North West Ambulance Service
• Ambulance services across the UK
• NHS Trusts
• Higher Education Institutions

Alternatively, after graduation, you may want to continue your studies and complete a postgraduate qualification.

Program Outline

Outline:

• The Paramedic Practice degree program at Edge Hill University is a three-year, full-time program that prepares students for a career as a paramedic.
• The program is taught primarily at St James' in Manchester in collaboration with the North West Ambulance Service.
• Students will learn the fundamentals of paramedic practice, including professional duty of care, patient diversity, and legal frameworks.
• They will also study how to recognize signs of clinical deterioration in patients that require timely intervention.
• The program includes extensive clinical placements, giving students the opportunity to apply their skills in real-world settings.

Assessment:

• The assessment process includes written essays, case studies, written examinations, practical examinations (Objective Structured Clinical Examinations), student presentations, and practice assessment documentation.

Teaching:

• The main teaching team for this program are registered paramedics.
• In addition, nurses, allied health and medical professionals, and other academic members will be involved in elements of teaching and assessment.
• In the workplace, students will be supported by paramedic mentors, practice supervisors, and qualified paramedics who will guide and supervise them during their placement.

Careers:

• Graduates of the Paramedic Practice degree program are qualified to work as paramedics in urgent and emergency care settings.
• They may also pursue careers in other roles, such as senior paramedic team leader, advanced paramedic, senior lecturer, research paramedic, or advanced clinical practitioner.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the College of Paramedics.
• Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).