Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: B950
• Level: UndergraduateUG BSc (Hons)
• Duration: 3 years full-time
• Starting: September
• Entry Requirements: BBC at A Level, DDM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical, M at T Level in Biology, Science or Health related subject
• Fees UK 25/26: Full Time: £9,535
• Location: Waterside

Overview

The University of Northampton’s Paramedic Science degree programme will provide you with a wide range of academic and practical components to equip you with the required competencies to become a Paramedic registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Highlights

• Robust and supportive mentoring to aid you whilst on paramedical course placements.
• Access to a clinical skills suite that has an ambulance simulator, medium fidelity manikins and a full range of paramedic patient management equipment and patient handling aids to assist you in your learning.
• A variety of placements in clinical practice in both ambulance and non-ambulance areas
• Become registered with the Health and Care Professions Council on completion of the Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) University degree.
• You may be eligible for financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF)
• Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
• HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students*

Entry Requirements

• BBC at A Level including a Science subject (Biology is desirable)
• DDM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical from courses in Science or Health subject areas
• M at T Level in Biology, Science or Health related subject
• Access course (must be health or science related) you will need to achieve 15 level 3 credits at distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit.
• If you have relevant Urgent and Emergency Health Care experience and have a good knowledge of the role of the Paramedic then you are encouraged to apply for this course.

Placements

Placements give you a great opportunity to learn from current healthcare professionals, as well as the Police and Fire Service, who can share their learning and experience with you which will enhance your knowledge and experience.

Course Content

• Stage 1:
  • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
  • Fundamentals of Ambulance Care
  • Bioscience 1 for Paramedic Practice
  • Foundations of Emergency Care
  • Professional Studies for Paramedics
  • Paramedic Practice 1
• Stage 2:
  • Bioscience 2 for Paramedic Practice
  • Research Methods
  • Paramedic Clinical Care
  • Advanced Life Support and Trauma Management
  • Paramedic Practice 2
• Stage 3:
  • Contemporary Contexts of Paramedic Practice
  • Emergency Care of Special Populations
  • Paramedic Practice 3
  • Evidence based Project in Paramedic Science

Student Perks

• At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
• If you join our full-time Paramedic Science degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*.
• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your paramedical science course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

FAQs

• How will I be assessed on the Paramedic Science course?
• Which Driving qualification do I need for the Paramedic university course?
• What is the Code of Conduct for this paramedical course?
• Do I need to have a driving licence before starting the course?
• Will I need to get a specific type of driving licence to work as a paramedic?
• What kind of jobs can I get after completing the paramedic science course?
• Will I be guaranteed a job with the ambulance service after graduation?
• Are there other career paths besides working for an Ambulance service?
• What does ‘fitness to practise’ mean, and how does it affect me as a student or future paramedic?
• Will I need to keep up with CPD after I qualify?

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
  • UK Full Time: £9,535
• Additional costs:
  • Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associate with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.
  • It is essential that you have full UK driving license prior to starting the course. You will need to cover the cost of the driving license.
  • You will be required to provide your own stethoscope and this is the only additional cost that you will have.
  • There is no expectation to purchase any other equipment for this programme – all other uniform, PPE and equipment is provided for you.

Staff

• Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science: Bryn Griffiths
• Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science: Aidan Ward
• Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science: Kirsty Lane
• Senior Lecturer in Paramedic Science: Steve Buckle

Careers and Employability

• Successful completion of our Paramedic Science university degree will enable you to apply for registration as a Paramedic with the Health Professions Council (HCPC), meeting the HCPC’s education requirements for registration.
• Master’s and Postgraduate Opportunities:
  • MSc Public Health
  • MSc Advanced Clinical Practice
  • MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration)

Facilities

• Clinical Skills Suite
• Learning Hub
• Ambulance Simulator

Related Courses

• Adult Nursing BSc (Hons)
• Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
• Podiatry BSc (Hons)
• Midwifery BSc (Hons)
• Learning Disability Nursing BSc (Hons)
• Mental Health Nursing BSc (Hons)

Program Outline

Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) - University of Northampton

Degree Overview:

The University of Northampton's Paramedic Science degree program aims to equip students with the necessary academic and practical skills to become registered Paramedics with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The program is endorsed by the College of Paramedics and is ranked in the top 8 for Paramedic Science in the Complete University Guide league tables for 2024.

Objectives:

• Develop a wide range of academic and practical competencies required for Paramedic practice.
• Meet the HCPC's education requirements for registration as a Paramedic.
• Provide robust and supportive mentoring during placements.
• Provide a variety of placements in both ambulance and non-ambulance settings.
• Guarantee a paid internship through the Northampton Employment Promise.

Outline:

• Fundamentals of Ambulance Care: This compulsory module provides an underpinning of key concepts in patient assessment and professional understanding in ambulance care.
• Foundations of Emergency Care: This compulsory module focuses on assessing and managing patients with various conditions across their lifespan, developing clinical assessment and management skills using equipment and technologies.
• Professional Studies for Paramedics: This compulsory module develops knowledge and understanding of professional issues related to paramedic practice, including a holistic patient perspective, ethical, legal, and social awareness.
• Research Methods: This compulsory module develops a critical understanding of research to facilitate and apply evidence-based practice.
• Advanced Life Support and Trauma Management: This compulsory module develops the ability to recognize and manage patients in advanced life support (ALS) presentations or those with traumatic injuries, increasing skills in providing interventions to critically unwell patients.
• Emergency Care of Special Populations: This compulsory module enables students to comprehensively manage a range of clinical presentations in the out-of-hospital environment, considering evidence-based medicine and principles of autonomous practice.
• Paramedic Practice 3: This compulsory module continues advancing professional practice, developing independent decision-making and leadership skills to prepare for HCPC registration.
• Evidence-based Project in Paramedic Science: This compulsory module enables students to undertake research evidence acquisition and interpretation, exploring implications for practice and proposing changes in practice.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Written exams
• Oral exams
• Presentations
• Practical (OSCE) exams

Teaching:

• The teaching team consists of experienced Paramedics and Specialist Paramedics working in pre-hospital and hospital settings.
• All teaching staff have significant practice experience and qualifications, with many holding postgraduate certificates in Medical Education.
• The program utilizes a clinical skills suite with a purpose-built ambulance simulator, specialized equipment, manikins, and a full range of paramedic patient management equipment and patient handling aids.

Careers:

• Successful completion of the program enables graduates to apply for registration as a Paramedic with the HCPC.
• Graduates can pursue Master's and postgraduate programs, including MSc Public Health, MSc Advancing Practice, MSc Advanced Clinical Practice, and MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration).
• The program offers a range of short courses and continuing professional development (CPD) programs to enhance skills, progress into specialisms, or take on new responsibilities.

Other:

• The program includes placements in a variety of healthcare settings, including ambulance service, hospital A&E, cardiac and Paediatrics, hospital Theatres, Maternity, and Minor injury and illness.
• Students are placed in counties across Leicestershire or Northamptonshire for their 3 years of study.
• Students are required to complete approximately 750 hours of self-directed/private study for each year of the course.
• The program emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice and critical thinking.
• Students are expected to conduct themselves in line with the Code of Conduct relating to student paramedics registering with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK – Full Time: £9,250 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UK – Full Time: £9,250 Additional costs Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associate with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based. It is essential that you have full UK driving license prior to starting the course. You will need to cover the cost of the driving license. The NHS Learning Support Fund Students, studying nursing, midwifery and many of the allied health professions courses from September 2020, may be eligible for a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. This is in addition to the Student Loan from the Student Loans Company. Financial contribution towards your travel, and expenses in relation to your practice learning opportunities, may be available to you from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Financial contribution towards your travel and expenses, in relation to your practice learning opportunities, may be available for you from the NHS Learning Support Fund.