Program Overview

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Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Overview

This degree has been developed in collaboration with Yorkshire Ambulance Service, and develops autonomous healthcare professionals with eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Paramedic.

You will learn the fundamentals of paramedic theory and practice in both university and ambulance service teaching facilities. You will also gain learning experiences under the direct supervision of mentors in ambulance service clinical practice placements, as well as other selected clinical practice areas.

The programme includes:

• A paid sandwich year with the ambulance service providing a unique opportunity to gain work experience during the programme
• Clinical placements with a wide range of healthcare providers
• Innovative curriculum using team-based learning
• Clear focus on patient safety
• Clear focus on managing the needs of aging populations, with taught content from leading dementia researchers
• Extensive use of high fidelity simulation to develop core skills and behaviours

The role of the paramedic

The paramedic is an essential part of the current and future NHS workforce.

Paramedics have traditionally responded to 999 emergencies, but increasing demand for services has seen innovative ways of working across the emergency care system emerge, with paramedics working in a range of environments.

To cope with these demands, the paramedic needs to manage an increasingly diverse range of situations. On this programme you will learn how to manage undifferentiated patients, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, request and interpret tests, diagnose injury and illness, provide appropriate treatment and management, and counsel on preventative healthcare.

Our unique sandwich degree offers you the chance to gain valuable real-world clinical experience and develop specialisms, providing opportunities for accelerated career progression and diversity.

Professional accreditation

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as meeting their standards for the paramedic profession. This means you'll be able to register with them as a paramedic and work as a qualified paramedic upon successful completion of this course.

Entry requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 128 UCAS tariff points.

You will need a full, clean (manual) driving licence, which must remain so for the duration of the programme. You will also need to have the right to work in the UK to be able to start the course.

Driving Licence requirements:

All applicants require a full, clean (manual) UK driving licence with at least provisional C1 entitlement at point of entry onto the programme. Licences with any endorsements will not be accepted. You will be required to pass the C1 test by the start of academic year 3, however there is an additional cost associated with this which will be borne by you. Without this qualification you will be unable to progress further on the programme.

Please be aware that it is your responsibility to maintain a full, clean (manual) UK driving licence throughout the duration of the programme, and that failure to do so may prevent you from completing the sandwich year and therefore you may be unable to progress further on the programme.

A levels

• ABB from three A levels to include at least one science subject.

Please note that where a science A level is taken, the University will require applicants to pass the practical element (for A levels awarded from August 2017 onwards).

T levels

• Distinction in Health or Healthcare Science.

BTEC Extended Diploma

• DDM. Health or Science subject required.

Applicants on Access Programmes

• 128 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science - at least 12 credits in Science must be at minimum grade Distinction.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

• 128 UCAS tariff points from 3 HL subjects at 6,6,5 to include one HL in Maths or a Science subject. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths, Science and English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

• GCSEs with grade C or grade 4 to include English Language, Mathematics, and a science. Level 2 equivalencies are accepted.

Those applying with an Access course are only required to have GCSE English language and mathematics at grade C or grade 4. Level 2 equivalences are accepted in place of GCSE English language and mathematics.

Additional entry requirements

Applicants with criminal convictions

Once you accept your offer, you will be asked to declare any criminal convictions you hold (including spent convictions). Having a criminal conviction does not mean that you cannot enrol on the course, you will need to go through a criminal convictions panel process.

English language requirements

• IELTS at 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each sub-test.

Occupational Health (OH) check

• All places are offered subject to satisfactory occupational health screening. This will involve completing an on-line occupational health questionnaire and attendance if required at a medical appointment.

Students on health care programmes must be able to meet the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency (2013). Occupational health screening and assessment will consider the students’ health and wellbeing and their fitness to study and practice. Progress on the course is dependent on your continued fitness.

This screening process complies with Public Health England requirements for protection of the public and students and staff working in health and social care.

All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory health clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations.

The University is obliged to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities to enable them to fulfil the required competencies of the programme. Candidates who are concerned about health issues are strongly advised to contact us prior to applying.

Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

• All places are also offered subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (previously known as CRB check) disclosure. This is due to the fact that you may be required to work with children or vulnerable adults on your clinical placement, and will need to demonstrate that you can safely work with these groups upon HCPC registration.

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences and Medicine programme.

Foundation Year entry requirements

We do not accept applications for Foundation Year leading to Paramedic Science BSc (Hons). If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation in Clinical Sciences and Medicine leading to BSc Clinical Sciences programme.

Study and progression requirements

After successful completion of the Foundation Year, transfer to stage 1 Paramedic Science BSc (Hons) will be a competitive process with limited places. Students must achieve an average of 65% overall (passing all modules) and receive a positive reference from their personal academic tutor. If unsuccessful in transferring to Paramedic Science BSc (Hons), students will be transferred onto Clinical Sciences BSc (Hons).

If you are an international student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course, you may be interested in our International College.

Transferring from another university

Applications to transfer to year 2 or 3 will not be considered for this programme.

Your learning journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Introducing Paramedic Science
• Paramedic Professional Practice 1
• Paramedic Professional Practice 2

Second Year

• Developing Paramedic Science
• Paramedic Professional Practice 3
• Blue Light Training

Third Year

Study abroad or placement year.

Final Year

• Paramedic Professional Sandwich Year
• Integrating Paramedic Science and Practice
• Applied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Paramedics
• Physical Assessment and Clinical Decision Making Skills (Level 6)

Professional placement

A placement year allows you to apply your academic learning within a wide range of industries, including private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. You will gain hands-on experience, develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship, and build a professional network that will benefit your future career.

We will support you throughout the process, offering:

• Access to a wide range of placement opportunities with top employers.
• Assistance with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation.
• Guidance on making the most of your placement experience.

Teaching, learning and assessment

During the first two years of the programme you will develop the essential clinical skills which are aligned to the role of 'Emergency Medical Technician II', including advanced driving techniques.

At the end of year two of the programme you will apply to undertake a paid sandwich year, during which time you are employed by YAS in a frontline clinical role.

This will be a full time temporary contract.

This year is credit bearing and is a required element of the programme assessed on a pass/fail basis, however it does not contribute towards your degree classification.

In the final year of the programme you will return to university and ambulance service teaching facilities based teaching, and will deepen your knowledge and skills to become competent to undertake autonomous paramedic practice at the point of registration.

Again you will undertake clinical practice placements under the direct supervision of mentors. During this final stage you will also undertake modules drawn from the Faculty's existing CPD catalogue, allowing specialisation in clinical practice.

Mode of delivery

• Team-based learning, high fidelity clinical skills simulation, integrated practice placements and a sandwich year professional placement.

Learning outcomes

• Mapped against the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards of proficiency for paramedics (HCPC 2014) as well as the College of Paramedics curriculum guidance (CoP 2015) and the QAA benchmark statement for paramedic science (QAA 2016).

Our facilities

Our state-of-the-art facilities provide learning environments and simulation equipment that mirrors those found in the NHS.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee

• UK: £9,535 per year (sandwich year: £954)

Additional course costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding your studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

The government has outlined new funding for paramedic, nursing, midwifery and other allied health professions courses. From September 2020, students at English universities will receive up to £8,000 with a minimum of £5,000 a year in funding.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a paramedic. This enables them to seek employment in UK ambulance services as well as a range of other clinical specialities.

Career opportunities in research, education and leadership and management exist within the ambulance services and the higher education sectors.

Our entry tariff is high. We seek to attract high quality candidates, and in return our programme offers unrivalled opportunities for rapid career progression in the fields of paramedic and pre-hospital care. This provides a real alternative to other healthcare careers such as medicine, nursing, midwifery or other allied health pathways.

Career opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Study abroad

A study abroad year is a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons, build connections with people from different backgrounds and cultures, and strengthen your skills and experience to make you stand out in the job market.

We have opportunities for students to study, work or volunteer in more than 150 countries across the world and will support you every step of the way.

Support for your studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.

93%say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Paramedic Science (Full time) at The University of Bradford

96%of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Paramedic Science (Full time) at The University of Bradford

95%in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for Paramedic Science (Full time) at The University of Bradford, over two years

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

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Terms and conditions of study

The University has a set of terms and conditions for all students accepting an offer to study on a course here at Bradford. This is called The Student Contract. This document sets out the Terms and Conditions which apply when you accept an offer of a place on a programme of study at the University of Bradford.

View our Student Contract for further details.

Transparency statement

Information about this programme and its modules has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publication, but changes may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of teaching. Any change which impacts the terms and conditions of an applicant’s offer will be communicated to them.