Paramedic Science

Study options

Award

BSc (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code:
B780, B781
Location:
Centre of Excellence Stafford
Location:
Centre of Excellence Stafford
Study option:
Full-time
Study option:
Part-time, top-up
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
3 Years
Start date:
13 September 2021
3 January 2022
School:
School of Health and Social Care

HCPC approved

Provides eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a paramedic

Specialist facilities

Including our Paramedic Training Ambulance and Clinical Skills Labs

Realistic training scenarios

Practice your skills at a custom-built training village

Please note that applications for this course have now closed for September 2021.

If you applied by the UCAS application deadline (29 January 2021), you will still be eligible to interview for this course and we will be in touch shortly to arrange a date/time for this.

If you didn’t submit an application by the deadline, please consider applying for entry in September 2022. You may also be interested in our other healthcare courses, where applications for this year are still open.

Develop the life-saving clinical skills and interventions needed to deliver patient care in the complex and dynamic pre-hospital care environment.

In accordance with the College of Paramedics Curriculum Guidance, this course incorporates key areas of the physical and life sciences, social health, behavioural and clinical sciences, ethics and law, leadership and evidence/research-based practice.

Your time at the University will be spent in one of our Centres of Excellence in Healthcare Education, where you will learn the theoretical elements of Paramedic Science and practice your skills in our dedicated skills labs.

The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science (top-up) (part-time) remains open for registered paramedics who have successfully completed an appropriate Foundation Degree (of Science) or Diploma in Higher Education.

The course has been developed within the context of dynamic, evolving and increasingly complex health and social care services, and the requirement to respond to the needs of society, communities and individuals both now and in the future.

Health and social care services continue to undergo unprecedented change, with more highly dependent patients being managed in their own homes, within primary care, or via pathways which allow them to receive more tailored care. This requires a flexible, skilled and educated workforce with the skills, knowledge and expertise necessary to cope with ever changing patient and public needs and adapt quickly to innovation in service delivery models (Department of Health 2012).

Contemporary paramedic practice places ever greater emphasis upon critical decision making, advanced assessment, and practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to treat, manage and potentially discharge patients at scene (College of Paramedics (CoP) 2019).

During the course of your studies you will complete both core and optional modules which will enable you to develop the knowledge, skills and expertise required of the graduate paramedic.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Work placements

As training to be a paramedic also demands real-world experience, you will undertake an assessed practice learning placement in each year of study.

For real-world training, placement hours comply with guidance from the College of paramedics and include working a full range of shifts alongside a dedicated Paramedic from the West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust.

Course content

Taught by experienced paramedics and specialist lecturers from other healthcare professions, you will face realistic scenarios and learn to use a wide range of pre-hospital emergency response equipment.

You’ll hone your skills in our fully equipped training ambulance and our authentic ‘patient house’.

Other training activities typically include a casualty extrication exercise at Staffordshire Fire Service HQ (where you will learn how to triage and treat alongside Fire Service and Police trainees) and scenario training at the Safeside at Eastside ‘village’ site.

With a furnished three-bedroom house, a train, train tracks, a Police Station, a shop, a canal and a traffic crossing, the site allows for a number of extremely realistic training scenarios.

Students will complete a range core and optional modules (subject to availability) to meet their Continuing Professional Development needs.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity.

All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.

Students will be required to successfully complete a total of 120 Credits at level 6 in order to ‘top-up’ their existing paramedic qualification to BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science.

Professional body accreditation

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a paramedic.

Health & Care Professions Council
Ross Taylor - FdSc Paramedic Science

Ross Taylor - FdSc Paramedic Science

Video

A real-life family situation inspired Ross to pursue a career in paramedic science.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 2 compulsory modules
Applied Clinical Skills For Paramedic Practice 30 credits
Clinical Skills For Paramedic Practice 30 credits
Pathophysiology And Pharmacology For Paramedic Practice 30 credits
Principles Of Informed Autonomous Practice 30 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Advancing Assessment And Management For Paramedic Practice 30 credits
Applied Advancing Assessment And Management For Paramedic Practice 30 credits
Research And Service Development In Paramedic Practice 30 credits
The Evolving Context For Professional Paramedic Practice 30 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Assessment And Management Of Trauma In The Pre-Hospital Environment 30 credits
Assessment Of Patients With Minor Injuries 15 credits
Leadership 15 credits
Principles Of Physical Assessment 15 credits
Research Appreciation For Health And Social Care 15 credits

Entry requirements

Typical UCAS Offer:112 points

  • A levels: BBC
  • BTEC: DMM
  • GCSE passes at grade C (4) or above in English and Mathematics
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 60 credits (45 at Level 3 and 15 at Level 2)

All applicants must be 18 years or over upon commencement of the programme.

All applicants who are shortlisted for the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science will be invited to attend a Selection Day at the Centre of Excellence. Whilst part of this day will be a short face-to-face interview, it also gives applicants the opportunity to see and experience our brilliant facilities, meet our Academics and to get to speak with others who have applied to the programme.

All applications must be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to Level 7 IELTS with no elements below 6.5.

Paramedic registration with HCPC and completion of an appropriate Foundation Degree (of Science) or Diploma in Higher Education.

Those students who are registered paramedics without academic credit are eligible for advanced standing for their IHCD qualification to enable study at level 5 and progress to level 6. Completion of an appropriate Mentorship/Practice Education course is ideal to demonstrate the ability to study at this level.

Students should normally be in suitable employment (paid or voluntary) to be able to achieve the competencies and work place application needed in several of the modules.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Student paramedic comes to the rescue while on holiday

News

A student paramedic has been praised for her quick-thinking to help an injured dogwalker while on holiday in Cornwall.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Paramedic Training Ambulance

Paramedic students and other student clinicians who may have pre-hospital involvement, can hone their skills in our very own fully kitted training ambulance, which allows our students to practice realistic scenarios and to prepare for their placements.

Clinical Training Facilities

Our labs provide the environment for you to learn fundamental skills associated with emergency pre-hospital care. This includes: advanced patient assessment techniques, airway management, obtaining intramuscular, intravenous and intraosseous access, advanced life-support skills.

Safeside at Eastside

You'll experience some of the most realistic training scenarios during a day spent at the West Midlands Fire Service Safeside at Eastside location in Birmingham. This location boasts a custom built training village and students are required to answer radio calls to various mock incidents.

Careers

Graduates can apply for employment within any NHS or private pre-hospital organisation. Typically, graduates will gain employment with NHS Ambulance Trusts and with a range of private providers.

Paramedic Ambulance tour

Paramedic Ambulance tour

Video

Paramedic Science student, Ryan takes you on a quick tour of our realistic training ambulance.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Your overall workload will consist of class contact hours, independent learning, assessment activity and study visits where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area and professional body requirements.

However, you can normally expect that time spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity will be highest in Level 4, decreasing in Levels 5 and 6 as independent learning becomes more significant.

Your overall workload will consist of class contact hours, independent learning, assessment activity and study visits where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area and professional body requirements.

However, you can normally expect that time spent in scheduled teaching and learning activity will be highest in Level 4, decreasing in Levels 5 and 6 as independent learning becomes more significant.

Year 1

23% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
50% of time in independent study
25% of time in placements

Year 2

23% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
52% of time in independent study
25% of time in placements

Year 3

19% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
56% of time in independent study
25% of time in placements

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

50% practical exams
38% coursework
13% written exams

Year 2

30% practical exams
33% coursework
38% written exams

Year 3

50% practical exams
50% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Your tutors are experienced practitioners who will bring real-life experiences to your learning using the most up-to-date skills and technologies.

Kirsty Apps

Senior Lecturer

Kirsty is an experienced pre-hospital practitioner and educator. Her main area of interest is the development of professional practice and support for students and mentors in practice.

Kirsty's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 13 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £18,000 per year of study

For the course starting on 3 January 2022 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £18,000 per year of study

For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time To be confirmed

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).

Included in the fees:

The School provide Occupational Health screening, DBS and a full uniform to all students. Some chose to upgrade their footwear, for example to a preferred brand. Where this is the case, the student will be expected to cover this additional cost. 

The School provide Occupational Health screening, DBS and a full uniform to all students. Some chose to upgrade their footwear, for example to a preferred brand. Where this is the case, the student will be expected to cover this additional cost. 
Not included in the fees:

There may be costs to the student associated with travelling to practice learning placements and occasional visits for training at other university campuses and external facilities such as ‘Safeside at Eastside’.

Some students may choose to take an elective placement outside of our standard Practice Learning Placement circuit. Where this is the case, the costs associated with travel, accommodation, insurance etc will be the responsibility of individual students.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY

International Students, like all others, should be aware of the additional costs they will incur of travelling to their Practice Learning Placements (which constitutes fifty per cent of the course over three years). This is in addition to the costs associated with studying away from home such as accommodation.

International Students are unlikely to be eligible for the additional financial support offered to some UK/EU students. The International tuition fee includes a contribution to the yearly Practice Learning Placement tariff which will allow students to access the full range of clinical learning experiences.

There may be costs to the student associated with travelling to practice learning placements and occasional visits for training at other university campuses and external facilities such as ‘Safeside at Eastside’.

Some students may choose to take an elective placement outside of our standard Practice Learning Placement circuit. Where this is the case, the costs associated with travel, accommodation, insurance etc will be the responsibility of individual students.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY

International Students, like all others, should be aware of the additional costs they will incur of travelling to their Practice Learning Placements (which constitutes fifty per cent of the course over three years). This is in addition to the costs associated with studying away from home such as accommodation.

International Students are unlikely to be eligible for the additional financial support offered to some UK/EU students. The International tuition fee includes a contribution to the yearly Practice Learning Placement tariff which will allow students to access the full range of clinical learning experiences.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Centre of Excellence Stafford BSc (Hons) Full-time 13 September 2021 Apply now
Centre of Excellence Stafford BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 January 2022 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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