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BSc (Hons) - Paramedic Science

You’re resilient and a great communicator. You have a passion to help your local community. You thrive in the unknown and in emergency situations. We can provide specialist training to begin your career as a fully qualified paramedic. Your degree will allow you to practise as a safe and competent paramedic. We will continue to support you after graduation, with continuing professional development and postgraduate courses.

What’s more, our Allied Health Profession courses are ranked 1st in the North West and top 10 in the UK. We are also 1st in the North West for continuation and career prospects following graduation from Allied Health Profession Courses (Guardian University Guide 2023 Results).

We are unable to accept International Applications for this programme.

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Course Overview

Application of theory to practice is integral to your learning and understanding, and our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course reflects this. Throughout your degree, you'll be engaged in weekly practical learning to confirm and practise newly learned subject areas. Supporting this, you will learn through simulation exercises via our key practice partners and in our own dedicated simulation facilities. For example, in your first year you will work with the fire and ambulance service through station-based inductions and vehicle extraction exercises.

In addition, our major incident day gives you the opportunity to work with policing and forensic science students to deal with a series of realistic simulated crimes. You'll have the unique opportunity to study elements of traumatic jobs in the real world with actors and realistic scenarios to develop quick thinking and essential lifesaving skills.

Our modern facilities including a simulated ambulance, a mock hospital ward and a mock patient residence. All equipment is based at the Lancaster campus and is geared up for a truly unique experience for paramedic practice and the ‘real-life’ scenes that aid your development as a professional.

Alongside this, you'll gain 1,875 hours of practice placement experience with the ambulance service and 'spoke' learning in areas such as emergency departments, mental health, end-of-life care, hospital theatres, GP practices, nursing homes and residential homes.

On this course you will...

Receive supportive teaching from tutors within a close-knit learning community.
Be taught by a diverse teaching faculty, with an abundance of practice experience and individual practice expertise.
Experience a variety of learning methods, utilising the excellent paramedic facilities on campus.
Undertake a second year 'rural paramedicine' module, developing your ability to manage patients for longer periods of time.
Discover the contemporary programme, designed to develop you to be prepared for practice in the ambulance service setting.

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationLancaster
Institute: Institute of Health
UCAS CodeB780
Delivery StyleIn-person
Course DurationFull-time: 3 Years
Start DateSeptember 2023
September 2024

For 2023 entry, apply using the UCAS Hub
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

112-128

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | Per year

What our students and alumni say

The moment I met my mentor and attended my first ever job I knew that I had picked the right course for me. This has only been solidified with every placement hour I have completed!

Heather Dowell, Paramedic Science

After working as a carer throughout the pandemic Heather realised she wanted to work in healthcare, the diversity of paramedic science appealed to her.

Heather Dowell
I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the course, and I am very grateful to all the lecturing staff who were fundamental in my development. The lecturing staff are extremely knowledgeable, and up to date with contemporary practice. My tutors did not only support my academic work but my personal development too.

Amelia Murphy

Former student Amelia found the practical aspects of the course including the major incident day invaluable in helping her put learning into practice when she was studying.

Course Structure

What you will learn

On this programme, you will gain experience both clinically and academically, in pre-hospital care in both the ambulance service and in other clinical settings. Fifty weeks of your studies are undertaken on placement, where you will be guided by registered professionals with a variety of experience and skills.

The programme is informed by practice and scholarly research. Academic weeks consist of four full learning days which are a blend of learning by theory and practical sessions. You will be allocated a fixed study day each academic week to consolidate your learning and prepare for assessments. All our practice placements offer a full range of clinical exposure, inclusive of ambulance and non-ambulance settings. Placements will be provided across a wide geographical area within the North West (predominantly Cumbria). Whilst on practice placements you will observe the practice of registered professionals, working under their supervision and participating in clinical practice.

Year one

Development of Academic Skills and Reflective Practice
Develop study skills that will enhance your ability to develop self-awareness as a reflective lifelong learner
Fundamental Practice and Protection of Service Users in Pre-Hospital and Emergency Care Environments
Explore the basic principles of practice for assisting in pre-hospital and emergency care, focusing on core aspects of professional conduct, behavioural emergencies and legal aspects of care and multidisciplinary team working.
Clinical Knowledge and Skills for Assisting with Pre-Hospital and Emergency Care
Develop your clinical knowledge and skills for assisting in a range of pre-hospital and emergency care situations, with a focus on acute exacerbations of medical conditions, conditions affecting infants, children and older adults, trauma, acute emergencies and basic life support.
Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology
Learn about the structure and function of human anatomy and physiology inclusive of the major body systems.
Foundations for Decision Making and Legislative Aspects of Pre-Hospital Care
Develop your understanding of the processes that facilitate and influence decision making practices.
Pre-Hospital and Emergency Care: Developing Evidence-Based Practice
Explore pre-hospital and emergency care, the professional roles of registered health professionals and the importance of their supporting role, including the use of therapeutic and pharmacological interventions.
Constructing Values, Skills, and Competencies for the Emerging Paramedic
Undertake a period of practice development enhancing the professional values, skills and competencies essential for the Emerging Paramedic.

Year two

Developing Clinical Care, Judgement and Competence in Paramedic Practice
Develop competence in the core clinical and interpersonal skills necessary within paramedic practice for patients across the lifespan (childbirth to old age).
Pre Hospital Recognition and Management of Acute Illness and Long Term Conditions
Develop your understanding of the recognition and management principles of a range of conditions, both acute and chronic, commonly encountered in a pre hospital care environment.
Pre Hospital Care and Management of Trauma and Environmental Emergencies
Develop a deeper understanding and level of skill in the assessment, care and management of patients who have sustained traumatic injuries or who are involved in emergency situations.
Pre Hospital Care of Paediatric and Obstetric Patients
Develop an understanding of the normal physiology of the child and the pregnant woman.
Research Methods
Understand evidence based research in Paramedic Practice.
Developing Values, Skills and Competencies of the Paramedic
Undertake a period of practice development to become competent in a range of expected professional values, skills and competencies for the Developing Paramedic.

Year three

Dissertation
Enhancing Clinical Practice and Decision Making for the Contemporary Paramedic
Enhance your clinical decision making, assessment, and patient management skills, in relation to the contemporary role of the paramedic in providing person centred care.
Preparing the Professional Practitioner
Prepare for the professional, legal and ethical aspects that underpin autonomous practice following registration.
Holistic Approach to Patient Health and Wellbeing
Develop an understanding of the assessment, management and individualised needs for patients with mental health presentations and health and wellbeing needs.
Understanding Primary and Urgent Care
Prepare to assess the needs of a population/community both locally and nationally.
Consolidating Values, Skills and Competencies of the Paramedic
Undertake a period of practice development to become competent in a range of expected professional values, skills and competencies for the Paramedic.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

A variety of teaching and learning methods are designed to match learning outcomes and to provide you with some experience of the method best suited to your own learning style, we support your move to becoming an independent and mature learner.

This course emphasises practical learning and reflection on and in practice. You are actively facilitated to apply and integrate your professional knowledge within your practice and to develop an enquiring critical approach to study and professional practice. Specifically, you will gain experience within a Paramedic Emergency Service. The programme team use Technology Enhanced Learning to maximise your learning experience. Technology Enhanced Learning is a key component of your paramedic education, we use Virtual Reality, Simulation and a variety of multi-media to complement the more traditional face to face model.

The programme utilises the Simulated Learning Ambulance to provide challenging situations to emulate the requirements of in-transit care, whilst working on an emergency ambulance. Additionally, a purpose created ‘flat’ is used to enable patient consultation to ensue in a public environment and the prehospital setting. Teaching includes tutor-led classroom learning, case study approaches and tutorials. This is alongside guided study, reading and reflections on professional practice. Parts of this course incorporates flexible, distributed learning (FDL) using Blackboard.

How you will be assessed

Formative assessment is an important feature within the programme and may include in‐class or online activities such as research diaries, assignments and tests. The programme ensures summative assessments are designed to provide a creative and balanced strategy throughout the programme. The summative assessments all relate to the working environment of a paramedic enabling you to take your assessed learning into the practice environment to optimise the provision of patient care.

Clinical Assessment of Practice (CAP)

This assessment has been designed to measure specific learning outcomes related to clinical practice. These guidelines are applied using the paramedic’s professional judgement on what is safe and proficient practice. There will be four assessments in each clinical year. Three of these will be formative (the outcome does not contribute towards your portfolio but it will enable the student to become familiar with the process and application of the documentation). The final assessment will be summative and contributory to the portfolio.

Overview

112-128 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table..

GCSE English Language, mathematics and Biology or Combined Science at grade 4/C or above. These must be in place at point of application

FITNESS TO PRACTISE

All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following acceptance of an offer (and no earlier than three months before the course start date).
Please note that Professional Bodies, such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), have certain requirements regarding the health and good character status of applicants and students. Please read the NMC and HCPC information to find out more.
For more information about core competencies and medical fitness to train please click here.

In some instances, an applicant may be invited to attend a professional practice panel to discuss any recommended reasonable adjustments, and whether or not core professional competencies are achievable.

For information about Medical Clearance and vaccination requirements  click here.

DISCLOSURE AND BARRING SERVICE CHECK

If you accept an offer of a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check. Details on the policy can be found here.

If you think you have a criminal conviction You will need to submit a Criminal Record Self Disclosure Form as part of the process For more information on this and the form itself, please refer to Self-disclosure of criminal record.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: BBC-ABB to include a natural science (Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or a Social Science (Sociology; Psychology)

T-levels: M-D T level Healthcare Science is accepted for entry to this course

Access to HE: 18 Credits at Distinction & 27 at Merit – 30 Credits at Distinction & 15 at Merit to include 21 credits in Biology or Human Physiology.

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B – A in Health and Social Care

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: DDM – DDD in Health and Social Care

Scottish Highers: 112-128 UCAS Tariff Points preferably from 4 Highers to include A in a Science Subject. (33 points) in Biology

Irish LC Highers: 112-128 UCAS Tariff Points preferably from 4 Irish Leaving Certificate Highers to include A2 (30 points) in Biology

Other experience: We are unable to accept BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Uniformed Public Services or English, Maths and Science from Access to HE in lieu of GCSE. Experience in some aspect of the paramedic role. Must have a full UK driving license, and it is preferred that selected applicants have a provisional C1 entitlement prior to commencement of the programme

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

At interview we will assess your suitability to train for the profession you have applied for. All professional course interviews are scored. Any offers made will be based on your whole application and your interview score.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

*We are unable to accept international applications for this programme.

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Paramedicine. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing Paramedic Science and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

You must complete and pass a short online assessment. 

If you are invited to attend interview then we strongly recommend you review the NHS Values and Behaviours of; Working together for Patients, Respect and Dignity, Commitment to Quality of Care, Compassion, Improving Lives, and Everyone Counts.

At interview you must clearly explain what has led you to apply for Paramedic Science and the attributes you would bring to it. You must also demonstrate a good understanding of paramedicine; have excellent communication skills; motivation and commitment to pursuing paramedicine as a career and the potential to succeed as a health professional.

Following interview if you are offered a place it will be subject to satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service clearance (DBS), medical fitness to practice, proof of qualifications and a satisfactory reference.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Funding

You may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

If you're eligible, you can get access to:

A Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year
Parental Support of £2,000, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
Exceptional Support Fund (Students experiencing financial hardship)

For more information on the Learning Support Fund please visit the Learning Support Fund Page.

For the 2022 to 2023 academic year, students studying Paramedicine can also have their eligibility assessed on case-by-case basis if they are ineligible for tuition fees and maintenance support because they have an equivalent or lower qualification. You can find more information on the Health Education England website.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Experience Field Training

Student paramedics in a training exercise

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Location
Lancaster Campus
Lancaster is the Red Rose heartland, a student haven full of history and culture. With iconic stone architecture, parkland, and a caring community, this is the place to get involved. The campus houses top-quality facilities tailored to the needs of life-savers, world changers, and future leaders.
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BSc (Hons) - Paramedic Science