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Certificate HE - Pre-hospital Emergency Care

This one-year course, run in partnership with the South Western Ambulance Service, provides a unique opportunity to enter the ambulance service and will help you gain access to a paramedic career pathway.

You will be taught by both university academic staff and experienced paramedics from a range of clinical backgrounds, with teaching delivered both online and face-to-face at Bridgwater and Taunton College. This blended learning provides flexibility, allowing you to fit your learning around other responsibilities, such as caring duties.

Our expert academics will support you throughout the course, and you will join a close-knit community of students.

As well as your academic training, you will gain real-world experience of pre-hospital emergency care through placements with the South Western Ambulance Service in Bristol, Wiltshire, Somerset, or Dorset.

To prepare you for employment within the ambulance service, you will also complete blue light training (the emergency driving qualification) as part of the course. A minimum of 12 months driving experience is required, prior to the blue light training, which takes place at the end of the programme.

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In Partnership With:

South Western Ambulance Service

Course Overview

This programme has been co-created with ambulance partners to provide an alternative route into the ambulance service, where you will be supported by the university to develop the appropriate skills and knowledge to access employment.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have completed the first year (120 credits) of a BSc Paramedic Science degree and will be offered a role as an emergency care assistant with the South Western Ambulance Service (subject to pre-employment checks). Within 12-18 months of completion of the course, you will be offered a place on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science Degree Level Apprenticeship, which will complete your paramedic training, enabling you to qualify as a paramedic.

On this course you will...

Learn online and also through face to face sessions.
Attend placements located at ambulance stations within Wiltshire, Somerset, or Dorset (SWAST area).
Be provided with the practical blue light training (the emergency driving qualification) as part of this programme designed to prepare you for employment within the ambulance service. Individuals will need to fund the theory element of the C1.
Upon successful completion of the programme and subject to pre-employment checks, you will be offered a role as an emergency care assistant within South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. This opportunity will be based within Wiltshire, Somerset or Dorset.

Apply via UCAS

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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
Course LocationBlended Learning
South West England
Institute Institute of Health
UCAS CodeB782
Mode of DeliveryBlended learning
Course DurationFull-time: 1 Year
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardCertificate HE
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

112-120

UCAS Tariff points

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

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. As part of the programme, you will be provided with blue light driver training course.

Within 18 months of successful completion of this programme you will be offered a place on the BSc Hons- Paramedic Science (degree level apprenticeship).

Year one

This programme comprises 5 modules that have been directly taken from our BSc Paramedic Science programme. The selection of modules will develop your knowledge and understanding in order to work effectively within the ambulance service.

Developing Person-centred Care in Paramedic Practice 1
This module will enable you to demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of person-centred care, communication and your own wellbeing and mental health.
Physical and Clinical Sciences
This module will enable you to demonstrate foundational knowledge of the structure and function of human anatomy and physiology.
Clinical Practice 1
This module will enable you to undertake a period of development in the clinical practice environment.
Professionalism and Followership
You will develop your understanding of professionalism, leadership and followship.
Introduction to Research and Evidence-based Practice
You will develop your knowledge and understanding of the evidence base for pre-hospital and emergency care.

Overview

112-120 UCAS Tariff Points, You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table. Offers are tailored to the individual applicant and their circumstances and can be across the tariff range. Applicants who meet our contextual information criteria will be offered at the bottom of the range.

GCSE English and Maths or equivalent level 2 qualification

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

GCSEs: GCSE English Language and Maths at C/4 or above or equivalent qualification

A-levels: BBC-BBB

T-levels: Merit

Access to HE: 21 Credits at Distinction & 24 at Merit

Scottish Highers: BBBB – AABB

Irish LC Highers: B2x2, A2x2 – A2x4

Other experience: Experience in some aspect of the paramedic role. Must have a full UK driving license. A C1 license is not required - the South West Ambulance Service will fund C1 ambulance driver training.

DBS Check

Enhanced DBS with checks against the Children's and Adults' Barred Lists

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

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.

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

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check

£61.00 (from 1 October 2026)

RequiredOne-offChecks, clearances and health requirements

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required before you start placements. The Entry requirements section for your course shows which barred lists the check covers.

DBS checks for applicants

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

Uniform

Provided at no cost

Information onlyClothing and uniform

You will be provided with a uniform.

Placement costs

Cost varies

ConditionalPer placementTravel and accommodation

You will complete placements during the course, which may involve costs such as travel.

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Certificate HE - Pre-hospital Emergency Care