BSc Paramedic Science

Key details

BSC PARAMEDIC SCIENCE

Start Year

2020

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Bachelor of Science

UCAS course code

B780

Entry Requirements

BBB/ABC

Our three-year BSc in Paramedic Science is the very first in the UK to enable students to qualify with a nationally recognised qualification in Advanced Life Support, as accredited by the Resuscitation Council UK. Designed and delivered in line with College of Paramedics curriculum guidance framework, it will provide you with a contemporary and complete paramedic education.

Year-on-year, you’ll build on your skills, knowledge and experience, developing a solid foundation for your paramedic career. You’ll explore real human anatomy in our anatomy suite. And you’ll work side-by-side with other students and healthcare professionals, giving you 360° insight into everyone’s roles.

Throughout the course you’ll complete placements on ambulances, hospital wards, specialist units and general practice, so you can put the theory into practice. And you’ll be able to shape the course to fit your own skillset with an elective placement in your final year.

Highlights of Paramedic Science at UEA:

Be a part of the first UK Paramedic Science programme to offer students the opportunity to qualify with a nationally recognised qualification in Advanced Life Support accredited by the Resuscitation Council UK
Make the course your own by planning an elective placement (a self-funded four week placement abroad)
Develop expertise working alongside fellow healthcare professionals, plus agencies including the fire and rescue service and the police
Explore real human anatomy linked to clinical practice in our anatomy suite
Undertake a range of clinical placements on ambulances and other clinical areas such as: hospital wards, specialist units and in general practice
Become valued member of and contributor to the #UEAParamedic community

About

Study for a degree in Paramedic Science and take your first step towards a career making a real difference when it’s needed most. Not for the faint-hearted, you’ll be tackling difficult and demanding situations, where you’ll have to think on your feet and make informed decisions, fast.

Our three-year Paramedic Science degree offers a contemporary and holistic approach to paramedic education. Both challenging and exciting, it will equip you with the skill and knowledge you need to assess, treat, diagnose, supply and administer medicines, manage, discharge and refer patients in urgent, emergency, critical and non-hospital settings. In short, it will give you a flying start in this fast-paced profession.

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My UEA story: Cody Thorndyke

Cody - BSc Paramedic Science student travelled to Arequipa in Peru for her elective placement.

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Course Reference Number: 1119225

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Your progress will be assessed on a regular basis throughout the course, ensuring your learning and development are on track. We have a range of assessment methods, all of which are designed to support your learning, while preparing you for your future as a paramedic.

There will of course be essays and exams, but you’ll also put together portfolios of your own evidence, demonstrating your skills in simulation-based assessments.

Structure

During your Paramedic Science degree you’ll take modules focusing on core themes such as communication, psychological and sociological factors affecting health, evidence-based practice and leadership as well as anatomy, physiology and pharmacology.

Throughout the programme you’ll undertake clinical placements to contextualise your learning and put the theory into practice. And – year-on-year – you’ll develop your knowledge, skills and experience, enhancing your understanding of how the various concepts integrate. You’ll gain a solid foundation on which to build a balanced approach to practice, and a successful career as a paramedic.

Teaching and Learning

Our team of educators includes paramedics, nurse specialists and medical doctors. We are totally committed to and passionate about the work we do, and we have the knowledge, skills and experience to maximise your potential as a paramedic of the future.

We use a range of teaching methods, including lectures and seminars delivered by expert academics and clinical educators, and ‘flipped’ lectures, which will take place online, and allow you to discuss and debate pressing issues with our academic team.

You’ll learn essential clinical skills and techniques in practical workshops, underpinned by academic study. You’ll then learn to apply the theory to patient scenarios in enquiry-based learning sessions.

You’ll build on your expertise with clinical placements where you can really get to grips with the theory in practice, developing the professionalism, values and behaviours essential to being a safe, respected and trustworthy paramedic.

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Life at UEA

Assessment for Year 2

There will of course be essays and exams, but you’ll also put together portfolios of your own evidence, demonstrating your skills in simulation-based assessments.

Structure

Teaching and Learning

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Life at UEA

Assessment for Year 3

There will of course be essays and exams, but you’ll also put together portfolios of your own evidence, demonstrating your skills in simulation-based assessments.

Structure

Teaching and Learning

Apply

Life at UEA

Assessment for Year 2

There will of course be essays and exams, but you’ll also put together portfolios of your own evidence, demonstrating your skills in simulation-based assessments.

Compulsory Modules

DEVELOPING PARAMEDIC PRACTICE (DPP)

Code HSCP5051Y

Credits 40

PSYCHOSOCIAL COMPLEXITY IN PRACTICE 2 (PCP2)

Code HSCP5052Y

Credits 40

Following on from PCP1 this module explores elements of healthcare sociology and psychology and how they relate to contemporary paramedic practice. Through active engagement with service users in clinical simulation and seminars this module explores complex patients as individuals, focusing on enhancing inclusion and access to healthcare. Students will explore dilemmas and challenges including social attitudes, how services are funded, organised and delivered and how this impacts on the role of the paramedic in practice.

CRITICAL CARE FOR PARAMEDICS (CPP)

Code HSCP5053Y

Credits 40

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Life at UEA

Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.

Entry Requirements

A Levels

BBB/ABC or BBC with an A in the Extended Project, including grade B in A level Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE.

BTEC

DDM – see below for accepted Extended Diploma subjects.

Scottish highers

AABBB including grade A in Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE

Scottish highers advanced

CCC including Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE

Irish leaving certificate

2 subjects at H2 and 4 subjects at H3, including Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE

Access course

Pass with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3 in a Health, Care or Science subject, including 12 Level 3 credits in Biology or Chemistry.

European Baccalaureate

70% including Biology or Chemistry at 70% or above

International Baccalaureate

31 with HL 5 in Biology, Chemistry or Sports, Exercise & Health Science

GCSE offer

You are required to have 5 GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4, including Mathematics and English Language.

Additional entry requirements

Science A levels must include a pass in the practical element.

Accepted BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma subjects:

Applied Science
Applied Science (Medical Science)
Applied Science (Forensic Science) - must include both 'Physiology of Human Body Systems' and 'Physiology of Human Regulation & Reproduction' units.
Forensic and Criminal Investigation - must include both 'Physiology of Human Body Systems' and 'Forensic Genetics' units.
Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and Physical Activity
Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
Sport (Performance and Excellence)
Physical Education and Coaching
Health and Social Care - must include either 'Physiological Disorders' or 'The Impact of Long-term Physiological Conditions', plus 'Nutritional Health' or 'Nutrition for Health'.

If you’re studying one or more of the subjects above but not as an Extended Diploma, in combination with other subjects/qualifications, please email admissions@uea.ac.uk to enquire about acceptability.

We’d also encourage an application if you hold or are working towards one of the following qualifications:

Bachelor Degree (hons) in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry (alternative subjects considered alongside A level B in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry)	2.2
Certificate of Higher Education in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry	55% with BBC at A level
Diploma of Higher Education in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry	55%
Foundation Degree in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry	55% with BBC at A level
Foundation Year of an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university, in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry	60% with BBC at A level
Open University (60 credits) in Biology, Human Biology or Chemistry	60%
WJEC Level 3 Diploma in Medical Science	Grade B or above accepted in lieu of A level Biology/Chemistry/PE only

UEA recognises that some students take a mixture of International Baccalaureate IB or International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme IBCP study rather than the full diploma, taking Higher levels in addition to A levels and/or BTEC qualifications. At UEA we do consider a combination of qualifications for entry, provided a minimum of three qualifications are taken at a higher level. Please email admissions@uea.ac.uk if you would like to check whether any particular combination of qualifications would be suitable for entry onto this degree programme.

Please note that we do not consider A levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, CACHE Level 3 Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, City & Guilds Advanced Extended Diplomas, Apprenticeships, NVQs (any level) or Work-based Level 3 Diplomas (previously NVQs) to meet the minimum academic entry requirements, although these can be used as evidence of recent study.

We’ll be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.

Special Entry Requirements

We’d prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent formal academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. This is to ensure that you’re equipped to succeed on this academically rigorous programme. If you have not studied for an academic qualification within the last 5 years please email admissions@uea.ac.uk to enquire further.

Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references.

You’ll be required to travel both to and from your placement areas, which may be located anywhere within Norfolk or Suffolk. The responsibility and funding for this travel will rest with you. You’ll be expected to work at a range of times to ensure exposure to the full 24 hour and 7 day week nature of healthcare, and this may include weekends, evening and nights. The start and finish times of these shifts will prove challenging if you’re dependent on public transport. For health and safety reasons, where the travel time to the placement area exceeds 45 minutes according to Google maps, you must make alternative arrangements for local accommodation.

Driving Licence Guidance

It would be beneficial for you to have a full clean driving licence with provisional C1. Driving is not a requirement for the HCPC or for the course, however for employment paramedics need to be ‘DVLA Category 2 cleared’ (buses and lorries).

Prior to starting the course, you are advised to review the DVLA’s ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive: A Guide for Medical Professionals’ if you have a long term medical condition. This guidance may be used as criteria for student acceptance into the practice placement setting for reasons of preserving safety. A student would be reviewed on an individual basis, in relation to the long term management of the condition.

We want you to succeed, and we’ll only consider making you an offer if we believe that you’ll have the potential to complete the course with a good final degree classification.

If necessary, the Admissions Service will be happy to provide you with advice on further study that might help you to make a future application to the course. Please email admissions@uea.ac.uk with any questions or if you need any further information.

This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and we are looking to extend our endorsement by the College of Paramedics.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening):

IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component)

We will also accept a number of other English language qualifications to meet this requirement. Review our English Language Equivalences here.

Interviews

The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.

The interviews will explore a range of issues, including your suitability for the profession and the NHS values (as reflected in the NHS constitution). We’ll look to consider your motivation to study this course, as well as whether you have a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in health care), and an interest in people.

Please note that we do not disclose interview questions. You can find further information about the interview process here:

School of Health Sciences - Interviews

Gap year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. If you’re planning to apply with deferred entry, you are advised to indicate your reason for this on your UCAS application.