BSc (Hons) PARAMEDIC SCIENCE

2.1 (or 2.2 with BBB at A Level), in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

Alternative subjects considered alongside grade B in A Level Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

DDM required in 3 grades (made up of Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma subjects). Acceptable options:

• Extended Diploma in one of the subjects listed below
• A combination of BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subjects, all of which are in Health, Care or Science subjects, with at least one of the grades to include one of the options listed below
• Any BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subjects in Health, Care or Science, taken in combination with A Level Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE
• A combination of one of the BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subject options below alongside A Levels in any subject(s)

Applied Human Biology (2018 RQF suite) – must include one of the following units:

• Functional physiology
• Diseases, disorders, treatments and therapies

Applied Science (2010 QCF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:

• Physiology of human body systems
• Physiology of human regulation and reproduction
• Diseases and infections

Applied Science (2016 RQF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:

• Physiology of human body systems
• Human regulation and reproduction
• Biological molecules and metabolic pathways
• Diseases and infections

Applied Science (2020 RQF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:

• Principles and applications of biology II
• Functional physiology of the human body system
• Human reproduction and regulation
• Biological molecules and metabolic pathways
• Diseases and infections

Fitness Services (2016 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.

Sport (2010 QCF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:

• Fitness testing for sport and exercise
• Exercise, health and lifestyle
• Sports injuries
• Sports and exercise massage
• Research investigation in sports and exercise sciences
• Applied sport and exercise physiology

Sport (2016 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.

Sport and Exercise Science (2016 RQF suite) – Diploma or Extended Diploma.

Sport and Physical Activity (OCR Cambridge Technical - 2016 suite) – Extended Diploma. Diploma or Extended Certificate must include at least two of the following units:

• Improving Fitness for Sport and Physical Activity
• Biomechanics and Movement Analysis
• Physical Activity for Specific Groups
• Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation

Sports Coaching and Development (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Diploma only. Must include at least three of the following units:

• Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
• Sporting Injuries
• Functional Sports Massage
• Fitness Training

Sporting Excellence and Performance (2019 RQF suite) – Diploma or Extended Diploma only.

Sport, Fitness and Personal Training (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.

Sport and Outdoor Activities (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Diploma only. Must include all of the following units:

• Anatomy and physiology in sport
• Sports injuries
• Fitness training

Email admissions@uea.ac.uk if you need clarification or to check grade requirements.

60% in Year 2, in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

Alternative subjects considered alongside grade B in A Level Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

60% in Year 2, in Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

Alternative subjects considered alongside grade B in A Level Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry.

BCC including Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry or PE.

A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable, please contact Admissions for further information.

Grade B or above in Medical Science accepted in lieu of A Level Biology/Chemistry/PE, if taken alongside two other A Levels with grades ABB overall.

WJEC Level 3 Diplomas in other Health or Science subjects can be taken to make up three grades alongside A Level(s) in Biology, Chemistry or PE.

Email admissions@uea.ac.uk if you need clarification or to check grade requirements.

Our interviews for 2023 will take place on our campus. You will be invited to a morning or afternoon session by email. The email will include the arrival time and building location. We use a few of the buildings on our campus for interviews, but they will either be on our Main Campus or on our West Campus (which is around a 20-minute walk from the centre of the Main Campus, near the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital). The session will last no longer than 3 hours in total. 

You will take part in ‘multiple mini-interviews’ with academic staff members from the School of Health Sciences, clinicians from the profession you are applying for, 3rd year students from the course, and/or health service users.

Note that we will not disclose interview questions in advance of the interviews, but in general terms 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 an interest in people and a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in healthcare).

Applicants who are based outside of the UK at the point of applying will be offered an online interview. The format will match the process outlined above as closely as possible.

We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation. We will take this into account and will adapt our expectations.

Keep in mind that clinical work experience is not generally a requirement for applying to train in healthcare, but it is important to show that you are able to work with people and appreciate the health and social care setting. It is important to remember why we look for work experience in an application; this in turn can help you think of the numerous ways that you might be able to demonstrate how you have acquired relevant experience.

We will want to see that you understand what a career in Health involves. Work experience, and other related experiences, are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.

Any activity or life experience that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:

• Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
• Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
• A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.

Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.

Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. Whilst volunteer work in the NHS might be disrupted at this time, other schemes may still be in operation and worth exploring i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively. It is likely that these sorts of volunteering opportunities will start to run again before healthcare related opportunities are available.

Remember: it is what you learn about yourself, about other people and about how effective care is delivered and received that counts. What you did is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt which matters.

It would be beneficial for you to have a full clean driving licence with provisional C1. Driving is not a requirement for qualifying and registering as a paramedic, but for employment within ambulance services, paramedics normally need to have Group 2 DVLA clearance. In most cases, the medical standards for Group 2 drivers (lorries and buses) are substantially higher than for Group 1 drivers (cars and motorbikes).

The DVLA has guidance relating to medical conditions that may prevent an individual from achieving Category 2 DVLA clearance (e.g. epilepsy; diabetes; narcolepsy). The DVLA standards may be used by the Trust as criteria that will exclude students from accessing placement for safety reasons. As such, the presence of certain medical conditions may prevent a student from being successful on the programme. If you have any questions about this, please contact Admissions.

It may be helpful to access the DVLA’s ‘Assessing Fitness to Drive: A Guide for Medical Professionals’ prior to starting if the above is relevant to you.