BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- B780
- Entry Requirements
- ABB (specific subject requirements apply)
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
Course Overview
Study for a degree in Paramedic Science and take your first steps towards a career where you can make 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, use your initiative and make conscientious, patient-centered decisions every day.
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 skills and knowledge you need to assess, treat, diagnose, supply and administer medicines, and to manage, discharge and refer patients in urgent, emergency, critical and non-hospital settings. In short, it will give you a flying start in this challenging profession.
Our BSc Paramedic Science is ranked in the top 15 for Paramedic Science by 'The Guardian University Guide 2023'.
https://www.hcpc-uk.org/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.
Throughout the course, you’ll complete placements on ambulances, hospital wards, specialist units and in 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:
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Make the course your own by planning an elective placement (a self-funded placement abroad)
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Develop expertise working alongside fellow healthcare professionals, plus agencies including the fire and rescue service and the police
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Explore real human anatomy linked to clinical practice in our anatomy suite
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Undertake a range of clinical placements on ambulances and other clinical areas such as hospital wards, specialist units and in general practice
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Become a valued member of and contributor to the #UEAParamedic community
Follow UEA's Paramedic Science Society on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook or Instagram.
Accreditations
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.
Our degree programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which means that once you successfully graduate you’ll be entitled to register as a paramedic.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- ABB including Biology, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry. Science A Levels must include a pass in the practical element. If you are taking an EPQ and three A Levels, we may offer you a one grade reduction on our advertised typical offer if you achieve an A in the EPQ.
- T Levels
- Obtain an overall Pass including a B in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. Acceptable subjects: Health, Healthcare Science, Science
- BTEC
- DDM – see below for accepted subjects
- Access to HE Diploma
- Pass with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3 in a Health, Care or Science subject, including 12 Level 3 credits in Biology or Chemistry
- International Baccalaureate
- 32 with HL 5 in Biology, Chemistry or Sports, Exercise & Health Science
- English Foreign Language
If English is not your first language, we will require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening) at the level of IELTS 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component).
Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
INTO UEA also offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- 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.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application.
Interview formatOur 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.
Experience of healthcareWe 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.
What type of experience do you need?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.
Practical ways to gain experienceKeep 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.
PROGRAMME CONDITIONS
Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check (including evidence of appropriate immunisations), an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.
PLACEMENTS
During the course, approximately 50% of your time will be spent on practice placement. The placement environments include hospitals, ambulance services, community services, general practice, social services and voluntary or private organisations. Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire. You’ll be required to travel both to and from your placement areas, and 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 are 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.
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
Driving Licence GuidanceIt 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.
- Deferred Entry
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 intend to apply with deferred entry, please let us know about your gap year plans in your UCAS application.
PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS
Once enrolled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- Intakes
This course is open to UK applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
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.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications, and we also recognise that some students might take a mixture of some of the qualifications above. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
Please note that we do not consider A Levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, 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 also 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.
GCSE REQUIREMENTS
5 GCSEs at a minimum grade C or grade 4, including Mathematics and English Language. These requirements apply alongside all other specified requirements.
RECENT STUDY
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
AGE ON ENTRY
Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by 31 December 2023. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.
INTERNATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
Note that you must be eligible for ‘home’ fees to be able to apply for this programme: Home or Overseas fees basics (UKCISA).
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
NHS Learning Support Fund
If you are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company, you can apply for additional financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund when studying this course.
Course Related Costs
View our information about Additional Course Fees.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
Paramedics are highly sought-after, and many of our graduates go on to work in the NHS ambulance service. However, you could also specialise in critical, urgent or primary care, or focus on non-clinical settings. You could work in an emergency department, the private sector, a walk-in centre, or a GP practice. Or you could even continue in higher education as a lecturer or clinical researcher.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Although most graduates go on to work in the ambulance services, as a paramedic graduate, you’ll also be sought after in a number of clinical areas. For example:
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Primary care
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Emergency departments
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Education
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Private ambulance services
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Prisons
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Off-shore platforms