Paramedic Science FdSc

St George's is pleased to confirm that the Foundation Degree in Paramedic Science has been approved as a two year course. The two year course will come in to effect from this coming admissions cycle 2010/11. This change will mean that students entering this year (2010/11) will now complete the programme in two years instead of the traditional three years. Students will also now be eligible for loans and bursaries from Student Finance England. If you have any questions regarding this please contact the Student Recruitment team on 020 8725 2333 or email enquiries@sgul.ac.uk

This course enables you to train as a paramedic, providing immediate assistance to patients in the emergency pre-hospital care environment. The degree combines learning in the workplace with academic study and is delivered by St George's, University of London, and Kingston University in conjunction with NHS Ambulance Trusts.

Paramedics assist individuals, families and groups to meet their healthcare needs, most often in an emergency or crisis. Their work involves assisting people whose autonomy and/or capacity is impaired, who may present with a range of disabilities or health-related problems, sometimes acting for, or on behalf of, the patient.

A defining feature of paramedic care is that it is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a focus on meeting people's immediate emergency-care needs. Paramedics also provide critical-care transportation services, often as part of a team of health professionals.

For more information about the course and the Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, visit the Centre for Paramedic Science web pages.

Paramedics embrace the concepts of inclusion, equal opportunities, individual rights, and empowerment of patients. Professional and patient/client autonomy is a key feature of the paramedic’s role.

Paramedic practitioners work principally with patients, families and communities in primary-care, acute and critical-care settings, including out-of-hospital, community, private practice, industry and sports settings. While the NHS employs the majority of paramedics and paramedic practitioners, significant numbers work in private practice.

Message from course director

"The paramedic profession is undergoing rapid development, with an increasing recognition of the role paramedics play in the provision of high-quality out-of-hospital care.  

"The development of new paramedic roles, such as critical practitioners and emergency-care practitioners, and the introduction of new therapies, are changing the way pre-hospital care is delivered. As a result, there has never been a more exciting time to join a paramedic science degree course.  

"The programme at St George’s has been designed to help prepare students to become competent paramedics who are capable of taking advantage of the emerging opportunities within the profession."