Paramedic Science

Duration

Three years, full-time

Application Deadline

24 February 2023

Location

St George's, University of London

UCAS Code

B781, institution code S49

Start dates

September 2023

Apply via UCAS

Managing life-threatening emergency situations, responding to patients suffering from illness or injury – it’s all in a day’s work for the paramedic. Working in a tight-knit team and with other healthcare professionals, you’ll provide immediate assistance indoors, outdoors, on the road or in the air.

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), our course provides eligibility to apply for registration on graduation. You will be taught by an energetic, enthusiastic team bringing a wide range of clinical experience for both pre- and post-registration study.

Our University offers a uniquely diverse range of paramedic teaching staff and uses state-of-the-art simulation facilities and with placement opportunities at the UK’s busiest ambulance service, as well as opportunities in other clinical settings. You will be educated in out-of-hospital care, urgent care, mental health, social needs, maternity, chronic conditions, pharmacology and trauma

Read more information about our courses and university services terms and conditions.

This course is officially endorsed by the College of Paramedics. The College of Paramedics is the recognised professional body for all paramedics in the UK, whose role is to promote and develop the paramedic profession across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Highlights

Education split between study and practice with approximately half your time spent on a variety of different placements with the London Ambulance Service (LAS), in hospital wards, theatres, A&E and maternity, beginning the first year.
The course is approved by the HCPC and confers eligibility to apply for registration on successful completion.
Cutting-edge facilities include a state-of-the-art paramedic simulation centre comprising home environments, ambulances and immersive rooms with the use of professional role players, to learn clinical skills and practise techniques in a safe environment.
As a Department we put a huge emphasis on student support throughout the three years through innovative pastoral support, learning support and peer support.
Established in 1752, St George’s, University of London is the UK’s specialist health university, and we are the only UK university to share our campus with a major teaching hospital, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is both on the clinical frontline for a diverse local community and a centre of excellence for specialist conditions.
Opportunity to study and work alongside the full range of clinical professionals and their patients while building your multidisciplinary understanding and context.
NHS funding offers eligible new and continuing students on this course £5,000 maintenance grant each year.

Learn more about studying at St George's

If you're looking to start your studies in 2023 or beyond, sign up for our free intro email series by clicking the button below.

Introduction to Paramedic Science webinar (2022 entry)

This webinar will give you an introduction to the Paramedic Science BSc degree at St George’s, to begin studying in 2022.

Course info

One of the largest courses of its kind in the country, our degree attracts a range of students of all ages and backgrounds. Some have always wanted to be a paramedic, while others are drawn to the profession by its fast pace, the chance to work outside of a hospital and be the first healthcare professional at a scene.

Combining workplace learning with academic study and practical skills training, our BSc is designed to develop you into an effective clinician capable of responding to a wide range of situations, such as minor illness, long term conditions, mental health and social care, which typically form the bulk of a paramedic’s workload. You will also be prepared to handle any situation, from cardiac arrest to traumatic injuries.

Approximately half of your time will be spent on placements in diverse clinical settings – not only with London Ambulance Service (LAS), which is the UK’s busiest ambulance service, but also in various hospital departments, including accident and emergency, theatre and maternity, and community placements, which can include GP surgeries and mental health units.

Practical skills training takes place in the dedicated paramedic simulation centre which includes an immersion room, clinical skills lab and simulation suite, which includes two replica ambulances. The centre enables students to learn skills, practice scenarios and be involved in simulations in a range of different environments utilising the wide range of manikins and equipment. This allows students to transfer theory into practice that will replicate their future profession and be prepared for practice placements.

Explore St George's

Find out more about what makes us such a unique institution.

“St George's doesn’t just have incredible facilities, the calibre and passion of the teaching staff are also second to none. The majority of the department work as paramedics with a diverse background of specialisms, so they’re all bang up to date on current clinical practice and understand the job that you’re training to do.”

- Eloisa

Paramedic Science BSc

Top tips on your application

Hear advice from our Finance and Admissions teams.

Tuition fees

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Home (UK) tuition fees

Academic Year	UK (per academic year)	Total fee*
2023/24	£9,250	£27,750

*Tuition fees for Home (UK) students are determined by UK government policy. Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. Fees for second and subsequent years are likely to increase annually in line with UK inflation as measured by the Retail Price Index (RPI-X) and subject to maximum regulated fee rates set by the government.

For more information about fees, check our fees and funding pages, and read the UK government information about fees and funding.

Additional costs

The table below highlights the additional course-specific costs related to this degree. Visit the additional course-related costs page for more information on general costs to consider alongside your studies.

Additional cost

Description

Admissions costs

DBS - £40

Post office verification - £6

Administration fee - £9

Clubs, Societies and Community Projects at St George's

Visit the Students' Union website

Students' Union

As a student at St George's you're also automatically a member of our Students' Union, which offers over 120 clubs, societies and community projects.

Find out more

Aviation & Space Medicine Society

We provide specialist clinical knowledge of aviation and space medicine, through lectures, forums and tutorials.

Find out more

Cheer & Gym Society

The Firebirds are an all-inclusive level 1 cheer team who stunt, tumble, jump and dance both competitively and recreationally.

Find out more

Afro-Caribbean Society

The Afro Caribbean Society (ACS) aims to empower people from a variety of backgrounds by bringing people together to appreciate the culture and heritage of different African and Caribbean countries.

Find out more

Marrow

Marrow is a voluntary student organisation that works with Anthony Nolan to recruit potential donors onto the stem cell register. We organise donor recruitment clinics here at St George's and also raise charitable funds to run the events and support the charity.

Find out more

Henry Gray Anatomy Society

If you are interested in Anatomy, Surgery, or just want to further your anatomical education, then this is the perfect society for you!

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Athena SWAN Student Network

Our Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) chapter is a student society that fundamentally promotes racial diversity and the equality of all genders within STEMM career advancement.

Find out more

Yoga Society

Namaste! The Yoga Society is one of the most active societies at St George's, with students and staff taking part in the three weekly yoga sessions.

Find out more

Craft Society

This is the home of all different crafts at George's. We meet every Monday in the Dragon Bar from 5pm to craft. We welcome everyone, experienced or not and are always happy to teach!

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Vegan and Vegetarian Society

We hope to create a community for vegans, vegetarians & anyone interested in moving towards a more cruelty free lifestyle and to provide support in adopting a plant based lifestyle.

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Catholic Society

We're a family of Catholic (and non-Catholic) students from St George's who gather occasionally to pray the rosary, share stories, food and encouragement.

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Christian Union

We are a group of Christians from multiple denominations - united around the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our mission and aim is to build each other up in our faith and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the St Georges community.

Islamic Society

Our aim is to help students develop academically, socially and most importantly spiritually as they progress through university.

Find out more

St George's Jewish Society

The Jewish Society aims to be a family away from home for all of the Jewish students on campus! We are warm, welcoming and inclusive, and invite anyone from any background to join us.

Find out more

Please scroll down for 2024 entry criteria.

Entry Criteria: 2023 Entry

To be eligible for the Paramedic Science BSc programme, you must meet the requirements outlined under Entry Qualifications, Other Academic Requirements, and Non-academic Requirements below.

Entry Qualifications

With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been completed within the previous five years, including the year of application.

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A Levels

If you are applying on the basis of A Levels, you must meet both the A Level and GCSE requirements below.

Grades	BBB
Subjects	Including one science subject. General Studies is not accepted.
Contextual admissions	At St George’s, we want to attract students who share our mission to improve the health of society, regardless of their background. That’s why our Contextual Admissions schemes take into consideration additional information from your application, like the school you attended or the area you live in or if you have been in care, to make the admissions process fairer. Further details on Contextual Admissions are available here.
Additional information
Accepted science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology.

GCSEs

Grades	Five subjects graded 4 (C) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

International Baccalaureate

If you are applying on the basis of International Baccalaureate, you need to meet both our Higher Level and Standard Level requirements, as outlined below.

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

Overall score of 30

Subjects

14 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology or Chemistry.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 4 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 4 (C) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English. For Maths, we accept both Mathematics: analysis & approaches and Mathematics: applications & interpretations. For English, we accept A (language & literature) and B (language).

Access Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of an Access Diploma, you must meet both the Access Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

Award	Full award diploma (in a science or healthcare subject)
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Subjects	30 science related credits. 21 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit.
Additional information	Science subjects include Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology. The course should be QAA recognised.

GCSEs

Grades	Two subjects graded 4 (C) or above
Subjects	English Language and Maths
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

Other UK Qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. DDM Must be in a science or healthcare subject. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Pearson BTEC Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. DM with a science A Level at grade B Must be in a science or healthcare subject. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. M2, M2, M2 Three principal subjects to including one science subject. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Scottish Highers	If you are applying on the basis of Scottish Highers, you must meet the Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5 requirements below. Highers: BBB including one science subject Advanced Highers: BB English Language and Maths National 5 at grade C or higher is required.
UK Undergraduate Degree	If you are applying on the basis of a degree, you do not need to meet our GCSE or Level 3 (A Level) requirements. 2:2 Honours Must be in a science or healthcare subject.
Other	Please contact us.

Other Academic Requirements

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English Language

If you are applying from outside of the UK, you will need to meet the English language requirements outlined here. This is a group 1 course.

Non-academic Requirements

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Nationality

Citizens of the UK, or those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, can apply for this course.

Personal Statement

In addition to meeting the academic criteria for admission, you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the paramedic role, and an awareness of and interest in potential career opportunities. Alongside this you should be able to demonstrate through relevant life and/or work experiences how your personal values align with the values of the NHS, and explain why you want to study Paramedic Science.

Work Experience and Insight

We understand the challenges for our prospective applicants for medicine and allied health courses trying to gain work experience at this time, particularly in clinical settings.

In response to the government’s social distancing guidelines, which have a significant impact on all areas of life, we have chosen to relax our work experience requirements for prospective applicants for our courses which would normally require these.

Despite the relaxed requirements, we still require our applicants to have an understanding of the realities of working as a healthcare professional and to show they have the necessary skills and attributes for their chosen career. Online resources can give you valuable insight into working in the healthcare sector and outline the wide range of careers and courses available. You can find a number of suggested resources for each of our courses here.

Occupational Health Check

Should you receive an offer to study at St George’s, you will be required to complete a health check and be declared fit to study and practise by the Occupational Health (OH) department before you begin your studies.

The following vaccinations are mandatory for all healthcare students before you begin your studies:

MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
Meningococcal meningitis
Diphtheria
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliomyelitis
Tetanus

As part of the process, you will also be screened by the OH team for Chickenpox, Tuberculosis, HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

We do not currently require you to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, but we strongly recommend that you get double vaccinated before the start of your studies, unless medically exempt.

When admitting candidates to study and practise as a health practitioner, we have an obligation to both patients and to the individual student. Candidates who are concerned about a health issue are advised to contact us.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check & Additional Declarations

This course will include work with children and vulnerable adults, so you will be required to submit a series of declarations.

If you are invited to an interview, we will request some additional information from you, regarding your criminal record, educational history and employment history. You will also have the opportunity to make any other declarations that you’d like us to be aware of. We may not able to consider applicants who were suspended from previous study/work due to fitness to practise issues or failure in assessments/examinations.

If you are made an offer, you will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. More information about this is sent to applicants as part of the admissions process.

Entry Criteria: 2024 Entry

To be eligible for the Paramedic Science BSc programme, you must meet the requirements outlined under Entry Qualifications, Other Academic Requirements, and Non-academic Requirements below. Citizens of the UK, or those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, can apply for this course.

Entry Qualifications

With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been completed within the previous five years, including the year of application.

View all Close all

A Levels

If you are applying on the basis of A Levels, you must meet both the A Level and GCSE requirements below.

Grades	BBB
Subjects	Including one science subject. General Studies is not accepted.
Additional information
Accepted science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology.

GCSEs

Grades	Five subjects graded 4 (C) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

International Baccalaureate

If you are applying on the basis of International Baccalaureate, you need to meet both our Higher Level and Standard Level requirements, as outlined below.

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

Overall score of 30

Subjects

14 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology or Chemistry.

Access Diploma

If you are applying on the basis of an Access Diploma, you must meet both the Access Diploma and GCSE requirements below.

Award	Full award diploma (in a science or healthcare subject)
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Subjects	30 science related credits. 21 credits at Distinction and 24 credits at Merit.
Additional information	Science subjects include Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology. The course should be QAA recognised.

GCSEs

Grades	Two subjects graded 4 (C) or above
Subjects	English Language and Maths
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Skills instead of GCSEs.

Other UK Qualifications

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. DDM Must be in a science or healthcare subject. We do not accept the Public Services or Uniformed Protective Services BTECs, unless supplemented with a science or healthcare qualification. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Pearson BTEC Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Pearson BTEC Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. DM with a science A Level at grade B Must be in a science or healthcare subject. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma	If you are applying on the basis of a Cambridge Pre-U Diploma, you must meet both the Diploma and GCSE requirements below. M2, M2, M2 Three principal subjects to including one science subject. 5 GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above. Subjects must include English Language, Maths and Science (Double or Triple Award).
Scottish Highers	If you are applying on the basis of Scottish Highers, you must meet the Highers, Advanced Highers and National 5 requirements below. Highers: BBB including one science subject Advanced Highers: BB English Language and Maths National 5 at grade C or higher is required.
UK Undergraduate Degree	If you are applying on the basis of a degree, you do not need to meet our GCSE or Level 3 (A Level) requirements. 2:2 Honours Must be in a science or healthcare subject.
Other	We accept other qualifications on a case-by-case basis. If you are applying with qualifications not listed above, or a combination of level 3 qualifications, your application will be considered. If you would like further information, please contact us.

Contextual Admissions

At St George’s, we want to attract students who share our mission to improve the health of society, regardless of their background. That’s why our Contextual Admissions schemes take into consideration additional information from your application, like the school you attended or the area you live in or if you have been in care, to make the admissions process fairer. Further details on Contextual Admissions are available here.

Other Academic Requirements

View all Close all

English Language

If you are applying from outside of the UK, you will need to meet the English language requirements outlined here. This is a group 1 course.

Non-academic Requirements

View all Close all

Nationality

Citizens of the UK, or those with indefinite leave to remain in the UK, can apply for this course.

Personal Statement

Work Experience and Insight

We understand the challenges for our prospective applicants for medicine and allied health courses trying to gain work experience at this time, particularly in clinical settings.

In response to the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have chosen to relax our work experience requirements for prospective applicants for our courses which would normally require these.

Interview (MMI)

If you meet the entry requirements above, you will be invited to attend a Multiple Mini Interview (MMI). This will usually be in-person, however we can also offer remote MMIs for international applicants.

You can find further information about this process on our MMI Guidance page, however please note that some of this information may change for those applying during the 2024 application cycle.

Occupational Health Check

The following vaccinations are mandatory for all healthcare students before you begin your studies:

MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
Meningococcal meningitis
Diphtheria
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Poliomyelitis
Tetanus

As part of the process, you will also be screened by the OH team for Chickenpox, Tuberculosis, HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

We do not currently require you to have been vaccinated against Covid-19, but we strongly recommend that you get double vaccinated before the start of your studies, unless medically exempt.

Disclosure and Barring Service Checks and Additional Declarations

This course will include work with children and vulnerable adults, so you will be required to submit a series of declarations.

If you are made an offer, you will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. More information about this is sent to applicants as part of the admissions process.

Recent Engagement in Education

Due to the demanding nature of the programme, it is important that applicants can demonstrate recent engagement in education. If the qualifications that you are applying on the basis of (e.g. Level 3 or degree level qualifications) were awarded more than five years ago (e.g. before summer 2019), it may still be possible for us to consider your application. In this case, we would look at supplementary level 3 qualifications, or relevant work experience, that you have undertaken within the last five years.

These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, following submission of a UCAS application.

The time on the programme is split between university based learning and clinical placements.

Patient-focused from the outset, your learning is designed to equip you with a range of essential professional skills and competencies, which become progressively more advanced as the course develops. Leadership and medicine management form part of the spiral curriculum embedded in the programme.

In Year 1, you will become familiarised with the safe selection and use of ambulance and paramedic equipment, practising safe assessment and handling of patients, measuring vital signs and administering immediate life support, including defibrillation, in simulated sessions.

You will also be introduced to the essential foundations, gaining a broad understanding of the role and responsibilities of paramedics, the legal and ethical framework underpinning professional practice. You will build a strong foundational knowledge of the anatomy, physiology and physiological processes of the human body and other relevant basic sciences, including microbiology, pharmacology, genetics, growth and development.

In Year 2, you will increase your knowledge of health, disorder and dysfunction so that you can better understand, anticipate, direct and provide appropriate care to patients. This includes the pathophysiology of pain, tumours and infectious or genetic diseases affecting the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, endocrine and renal systems in both children and adults. You will consider problems with drugs in renal and liver diseases, pregnancy, the elderly and children. Medical ethics, law, and the effects of human factors on patient safety are also covered.

Clinical skills development focuses on acute and critical illnesses, such as heart attacks, strokes and diabetic emergencies. This will include advanced analgesia, airway management, advanced vascular access, allowing for the knowledge and understanding required to offer advanced life support to patients suffering from out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OOHCA). You will also spend time assessing, identifying and managing treatment regimens for a range of mental health conditions.

The third and final year aims to help you transition to professional paramedic practice. Skills development focuses on styles of leadership, mentoring, communication, decision making and the adoption of a holistic patient approach involving other healthcare professionals. You will look at alternative referral pathways for stable and unstable chronic conditions to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. You will also undertake a literature review on a topic of your choice – this could range from analysing certain treatment techniques to methods of diagnosing injury or illness.

You will graduate as an effective, independent paramedic with empathy, sensitivity and a patient-centred approach to practice, able to problem solve, prioritise and adapt to the changing needs and demands of the profession.

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Modules throughout the course may include

Introduction to Paramedic Clinical Care
Science for Paramedics
Professional Practice 1
Applied Paramedic Clinical Care
Paramedic Management of Acute and Critical Illness
Applied Science for Paramedics
Professional Practice 2
Assessment and Evaluation of Mental Health in Out of Hospital Setting
Evidence Based Practice for Paramedics
Paramedic approach and Management of Hospital Avoidance
Paramedic Management of Minor Health Problems
Transition to Paramedic Practice

This course will enable you to train as a paramedic, providing immediate assistance to patients in the emergency out of hospital environment.

Teaching and learning methods

Practice placements form an integral part of the course and help you link the theoretical knowledge with your practical experiences, enabling you develop a high standard of patient care.

Academic and skills modules are taught weekly throughout the academic year in sessions spread over two to four days per week. In addition to face-to-face learning, you will spend an average of 20 hours each week working online, assimilating information, performing activities and undertaking self-directed learning. Delivery may vary from one module to another, but we will ensure you are always properly guided and advised.

The skills required for the paramedic profession are wide and varied. We pay particular attention to developing your practical skills using the same equipment that is used in the ambulance services. These skills are practised using a variety of manikins and other equipment in various scenarios, that are constantly being updated to ensure realism and authenticity. Non-technical skills such as confidence in communication, compassion and empathy are a crucial element of Paramedic practice. Through the use of simulation and a variety of role players and professional actors, these skills are developed and tiered throughout the three years.

Each year, final year paramedics support and promote mental health and wellbeing in collaboration with the mental health charity MIND, as part of the student paramedic Blue Light Champion volunteer initiative. Every year the student paramedic Blue Light Champions organise a national mental health conference, held at St George’s.

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Our expertise

You will be taught by an energetic, enthusiastic team bringing a wide range of clinical experience for both pre- and post-registration study. No other University offers such a range of paramedic teaching staff on one programme. Paramedic staff members come from a wide range of clinical backgrounds including critical care paramedics, patient transfer, and helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS). We also have a Red Cross Clinical Lead, mental health practitioner, urgent care and primary care specialists, anaesthetists, intensivists, educational technologist, senior technician, and an anatomist on the team.

Our teaching draws on the expertise of our placement collaborators and where possible* includes a number of inter professional away days working with other emergency services in and around London. Hugely popular and with limited places, Transport for London (TFL), London Fire Brigade (LFB) and METPOL (Metropolitan Police) days feature real-life accident and crime scenes, for example, requiring patient extraction from crashed vehicles or access to locked buildings, a mass casualty incident on an escalator or the underground, to name just a few.

We also offer a rich programme of guest lectures from consultant paediatricians, gynaecologists, doctors, midwives and paramedic facilitators from LAS and SECAmb (South East Coast Ambulance Service), as well as ethics, consent, mental health and end-of-life experts.

*Our priority remains to keep our staff and students safe and make sure we follow government guidance on Covid-19, which may affect the scheduling of inter-agency activities and on-site teaching.

Assessment methods

We employ a range of assessment methods for this course, including essays, reports, presentations and exams as well as clinical practice assessments, case reviews and specific research topics.

Placement

The variety and volume of clinical placement opportunities we offer is one of the highlights of our course. You will sample professional life in a range of ambulance and hospital clinical settings, which includes hospital wards, theatres, GP surgeries, walk-in centres, minor injuries units, maternity, community nursing, mental health and palliative care teams. You will spend approximately 10 weeks each year on placement with the LAS.

Interspersed throughout the three years, these elements tend to be in blocks, and you will be required to attend shifts alongside your Practice Educator’s working pattern, encompassing both day and night shift patterns. On placement, you are supervised by experienced clinicians and trained mentors.

The structure of your placement is as follows:

Year 1 placements are mainly ambulance-based with a short placement on an Hospital unit/ward.
Year 2 placements go into theatres, maternity, coronary care unit (CCU) and A&E, (one-week each) plus 10 weeks of ambulance placement.
Year 3 placements consist of four weeks of community, mental health placement and 10 weeks of ambulance placement.

Practice placement locations include:

London Ambulance Service (LAS), South West London
Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, Carshalton, Surrey
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, London
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Kingston, Surrey
St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London
Croydon University Hospital, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, Surrey.

*This list is subject to change.

While the St George’s programmes are recognised by many different countries, applicants are advised to check with their own individual national authorities if they wish to practise in their chosen country.

There is a huge demand for paramedics, not just here in the UK, but all over the world.

Paramedics can now work in a variety of environments including traditional 999 ambulance services, GP practices, walk-in centres, minor injuries units, helicopter emergency services, research establishments, and remote environments like oil rigs or expeditions.

Our Paramedic Science BSc Degree will prepare you for one of several available clinical routes – assessing, treating and transporting sick and injured people and helping individuals, families and groups meet their healthcare needs in an emergency or crisis. It is approved by the HCPC, and on graduation you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Paramedic.

In line with the evolution of health and social care practice and NHS Long Term Plan, many of our graduates will go on to work in the NHS. However, more and more are now choosing to work in a range of out-of-hospital emergency and primary care services, some will also choose to go on to work in the private and charity sectors.

Paramedic careers are hugely rewarding and form an integral part of the emergency healthcare workforce. Alternatively, you may choose to further your study with postgraduate education in a variety of topics.

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Possible career pathways

Emergency control centres
General Practice
HEMS
Minor injury units
NHS ambulances
A&E
Walk-in centres
111
Police custody suites
Prisons
Oil rigs
Rapid response units

Advanced careers

Specialist practice
Management
Research
Teaching

Careers support for new graduates

Graduates from St George’s have access to support from the careers service for two years after graduation.

Facilities

St George’s is the only UK university based on a hospital site, St George’s Hospital, which is where the Channel 4 television series 24 hours in A&E is filmed. We offer a unique opportunity to study and work alongside the full range of clinical professionals and their patients. Based in the thriving multi-cultural hub of Tooting in South West London, our location has the added advantage of being just a short tube ride from Central London and all the city lifestyle has to offer.

We also have a range of specialist paramedic facilities to support your learning, listed below.

Paramedic simulation centre

Complete with two fully-fitted rear sections of an ambulance, three purpose-built domicile rooms, a skills lab and an immersion room capable of 270° projections, these spaces can be adapted to fit any required environment or scenario. Using the facilities to simulate real-life situations helps you build confidence, flexibility and resilience.

We also have a range of specialist health and academic facilities to support your learning, listed below.

Dissecting room

In addition to the face-to-face sessions and online materials and activities, the Paramedic programme at St George’s, University of London includes some Dissecting Room visits. The Dissecting Room is a unique learning resource that aids your understanding of the human body and explores practical and clinical applications such as physical assessment and clinical procedures.

Please note: The Dissecting Room is currently closed while we complete extensive improvement works. We hope we will be able to resume practical teaching in our facility in early 2023.

Pathology museum

Our on-site museum houses a collection of over 2,000 pathological specimens, including display specimens exhibiting diseases from lung cancer to tuberculosis. This space is used for small group tutorials by students across all of our courses as an educational tool to help you understand the mechanisms of disease.

Library and learning technology

Our modern health sciences library offers a wide range of books, e-books, academic journals and other resources to support you. You will also have access to online resources, such as the Canvas virtual learning environment

and our Hunter discovery service to help you find the information you need. The library is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and comprises silent, quiet and group learning areas, as well as four group discussion rooms.

IT facilities

We have five computer suites housing 260 workstations. Three of these suites are accessible 24 hours a day. It’s easy to find a free space with our handy real-time computer locator. We also have 75 self-service laptops available. Free Wi-Fi covers the whole campus, including all accommodation. You can use these resources to access your course materials, discussion boards and feedback through Canvas.

Student support

Whether you are heading off to university straight from school or college, or returning to education as a mature student, we want to ensure your experience is positive from the outset. At St George’s, you’ll be welcomed by a multicultural student and staff body of different ages, ethnicities, nationalities and backgrounds, all with one thing in common – an interest in healthcare, science and medicine.

Students frequently tell us they greatly appreciate the diversity of our student and staff body, as well as the patients who access healthcare services in the borough of Tooting. We attract a substantial number of ‘mature’ students, aged 21 or over when they start; many have family and caring responsibilities.

We offer a full range of academic support and student services across all institutes, departments and faculties, some of which are listed below. We believe we offer a transformative educational experience underpinned by cooperation and collaboration between staff and students. Our innovative Student-Staff Partnership Grants (SSPGs), for example, provide funding for small projects led jointly by students and staff.

Wellbeing

The Department of Paramedic Science prides itself on our unique model of pastoral and learning support, provided by two dedicated members of staff. The Department puts a huge emphasis on promoting positive wellbeing and provides tools and strategies for looking after yourself when undertaking your study as a future health care professional. We champion our culture of support within our learning community and have a peer support model with our student paramedic Blue Light Champions.

Personal tutor

You will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of the programme – someone with whom you can have regular contact, who you ask questions and discuss problems with, both academic and personal. The main purpose of a personal tutor is to monitor your progress, pick up and help you resolve any problems, whether academic or welfare related. Even if they do not have the answer they will point you in the right direction towards the best people to deal with specific problems.

Induction programme

Within your first week at St George’s, you’ll take part in an induction programme to help with your orientation and introduce you to various study skills, including interprofessional learning and use of the Dissecting Room. Additional sessions provide advice and guidance about the Registry, Students’ Union, personal tutor system, safety, occupational health and sexual health awareness.

Clinical placement support

We have service level agreements with most placement sites and lecturers act as clinical placement co-ordinators. They work closely with placement sites to ensure all students receive high quality training and mentoring whilst on clinical placements, and will visit students during placements to support and monitor progress.

Academic staff support

You’ll have access to your lecturers, usually by arrangement via email.

Mums and dads scheme

‘Mums and dads’ is a buddy scheme organised by the Students’ Union. Every fresher (first year student) has the choice of being assigned a ‘parent’ from the year above in their respective course. The returning student then acts as a ‘go to’ for advice about courses and university life, providing an additional support system during your first year, both academically and socially. They have been in your position and know the struggles of starting university; they also know all of the best pubs, clubs, restaurants, gyms and will help introduce you to your new St George’s family.

Student Life Centre

Our Student Centre team can help you with every aspect of student life: finances, accommodation, exams and assessment, academic procedures, admissions, international queries, disability and wellbeing, even finding your way around – whatever it takes to make you feel at home. Each course has a designated contact within the student centre to link to and your personal tutor can signpost you to relevant support, including a confidential counselling service.

Careers service

Our careers service works to support current students and recent graduates to find and maintain the career of their dreams. We work with careers tutors from each course area to ensure that careers activities specific to your programmes and future profession come to you. Each year, primarily for second and third-year students, we hold an annual radiography careers fair, hosted online in 2020, to which we invite various NHS trusts to come and showcase their organisations.

Apply for this course through UCAS (the University and College Admissions Service) by UCAS January deadline in the year of entry.

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Application checklist

You must provide:

full details of your Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) qualifications with grades
full details of your Level 3 (A Level or equivalent) qualifications with achieved/predicted grades
a personal statement (more information about this document is available on the UCAS website)
an academic reference from your current or most recent institutions with predicted grades

Deferred entry

We will consider applications from applicants who wish to defer entry by a year, provided you plan to use the time constructively. If you are offered a place on the course and subsequently decide to defer, you must inform us by 1 June of the year of application.

After application

Acknowledgement emails are sent out as soon as we receive your application. Please make sure that your email account is able to accept communications from St George’s as we will mainly communicate with you via email.

Make your application stand out

Read our guidance on preparing a strong application for a course at St George's.

At the moment there are no changes to our programmes due to Covid-19.

If you start at St George's in 2023 your course will be delivered in the normal way and you can expect the full university experience from us.

If you started prior to this and would like to see the changes that were made to your programme, please visit this webpage.

University response to Covid-19

Find out more about how we are ensuring our campus is safe and what our community can do to protect each other.

Duration

Three years, full-time

Application Deadline

24 February 2023

UCAS Code

B781, institution code S49

Apply via UCAS

Paramedic Science

Highlights

Learn more about studying at St George's

Introduction to Paramedic Science webinar (2022 entry)

Course info

Explore St George's

Top tips on your application

Tuition fees

Clubs, Societies and Community Projects at St George's

Students' Union

Aviation & Space Medicine Society

Cheer & Gym Society

Afro-Caribbean Society

Marrow

Henry Gray Anatomy Society

Athena SWAN Student Network

Yoga Society

Craft Society

Vegan and Vegetarian Society

Catholic Society

Christian Union

Islamic Society

St George's Jewish Society

Entry Criteria: 2023 Entry

Entry Qualifications

Other Academic Requirements

Non-academic Requirements

Entry Criteria: 2024 Entry

Entry Qualifications

Other Academic Requirements

Non-academic Requirements

Teaching and learning methods

Placement

Careers support for new graduates

Facilities

Paramedic simulation centre

Dissecting room

Pathology museum

Library and learning technology

IT facilities

Student support

Wellbeing

Personal tutor

Induction programme

Clinical placement support

Academic staff support

Mums and dads scheme

Student Life Centre

Careers service

Make your application stand out

University response to Covid-19

Apply now

Duration

Application Deadline

UCAS Code