Paramedic Science

Duration

Three years, full time

Application Deadline

15 January 2020

Location

St George's, University of London

UCAS Code

B781, institution code S49

UK, EU and EEA

Not open to non-EU (international) students

Start dates

September 2020

Paramedic Science BSc will enable you to train as a paramedic, providing immediate assistance to patients in the emergency out of hospital environment and to assess, treat and refer patients requiring urgent care.

BSc Paramedic Science is designed to develop you into an effective clinician who is capable of responding to and managing life-threatening emergency situations, from cardiac arrest to multi-system trauma. You will also cover minor illness and injury, as managing these types of patient calls, along with chronic conditions, are the main part of a paramedic’s workload. The programme will train you in out of hospital care, urgent care, mental health, social needs, maternity, chronic conditions, pharmacology and trauma.

The degree combines learning in the workplace with academic study. Students time is split between academic blocks at University (including simulated practice) and clinical placement blocks at the UK’s busiest Ambulance Trust and other practice placements.

Once enrolled on the course you can apply for student membership of the College of Paramedics, the UK’s paramedic professional body. This can be upgraded to full membership following graduation. Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

The course is awarded by St George’s, University of London, and is delivered by the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education.

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

Highlights

Shared campus with one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK.
Spend on average 1,125 hours in practice placements.
Placement will vary between Ambulance trust shifts, hospital wards, theatres, A&E, maternity units, cardiac care units, intensive care units and a variety of community-based placements.
Students will generally undertake 525 hours on placement per academic year.
Interprofessional learning: our students learn alongside one another, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare workplace environment
State-of-the-art paramedic simulation centre comprising home environments, ambulances and interactive immersive rooms and clinical cubicles.
This course is awarded by St George’s, University of London, and taught in partnership with Kingston University, so you will benefit from a multi-faculty experience combined with the health science expertise offered by St George’s.
Careers advice embedded into our teaching.
Senior lecturers are working clinicians still undertaking practice.
Guest lectures and speakers in specialist topics.
Access to Dissection Room and Pathology Museum.

Explore St George's

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

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Students studying Allied Health degrees at university are set to receive an additional £5,000 per year of NHS funding from September 2020. The additional funding will be provided on top of existing support, including student loans. The additional funding applies to new and existing students and does not need to be paid back.

The government expects the £5,000 maintenance grants to benefit around 100,000 students every year.

There will also be extra payments worth up to £3,000 per academic year for eligible students. These include:

£1,000 towards childcare costs
£1,000 if studying in a region that is struggling to recruit
£1,000 if they’re a new student studying a shortage specialism important to delivering the NHS Long Term Plan.

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Read the full article.

Tuition fees

View all Close all

Home (UK/EU) tuition fees

Academic Year	UK/EU (per academic year)	Total fee*
2020/21	£9,250	£27,750

*Tuition fees for Home (UK) and EU 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.

International (non-EU) tuition fees

Academic Year	International (per academic year)	Total fee*
2020/21	£16,000	£48,000

*Tuition fees for international students are set by St George’s University of London. 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 will not normally increase by more than 5% each year, except when the rate of inflation is significantly more than that projected in the preceding year.

International students are generally not accepted, however, please check with our Admissions Tutor prior to application.

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

Register your interest for Clearing and Adjustment

You must meet both the entry and personal statement criteria to be considered for this course. With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must have been completed within the previous five years, including the year of application.

Entry criteria: 2020

View all Close all

Nationality

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

GCSEs

Grades	5 subjects graded C (4) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Double Award Science.
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths instead of GCSEs.

A Levels

Grades	BBC
Subjects	Must include one science subject.
Adjusted Criteria	If you attend a school or college in England from this list (i.e. a non-selective state school with an average A Level grade of D+ or below, or one that is in the bottom 20% in England for progression to Higher Education) then you may be eligible to receive an adjusted A Level offer two grades lower than the standard for the course. For Paramedic Science BSc this will be an A Level offer of CCC. You will still have to meet all other academic and non-academic entry requirements. Please note that eligibility is determined based on the school/college at which you take your A Levels. If you completed your GCSEs at a school on our Adjusted Criteria list, but then undertook your A Levels at a school/college that is not on this list, you will not qualify for an adjusted offer. The scheme is reviewed annually, so may change scope in future years.
Additional information
A Levels must be completed within two years. Accepted science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology.

International Baccalaureate

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

5, 5, 4 at Higher Level (HL)

4, 4, 4 at Standard Level (SL)

Subjects

Biology or Chemistry (score 5 at HL)

Maths and English Language at SL

Access Diploma

Award	Full Award Diploma (in a science subject)
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Grades	To include a minimum of 30 pure science related credits. Overall 24 credits must be graded at Distinction and 21 credits a minimum of Merit.
Subjects	Pure science includes Biology and Mathematics related credits, excluding Sociology.
Additional credits	Any additional credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted.
Additional information
You are required to have GCSEs in English Language and Maths alongside the Access Diploma as per the requirements outlined above. Students studying an Access Diploma need to provide a detailed transcript. All units must be verified by the local Open College Network (OCN). The Access course must be completed within the last 4 years.

Other qualifications

14-19 Diploma	Overall grade C in one of the following lines of learning, with an additional A2 Level in a science subject at grade C: Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering or Health, Society and Development.
Advanced GNVQ	AGNVQ Science at Distinction and Human Biology at A Level with a minimum grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma	DDM Must be in a science or healthcare subject.
BTEC Extended Certificate or BTEC Diploma	DM with a science A Level Subject: Healthcare-related subject and supplemented with an additional science A Level.
Irish Leaving Certificate	Six subjects at Higher Level, including 1 science at C1 or above. English, Maths and Biology at Ordinary Level at C3 or above.
Open University	90 units at level 1 and 2. Level 1: Exploring Science module, 60 units. Level 2: Any other science, social science or healthcare based module, 30 units. If you do not have Maths GCSE A* to C, you will need to complete the Discovering Mathematics module, 30 units. All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry.
University of East Anglia	Certificate of Higher Education in Emergency Medical Care, two years, 120 credits.
Birkbeck College Certificate of Life Science	Pre-2017: Merit Post-2017: Minimum of 60%
Undergraduate science or health-related degree	2:2 honours degree awarded in the past five years.
Other	Please contact us.

English language

If English is not your first language and you have not sat a GCSE/IGCSE, you must provide evidence of your proficiency via tests listed below. The test is valid for a period of two years.

GCSE / IGCSE

English Language Grade 6 / B or above.

IELTS

(International English Language Testing System)

7.0 overall (including 7.0 in Writing and component and a minimum score of 6.5 in the Speaking, Reading and Listening component)

You can take two attempts to achieve your IELTS qualification per year, and your test results are valid for two years.

Pearson's Test

Overall score of 67 (with at least 67 in Writing and at least 61 in your other 3 components).

Non-academic criteria

Work experience	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.
Personal Statement	Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the paramedic sciences, and an awareness of and interest in the potential career opportunities
Health and Police screening	Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox.
Driving Licence	As a registered paramedic, you are not required to hold a driving licence. However, it will be easier to secure a job when you graduate if you do have a current driving license with no more than three points on it.
Professional registration	If you belong to a registered professional body, please provide details at interview.

Voluntary and work experience

You should have work or voluntary experience in a medical or health-related field and be able to demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope of paramedic science. We consider anything that involves working directly with patients or people in need of care as relevant. Although clinical experience is useful, your work experience does not have to take place in a hospital. It can be paid or voluntary. We prefer hands-on work experience to shadowing. Working in a care home, hospice or doing community work with disabled adults or children are considered very relevant.

We do not specify a minimum amount of work experience and although you can use experiences from your past we always recommend that you include your most recent experience.

Health and police screening

Candidates accepted onto healthcare courses are required to pass an occupational health screening. When admitting candidates to study and practice 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 strongly advised to contact us before applying. All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory health clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations.

All candidates will be asked to be immunised against Hepatitis B for personal safety, so please contact your general practitioner (GP) to arrange a screening. You should begin a course of Hepatitis B immunisation as soon as you submit your UCAS application, as it consists of three injections over six months. If you firmly accept an offer, you will be sent a confidential health questionnaire and further information about the process of screening for Hepatitis B.

This course includes working with children and vulnerable adults, therefore all applicants must have enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. More information about this will be sent to applicants as part of the admissions process.

Professional registration

If you are a current healthcare professional or a member of a registered professional body, you must provide details of your registration. If you have had your professional registration suspended or revoked, or undergone a disciplinary/fitness to practice investigation, you will be required to provide further information if selected for interview. This will be reviewed by the admissions tutor and you may be required to provide full copies of related documentation. Any information you disclose will only be used for the purpose of considering your application to the applied course.

Entry criteria: 2021

View all Close all

Nationality

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

GCSEs

Grades	5 subjects graded C (4) or above
Subjects	Five subjects which must include English Language, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Double Award Science.
Additional information
We accept resits of GCSEs. We do not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths instead of GCSEs.

A Levels

Grades	BBC
Subjects	Must include one science subject.
Adjusted Criteria	If you attend a school or college in England from this list (i.e. a non-selective state school with an average A Level grade of D+ or below, or one that is in the bottom 20% in England for progression to Higher Education) then you may be eligible to receive an adjusted A Level offer two grades lower than the standard for the course. For Paramedic Science BSc this will be an A Level offer of CCC. You will still have to meet all other academic and non-academic entry requirements. Please note that eligibility is determined based on the school/college at which you take your A Levels . If you completed your GCSEs at a school on our Adjusted Criteria list, but then undertook your A Levels at a school/college that is not on this list, you will not qualify for an adjusted offer. The scheme is reviewed annually, so may change scope in future years.
Additional information
A Levels must be completed within two years. Accepted science subjects include: Applied Science, Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Physics, Psychology and Sociology

International Baccalaureate

Award

Full Award Diploma

Scores

5, 5, 4 at Higher Level (HL)

4, 4, 4 at Standard Level (SL)

Subjects

Biology or Chemistry (score 5 at HL)

Maths and English Language at SL

Access Diploma

Award	Full Award Diploma (in a science subject)
Scores	60 credits at level 3 (45 graded and 15 ungraded)
Grades	To include a minimum of 30 pure science related credits. Overall 24 credits must be graded at Distinction and 21 credits a minimum of Merit.
Subjects	Pure science includes Biology and Mathematics related credits, excluding Sociology.
Additional credits	Any additional credits outside of the 60 credit diploma will not be accepted.
Additional information
You are required to have GCSEs in English Language and Maths alongside the Access Diploma as per the requirements outlined above. Students studying an Access Diploma need to provide a detailed transcript. All units must be verified by the local Open College Network (OCN). The Access course must be completed within the last 4 years.

Other qualifications

14-19 Diploma	Overall grade C in one of the following lines of learning, with an additional A2 Level in a science subject at grade C: Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering or Health, Society and Development.
Advanced GNVQ	AGNVQ Science at Distinction and Human Biology at A Level with a minimum grade B.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended National Diploma	DDM Must be in a science or healthcare subject.
BTEC Extended Certificate or BTEC Diploma	DM with a science A Level Subject: Healthcare-related subject and supplemented with an additional science A Level.
Irish Leaving Certificate	Six subjects at Higher Level, including 1 science at C1 or above. English, Maths and Biology at Ordinary Level at C3 or above.
Open University	90 units at level 1 and 2. Level 1: Exploring Science module, 60 units. Level 2: Any other science, social science or healthcare-based module, 30 units. If you do not have Maths GCSE A* to C, you will need to complete the Discovering Mathematics module, 30 units. All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry.
University of East Anglia	Certificate of Higher Education in Emergency Medical Care, two years, 120 credits.
Birkbeck College Certificate of Life Science	Pre-2017: Merit Post-2017: Minimum of 60%
Undergraduate science or health-related degree	2:2 honours degree awarded in the past five years.
Other	Please contact us.

English language

If English is not your first language and you are not a national of a country deemed by either the UK Home Office or St George’s, University of London to be ‘majority English speaking’ listed here, you will be required to meet the English Language requirements outlined below. Tests are valid for a period of two years.

GCSE / IGCSE

English Language Grade 6 / B or above.

IELTS

(International English Language Testing System)

7.0 overall (including 7.0 in Writing and component and a minimum score of 6.5 in the Speaking, Reading and Listening component)

You can take two attempts to achieve your IELTS qualification per year, and your test results are valid for two years.

Pearson's Test

Overall score of 67 (with at least 67 in Writing and at least 61 in your other 3 components).

Non-academic criteria

Work experience	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.
Personal Statement	Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the paramedic sciences, and an awareness of and interest in the potential career opportunities
Health and Police screening	Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox Enhanced Police Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service. Candidates accepted onto healthcare courses are required to pass an occupational health screening. When admitting candidates to study and practice 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 strongly advised to contact us prior to applying. All offers of places are made subject to satisfactory health clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations. Offer holders will be asked to be immunised against Hepatitis B for personal safety, and will receive a confidential health questionnaire and further information about the process of health screening if they firmly accept their offer. However, you may wish to contact your general practitioner (GP) to begin a course of Hepatitis B immunisation before you receive an offer, as it consists of three injections over a six month period. This course will include work with children and vulnerable adults so all applicants will be required to have an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. More information about this is sent to offer holders as part of the admissions process, but you can read more about DBS checks here.
Driving Licence	As a registered paramedic, you are not required to hold a driving licence. However, it will be easier to secure a job when you graduate if you do have a current driving license with no more than three points on it.
Professional registration	If you are a current healthcare professional or a member of a registered professional body, you must provide details of your registration. If you have had your professional registration suspended or revoked, or undergone a disciplinary/fitness to practice investigation, you will be required to provide further information if selected for interview. This will be reviewed by the admissions tutor and you may be required to provide full copies of related documentation. Any information you disclose will only be used for the purpose of considering your application to the applied course.

Voluntary and work experience

We do not specify a minimum amount of work experience and although you can use experiences from your past we always recommend that you include your most recent experience.

Modules covered throughout the three years of this course provide an introduction to the basic theories underpinning the health sciences, and specialist teaching in subjects related to paramedic science.

Practice placements form an integral part of the course and are completed in a range of ambulance and hospital clinical settings.

Once enrolled on the course, you can apply for student membership of the British Paramedic Association, the UK’s professional body for paramedics. This can be upgraded to full membership following graduation and registration with the Health Professions Council.

View all Close all

Year 1

	Modules/Placements
Taught	Science for Paramedics
Taught	Introduction to Paramedic Clinical Care
Taught	Applied Clinical Care for Paramedics
Taught	Paramedic Practice 1
Clinical	Ambulance and Clinical Placement plus Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

Year 2

	Modules/Placements
Taught	Applied Science for Paramedics
Taught	Paramedic Management of Acute and Critical Illness
Taught	Professional Practice 2
Taught	Assessment and Evaluation of Mental Health in the Pre-Hospital Setting
Clinical	Ambulance and Clinical Placement plus Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

Year 3

	Modules/Placements
Taught	Paramedic Approach and Management of Hospital Avoidance
Taught	Transition to Paramedic Practice
Taught	Evidenced-Based Practice for Paramedics
Taught	Paramedic Management of Minor Health Problems
Clinical	Ambulance and Clinical Placement plus Practice Assessment Document (PAD)

All successful candidates will be sent recommended reading as part of the offer, to provide some guidance prior to commencing the programme.

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

View all Close all

Teaching and learning methods

Modules are taught weekly throughout the academic year in sessions spread over two to four days a week. In addition to face-to-face learning, students 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.

Work-based placements across London are 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. These help students link the theoretical knowledge with your practical experiences, enabling the development of a high standard of patient care.

Assessing your progress

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.

Find out how this course is structured and assessed on the Unistats website

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 and expeditions. While the NHS employs the majority of paramedics, some also work in the private sector.

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. The majority of students will join an Ambulance Trust, however, some students may undertake roles in Urgent Care, as this is a developing area of practice.

Through the School of Paramedic Science you will be able to further your study with postgraduate education in a variety of topics.

Paramedic careers are hugely rewarding and form an integral part of the emergency healthcare workforce.

Covid-19 guidance

For information on applications, clearing, work experience and gap years, view our latest Covid-19 FAQs for prospective applicants.

Apply for this course through UCAS (the University and College Admissions Service) by 15 January in the year of entry. There are no upper age limits, so we welcome applications from mature students.

View all Close all

Application checklist

You must provide the following.

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). We recommend that you include in your personal statement a recognition that studying a BSc Physiotherapy will include practice and study in a number of settings.
An academic reference from your current or most recent institutions with predicted grades.

After submitting your application to UCAS:

if any subjects or predicted results are missing, email the admissions officer with your UCAS number and missing subjects and 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

We will send you an acknowledgement email and letter when we receive your application. Please make sure your email account is able to accept communications from St George’s as we will mainly communicate with you via email. Selected applicants will be invited to attend interview.

Decisions from St George’s will be entered onto UCAS Track and direct applicants will be contacted via email.

Duration

Three years, full time

Application Deadline

15 January 2020

UCAS Code

B781, institution code S49

Explore St George's

St George’s launches Coronavirus Action Fund to raise money for vital research

Our research impact

Covid-19 (Coronavirus) guidance

St George’s, University of London and St George’s Hospital lead country for coronavirus research

Paramedic Science

Highlights

Explore St George's

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Tuition fees

Register your interest for Clearing and Adjustment

Entry criteria: 2020

Voluntary and work experience

Health and police screening

Professional registration

Entry criteria: 2021

Covid-19 guidance

Apply now

Duration

Application Deadline

UCAS Code

Paramedic Science

Highlights

Explore St George's

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Government announces additional £5k support funding to students on Allied Health degrees

Tuition fees

Register your interest for Clearing and Adjustment

Entry criteria: 2020

Voluntary and work experience

Health and police screening

Professional registration

Entry criteria: 2021

Covid-19 guidance

Apply now

Duration

Application Deadline

UCAS Code

Related Courses

Paramedic Practice