Paramedic Science (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

Start date

18 September 2023

25 March 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

Chat with our students

About the course

Reasons to study

You’ll be taught by an experienced team of paramedic lecturers and practitioners who are all currently working in practice.
You’ll gain real-world experience through work-based learning working as part of an emergency ambulance crew, as well as non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas.
You’ll hear first-hand experiences and viewpoints from guest lectures delivered by a comprehensive multidisciplinary network of healthcare professions.

Continue your career within the ambulance service whilst studying to become a paramedic. This apprenticeship course has been designed to enable Associate Ambulance Practitioners to become paramedics. The course provides an ideal opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and professional attributes to practice effectively as a paramedic working within a complex and changing environment.

This course is currently open to existing Yorkshire Ambulance Service staff who have successfully completed the Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) programme. Holding the AAP qualification will enable you to commence your studies in Year 2 of the course. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for registration as a paramedic.

The course provides the opportunity to develop:

Skilled clinical professionals who are able to assess and manage service users across an age spectrum, who are committed to collaboration in health and social care.
Resourceful and adaptable clinicians who are able to establish safe environments and incorporate the necessary practical skills.
Reflective practitioners who are committed to continuing professional development and life-long learning, with the ability to appraise and analyse research, understand evidenced-based practice and their role in enhancing future developments of paramedic practice.

Whilst undertaking the course, you’ll remain employed by Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The course will be split between work-based learning and off the job theoretical training delivered at the University. Off the job training will be delivered through a blended approach including lectures, seminars, group work, simulation and guided independent study. You’ll also have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who also helped to design the programme. Work-based learning provides training through practice, where you’ll work as part of an emergency ambulance crew supported by a team of experienced paramedics. You’ll also undertake non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas.

If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

Course detail

Year 1

Core modules:

Introduction to Patient Assessment and Management

This module introduces systematic patient assessment and provides the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge and skills required to manage patients within paramedic practice. It will assist you in gaining an understanding of medical conditions and traumatic presentations, as well as apply appropriate assessment and management. You’ll also have the chance to develop an understanding of normal and altered physiological measurements and changing dynamic decision making, as well as scope of practice in patient management.

Law, Policy and Ethics for Paramedics

This module provides you with the opportunity to gain an understanding of relevant legal and ethical principles within paramedic practice. You’ll be provided with an overview of applied law and ethics to paramedic practice and the application to healthcare delivery. You’ll learn about the professional attributes and conduct expected of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) with a practical focus on the application to practice. You’ll also be introduced to relevant policies and procedures underpinning practice, including code of conduct, information governance, social media and health and safety.

Non-technical Skills for Paramedics

You’ll have the opportunity to develop the non-technical skills paramedics require including patient centred care, experience, communication and teamwork. You’ll demonstrate professional and passionate behaviour to emergency and urgent care situations, exhibiting a positive attitude in helping to improve patient care/experience. You’ll also explore the importance of being committed to the quality and care of service users and significant others, as well as learn from successes and mistakes in line with the NHS Constitution.

Paramedic Care across the Lifespan

You’ll have the opportunity to gain introductory knowledge and understanding in order to be responsive and provide care to people of all ages. You’ll learn how to provide care to individuals in a compassionate and supporting manner, as well as to patients and significant others with acute and critical presentations. The module will also assist you in gaining an understanding of the different approaches and considerations relevant within paramedic practice whilst acting in the interest of service users at all times.

Work Based Learning 1

This module introduces you to the necessary skills required for contemporary paramedic practice. It will assist you in gaining and refining your skills to care for, monitor, manage and support service users and their families during clinical practice. This practical module provides the opportunity to learn and develop skills through simulated and paramedic practice placements with the ambulance service and other healthcare environments.

Year 2

Core modules:

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology

This module provides a systematic approach to anatomy and physiology of acute and critical illness. It will assist you to gain an understanding of human development across the age spectrum (conception to death). You’ll explore altered pathology and its relation to acute and critical illness and diseases, as well as be introduced to pharmacological principles and their application to therapeutic regimes.

Emergency Care

This module provides the opportunity to build your knowledge of acute and critical illness across the age spectrum. It will assist you to recognise emergency presentations and gain an understanding of how to provide effective emergency pharmacological therapy and intervention within emergency care. You’ll also learn how to formulate management plans and develop robust clinical decision making. Emphasis throughout the module will be placed on the holistic management of the individual to provide optimum care.

Patient Assessment and Management

You’ll have the opportunity to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake a systematic patient assessment. You’ll focus on current evidence informing approaches to patient encounters in unscheduled and emergency environments. You’ll learn clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to enable optimum patient care. The module will cover systematic history taking and clinical assessment to underpin clinical decision making and provide holistic care within an emergency setting.

Research and Evidence Based Practice

This module explores the application of research to paramedic practice. You’ll have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills of research methods, build critical appraisal skills and develop an understanding of evidence-based practice within health. You’ll demonstrate your understanding of the different types of research undertaken and where each is applicable. The module builds upon existing healthcare ethics, by exploring the ethical considerations within research. It will prepare you to undertake a study relevant to paramedic practice in Year 3.

Work Based Learning 2 (Degree Apprenticeship only)

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your clinical competence and the necessary qualities required in paramedic practice. This will include the skills you require to care for, monitor, manage and support service users and their families during clinical practice. This practical module builds on patient assessment and introduces clinical decision-making skills allowing you to refine your practice. By achieving this, you’ll emulate the professional attributes and conduct as expected of the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Within the practice element you'll undertake a defined range of competencies under direct or indirect supervision.

Year 3

Core modules:

Evidence Based Practice and Improvement

This module provides you with the opportunity to refine the research skills you have previously gained, enabling you to complete a systematic literature review. You’ll evidence learning through the application of improvement theories, and continue to demonstrate your understanding of research processes and how they apply to professional practice. The module enables you to align topical and contemporary professional issues to recognise and act on opportunities for improvement.

Integrated Urgent Care

This module provides the opportunity for you to advance your existing knowledge of urgent and unscheduled care. You’ll explore broader aspects of the contemporary paramedic role including values base practice, long term conditions and safety netting. You’ll critically analyse strategies that enable enhanced performance within the care team and reflect on the value to patients of understanding contemporary practice. Integral to this process is the examination of your professional role and responsibilities in managing patient care.

Minor Injury and Illness Care in the Community

The module aims to provide theoretical, clinically focused education around minor injuries and illness. You’ll have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in relation to the assessment, diagnosis and management of common presentations within paramedic practice. You’ll also be supported to demonstrate border principles of holistic care including health promotion, risk management and alternative care pathways. Lectures will focus on the evidence base whilst practical sessions will focus on the application within the paramedic sphere.

Transition to Paramedic Practice

You’ll have the opportunity to develop knowledge, appropriate attitudes and attributes for autonomous paramedic practice. You’ll explore the components of practice-based education that will allow you to successfully mentor, lead and develop others in practice. The module provides guidance and direction on matters that arise within practice supervision and explores your responsibilities and accountability as an autonomous professional. This will prepare you for the responsibilities of continued professional development and transition to practice as a newly qualified paramedic (NQP).

Work Based Learning 3

This module refines and consolidates contemporary paramedic practice. You’ll have the opportunity to advance to a sophisticated level of skill, preparing for transition into practice as an autonomous practitioner. You’ll comprehensively assess patients across the life spectrum by interpreting complex clinical data and manage their condition appropriately through intervention, pharmacology and non-technical skills. The module consolidates clinical decision making skills enabling you to lead within a simulated and practice environment.

You'll also be required to complete an End Point Assessment (EPA).

Teaching and assessment

Learning and teaching on this course will be delivered through a variety of methods including seminars, lectures, group work, practical experience, simulation, role play and computer based learning, for example quizzes, voting boards and forums. Your studies will be supported by the University's virtual learning environment. You’ll also complete work-based learning where you'll undertake practice placements both within the ambulance service and other health or social care environments. The blend of learning styles and environments though which you'll be taught are designed to create a high quality learning experience and provide diversity to allow you to actively engage in learning whilst providing realistic and effective preparation for progression into the paramedic profession.

Implementing the College of Paramedics (2017) recommendation of a spiral curriculum allows concepts to be revisited on a regular basis, at different levels of intensity and with variable emphasis to enable issues and themes to be explored in increasing depth and complexity. This facilitates knowledge, understanding and skills acquisition and the development of critical thinking, problem solving and reflective capacities essential for complex professional practice.

Modules are designed to embed transferable skills and to allow you to progressively increase your knowledge and confidence. Thus, the acquisition of practical skills and the confidence to perform academically and professionally is developed. Your choice in the development of your research ideas or improvement proposal encourages you to have greater engagement with and control over your learning and contribution to knowledge, as well as your professional practice.

Service user and carer engagement is embedded into the programme and some of the interactive classroom sessions will include input from patients/clients and individuals from the community. This will create authenticity and exploration of the emotional issues related to providing holistic, patient centred care. Anonymised patient stories in a variety of formats are also incorporated into teaching and learning, enabling a diversity, inclusion and a broader spectrum of patients, presentations and cultures.

The assessment methods on the course are varied and include a combination of coursework, practice/competency-based learning and examination including case-studies, presentations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and practical scenarios. The nature of the assessment varies from module to module, and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field. This includes report writing, critique, case presentation and oral presentation of clinical findings. Assessment is based upon work-based situations through case studies to facilitate reflection and testing skills of critical analysis.

Practice based education will feature throughout the course, as well as work-based learning. This includes a variety of placement opportunities, as well as time supernumerary with a Practice Educator (PEd) within the ambulance service. Apprentice paramedics will be required to complete a practice assessment document (PAD).

At the end of the course there is an End Point Assessment (EPA), which is integrated into the course and verified at the course assessment board. The purpose of the EPA is to assess the values, skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard to confirm that the apprentice is occupationally competent.

Teaching excellence

Triple proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2022). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.
We are joint first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 20 since 2008 (2022 data).
We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

Global Professional Award

At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive the Level 5 in Leadership and Management Award from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), meaning you’ll graduate from the University of Huddersfield with an internationally recognised professional qualification, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

*full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees

Entry requirements

To apply for this course Yorkshire Ambulance Service employees must:

Have Associate Ambulance Practitioner (AAP) Level 4.
Have a minimum of 2 years’ experience accident and emergency experience.
Have Level 2 qualification in Functional skills in both Maths and English (or equivalent).
Be compliant with all trust Statutory and Mandatory training.

All the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record. Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. A joint selection will be held between the University of Huddersfield and Yorkshire Ambulance Service. You must have approval from your operational line manager.

Offers will be subject to Occupational Health clearance and references from your employer. You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) completed within the 6 months prior to starting the course.

You need to be able to meet the physical demands of a variety of placement settings. As per Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2014) ‘Standards of Proficiency’, you must be able to ‘understand and be able to apply appropriate moving and handling techniques’. Having a disability should not be seen as a barrier to becoming a health and care professional. As such the University will consider reasonable adjustments, in line with any disclosed application. Further guidance relating to becoming a health and care professional is found in the HCPC (2015) ‘Health, disability and becoming a health and care professional’ guidance.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Placements

Work based learning is a compulsory element of the course and you’ll this will be mainly undertaken in blocks. As well as working as part of an emergency ambulance crew supported by a team of experienced paramedics, you’ll also undertake non-ambulance placements in a range of different clinical areas. These may include acute mental health, emergency departments, minor injuries and illness, maternity and theatres.

“The non-ambulance placements are insightful, inspiring and empowering. Its insightful to see behind the scenes in various settings. Its inspiring to watch multidisciplinary teams treating patients. Its also empowering as it provides background knowledge for when patients ask questions."

Darrel Bedford, Currently studying Paramedic Science (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

Facilities

Extrication simulation using carry chair.

Trauma assessment scenario, assessing pupils.

Breathing and pulse assessment during scenario.

Your career

Successful completion of the course and passing the End Point Assessment will provide the opportunity for learners to gain a BSc(Hons) in Paramedic Science, and eligibility to apply for entry to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register.

The role of the paramedic and the areas in which they work have become increasingly varied within clinical, management, education and research areas. The course provides the gateway to the profession and many future opportunities within Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Professional links and accreditations

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).

Whilst studying this course you're currently not required to register as a member with the HCPC, however you must follow their standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

Career support

We know you’re coming to university to undertake your course, meet new people and broaden your horizons. However, we also help you to focus on life after you have graduated to ensure that your hard work pays off and you achieve your ambition.

So while you’re here (and even after you graduate) the Careers and Employability Service offer professional help, support and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs and one-to-one guidance sessions. Find out more about the Service.

Professional links and accreditations
Career support

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS).

Whilst studying this course you're currently not required to register as a member with the HCPC, however you must follow their standards of conduct, performance and ethics.

Career support

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Support services will also be available from your Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

As this is an apprenticeship programme, this course will be funded by your employer through the Apprenticeship Levy.

Find out more information about the Apprenticeship Levy.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Fees and Finance

Tuition Fees - full-time

As this is an apprenticeship programme, this course will be funded by your employer through the Apprenticeship Levy.

Find out more information about the Apprenticeship Levy.

If you require further information please contact apprenticeships@hud.ac.uk

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

Equal opportunities

The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

Data protection

The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

Students’ Union membership

Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)

Study this exciting three year course, to develop the skills, knowledge and professional attributes required for the unique role of a paramedic.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate

Paramedic Science (Pre-Registration) MSc

Ready for a new challenge? Retrain as a paramedic with this two year pre-registration course specifically designed for those with a previous health related degree.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Postgraduate

View more courses

Start date

Duration

About the course

Reasons to study

Course detail

Introduction to Patient Assessment and Management

Law, Policy and Ethics for Paramedics

Non-technical Skills for Paramedics

Paramedic Care across the Lifespan

Work Based Learning 1

Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology

Emergency Care

Patient Assessment and Management

Research and Evidence Based Practice

Work Based Learning 2 (Degree Apprenticeship only)

Evidence Based Practice and Improvement

Integrated Urgent Care

Minor Injury and Illness Care in the Community

Transition to Paramedic Practice

Work Based Learning 3

Entry requirements

Placements

Facilities

Your career

Career support

Student support

Fees and Finance

Fees and Finance

Important information

Changes to a course you have applied for

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

Changes to option modules

Major changes

Termination of course

Equal opportunities

Data protection

Students’ Union membership

You may also be interested in...

Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)

Paramedic Science (Pre-Registration) MSc