Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Courses
  • Paramedic Practice (Top-up) (Distance Learning) BSc(Hons)

Paramedic Practice (Top-up) (Distance Learning) BSc(Hons)

    • Apply now
    Undergraduate Open Days
    Undergraduate Open Days
    {{menu.previous.name}}
    {{menu.center.name}}
    {{menu.next.name}}

    Overview

    This course provides the opportunity for qualified paramedics to undertake a top-up degree through distance learning. It allows you to use your professional qualification and registration to APEL the first year of a degree programme. You will be required to undertake exercises where you will engage with the online materials in order to develop an understanding of advanced paramedic theories, as well as explore how these can impact on patient care.

    • The course was developed in consultation with local employers and provides the opportunity for paramedics to gain a post-registration degree related to their own professional area.
    • As this course is distance learning you are not required to attend the University and can study at a time that meets your own personal and professional commitments.
    • You will be taught by experts in this field who have experience in supporting online learning.
    • The modules on this course provide you with an opportunity to develop critical thinking skills in order to enhance your understanding of paramedic practice and be able to link this to evidence-based practice. They have been designed to assist the career enhancement, as they provide the opportunity to develop an understanding of and implement advanced paramedic theories.
    • The analytical skills developed on the course are ideal for practitioners who what to undertake extended clinical roles, management positions and for those interested in further academic work or research.

    The University has delivered top up degrees for several health professions for over 10 years. Practitioners who have completed the degree have employed the skills they developed on the course to enhance their careers. This course aims to prepare you for the next stage in your career and provides an opportunity for you to develop the academic skills required to develop your practice as well as implement changes.

    Key Information

    Entry requirements

    You must be a registered Paramedic, hold current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and be currently working within a critical care environment.

    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 7.0 overall with no element lower than 6.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our International Entry Requirements page.

    You must also have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and the ability to access and use online study guidance and support as this course is delivered through distance learning.

    Start dates

    22 September 2025

    Duration

    2 years part-time

    Course Detail

    Developing an Understanding of Research Processes and Methods (Distance Learning)

    This module provides you with the opportunity to evaluate and critically appraise published healthcare research, as well as develop an understanding of different designs, methods and approaches to research. Emphasis will be placed on utilising a structured systematic process of reviewing research that provides the necessary evidence to support and develop clinical practice. You'll evaluate and have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of published research within the context of ethical, national and local healthcare provision.

    Advancing Paramedic Practice (Distance Learning)

    This module provides the opportunity to advance your existing knowledge of patient care by exploring and analysing evidence based practice and current research, through detailed reviews of scenario based exercises. You will examine professional principles that impact on contemporary paramedic practice. You will develop an online learning log analysing strategies that enable enhanced performance within the care team. Integral to this process is the examination of your professional role and responsibilities in managing patient care.

    Research-Based Project (Distance Learning)

    You will examine an area of current practice under the supervision of a member of academic staff and submit a research based project which demonstrates an appreciation of the area of practice and research processes. The project design can have a variety of methodologies including literature review, audit, production of learning materials or a proposal for a future empirical study.

    Choose one of the following option modules:

    Leadership and Management in Health Professional Practice (Distance Learning)

    This module provides the opportunity to develop your understanding of leadership and management in healthcare practice. You will have the chance to explore legislation, understand how to lead teams and solve problems to promote high quality care. The module provides the opportunity to enhance the skills you already possess and further develop you as a capable, autonomous, accountable, and reflective practitioner using examples and scenarios from practice.

    Practice Education for Paramedics

    Practice based education is a critical component of the learning and development of the future paramedic and underpins their lifelong learning. It is a multi-faceted role which includes drawing on excellent interpersonal skills to teach, assess, facilitate and role model expert practice. This module prepares qualified paramedics to act as practice educators to students studying on pre-registration programmes of paramedic education approved by the HCPC, and newly qualified paramedics in their preceptorship period.

    Throughout the course you will be required to undertake guided study using the University’s virtual learning environment.

    Teaching on this course is delivered through lectures, group work, seminars, tutorials, online learning logs and distance learning. A variety of assessment methods will be utilised including negotiated learning contracts, reports, essays, research critiques and a project.

    As this is a distance learning course, the majority of interactions between you and the University will be via the internet and email. This means that you will need regular access to a computer with a broadband connection to the internet and an up-to-date web browser such as Firefox, Safari, Chrome or Internet Explorer. The University has a system called the Student Digital Driving Licence which will carry out a check of your computer to see if you have these.

    The module leaders will provide support through regular communications, using a variety of methods including online tutorials, discussion boards, emails and telephone conversations. The University has a system for online video seminars and tutorials via Microsoft Teams.

    The assessment methods used are varied and include a combination of coursework, including assignments and the development of learning logs where you can develop your understanding of research and professional responsibilities. Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks – unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available on request after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further 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 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. 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).

    University Campus
    University Library
    Inside the University's extensive library
    Student Central Building
    Relax with friends in the Campus Kitchen

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

    Discover the job roles our graduates are working in now.

    Careers advice

    Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can thrive.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    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.

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

    You may also be interested in...

    Critical Care PgCert

    Part-time

    Postgraduate

    Designed in conjunction with local healthcare employers, through the development of your knowledge and skills, this course provides you with the opportunity to enhance your critical care clinical practice.

    Find out more How to apply

    Urgent Care PgCert

    Part-time

    Postgraduate

    Enhance your practice through developing the theoretical and clinical skills required to assess, diagnose and manage patients presenting with minor illness or minor injuries within an health or social care setting.

    Find out more How to apply

    Emergency Care PgCert

    Part-time

    Postgraduate

    Enhance your emergency care clinical practice through the development of your knowledge and skills.

    Find out more How to apply
    View more courses