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Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)

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    Overview

    Keen to make a difference to people’s lives? If you’re caring, an effective communicator, and you thrive in challenging environments where no two days are the same, our Paramedic Science BSc(Hons) course is for you.

    Paramedics are Allied Health Professionals who assess, treat, manage, refer, and discharge patients who require acute, chronic or specialist services across urgent and emergency care environments.

    Our three-year course, which was designed and written by qualified paramedics, provides theoretical, practical and placement learning opportunities across a range of practice environments.

    You’ll be taught by an experienced team of paramedic lecturers and practitioners who are currently working in practice. You’ll also hear from guest speakers, including a multidisciplinary network of healthcare professionals in other services, such as midwifery, mental health, and paediatric nursing. This approach will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to respond to a diverse range of patients across a variety of settings.

    This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS). Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC and practice as a Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP).

    Why study Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)

    The course will be responsive to local, regional, and national changes to emergency services and healthcare, to provide you with the most comprehensive skills and knowledge. It is designed to equip you with the skills and expertise to become a paramedic and provide care, on the frontline, to those who need it most.

    During your studies, you’ll discover a range of paramedic skills and concepts, and make the most of our established, strong relationship with the local Ambulance Trust, via career-enhancing practice placements.

    Plus, the University’s new Daphne Steele Building is now open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus. This allows our Paramedic Science BSc(Hons) students to benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.

    Students on this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.

    Not quite ready to start Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Paramedic Science.

    Entry requirements

    ABB at A Level including a relevant science subject (Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science or Physical Education), excluding General Studies and AS levels. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

    128 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including at least 40 points in a relevant science subject, (A Level Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science or Physical Education, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Health and Social Care, Applied Science or Sport and Exercise Science), excluding General Studies and AS levels. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

    Distinction in T Level in Health or Healthcare Science.

    DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science (must contain at least 40% externally examined assessment) or DDM in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science (must contain at least 40% externally examined assessment) or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (must contain at least 40% externally examined assessment).

    • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma / Level 3 Extended Diploma: Grade B.
    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above, 30 of which must be passed at Distinction and must include Distinctions in at least 21 credits in Biological Science.
    • 128 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications including a Biological Science at Higher Level at Grade 6.

    In addition you must have GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent Ofqual regulated qualification.

    If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

    You must have evidence of Health and/or Social Care experience. This may include employment or work experience where you have dealt with service users, their carers and significant others.

    Offers will be subject to an interview and references. You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration. We arrange these as part of the application process. You’ll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

    Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

    Please note 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. In addition to completing an application form, all applicants will be interviewed using values-based recruitment to ensure that the course is suitable for that particular student.

    You need to be able to meet the physical demands of a variety of placement settings. As per Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (2023) ‘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 International Entry Requirements page.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study.

    Course Detail

    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.

    Paramedic Skills 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.

    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.

    Paramedic Skills 2 (Paramedic Science 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 HCPC. Within the practice element you'll undertake a defined range of competencies under direct or indirect supervision.

    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.

    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.

    Paramedic Skills 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.

    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).

    This course has modules making up 360 credits over the 3 Years, with each credit being 10 hours of study (3600 hours in total). An average of approximately* 25% (3409 hours) of the study time on this course is spent with your tutor’s face to face or online in lectures, seminars and tutorials. The remainder of the time will be spent on independent study. Assessments takes place through a variety of coursework, practice/competency-based learning and examination including case-studies, reflections, presentations, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and practical scenarios.

    Subject to mode of study. *Based on current core modules.

    Calculated using data from the academic year 2024/25, as of November 2024.

    Teaching

    The teaching year for most courses normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Teaching on other courses including professional courses, postgraduate taught, research, distance learning and apprenticeship may have other start dates including January and May. All start dates can be found on each course page and term dates are also available. Students on a full-time course may have to attend every day of the week. Students who choose to study a full-time course on a part-time basis will generally attend modules at the same time as our full-time students. Timetables are normally available one month before registration.

    Our courses are taught at our University campus and you can expect that your lectures and seminars will be held face to face, except in cases of emergency or if specifically stated otherwise in the module description.

    Feedback

    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.

    Progression

    You may progress to the next stage of your course or research degree, subject to meeting University assessment criteria and professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    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).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) 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 a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, 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.

    Placements

    Practice education is an important and compulsory part of the course, so placements will be undertaken throughout the three years. You’ll required to complete 450 hours of practice placement for the paramedic skills modules in each year of the course.

    Both ambulance and non-ambulance placements will be undertaken providing you with exposure to a comprehensive and diverse number of experiences. Ambulance placements may include the Emergency Operations Centres, NHS 111, and other specialist roles within the ambulance service. Non-ambulance placements may include working in hospital and community settings including Accident and Emergency, medical assessment units, critical care, care homes, hospices and Labour/Birthing ward, as well as in acute elderly care and mental health. In year 2, placements include West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and Police.

    Please note that you may be required to travel for/during your placements.

    “The placements enjoyable. They provided the opportunity to put what we’ve learnt in lectures into practice, as well as develop our ‘patient centred care’ skills. They also enabled me to develop my confident and skills to become an efficient and effective paramedic.”

    Jane Colls, Paramedic Student photo

    Jane Colls, Currently Studying Paramedic Science BSc(Hons)

    High fidelity simbulance and equipment
    Simulation of cardiac arrests in confined spaces
    Practicing clinical skills inside the simbulance
    Simulated house with viewing facilities
    Technology simulates patient deterioration
    Peer-led assessment learning fosters collaboration
    Demonstrating the resuscitation of a patient
    Extrication simulation using carry chair.
    Trauma assessment scenario, assessing pupils.
    Breathing and pulse assessment during scenario.

    Discover more about the course

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    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.

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