Paramedic Science - BSc (Hons)
- UCAS Code: 7B23
- Level: Undergraduate
- Starting: September 2020
- Study mode: Full Time (3 years)
- Location: City South
Do you want to become a Paramedic? Our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree will develop your theoretical and clinical skills at university and on placement. Paramedics are highly competent health care professionals who work in a fast-paced environment to provide urgent and emergency care across a range of challenging situations.
Upon successful completion of this course, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
What's covered in the course?
To be a modern paramedic, you must overcome challenges, show initiative and demonstrate critically adaptive thinking, excellent communication skills and medical knowledge as the first point of contact in care provision for patients in stressful situations.
Becoming a professional modern Paramedic you'll need to be able to think critically, react appropriately in challenging and stressful situations, have effective communication skills and also have the knowledge and skills to deliver health care across the life span. You need to be able to do all of this whilst demonstrating empathy and care towards your patients and ensure your values and professional behaviour meet those required of HCPC to become a modern paramedic.
You will also become an effective member of the Paramedic profession by developing your medical and healthcare knowledge as well as clinical decision making skills and focusing on high quality patient centred health care. This will prepare you with the many possible career opportunities for the modern paramedic across settings such as clinical practice, education or research settings.
Where will I study?
You will study in our recently extended £71 million City South Campus, with access to cutting edge facilities and equipment that will enhance your skills learning. You will have access to advanced simulation facilities and environments that can re-create an emergency setting, allowing you to develop your hands-on skills right here on campus too. Our unique facilities are also useful to support you with any questions or queries before starting you real-life work placements.
See what our students say...
“Simulations at University use Sim Man; you can feel for pulses, it talks and breathes so you can treat it as an actual patient. It gives you more confidence when doing your first patient assessments.” Shaun Kemp
Why Choose Us?
- We’ve invested £71 million in our City South Campus - complete with immersive classrooms, an operating theatre, hospital wards and simulation facilities to give you real-life experience on campus
- Benefit from our clinical partnerships, such as the NHS and other medical institutions - this course offers the core skills of the discipline, and the encouragement to achieve your personal and professional goals
- High graduate employability rate - 100 per cent of students went on to work or further study within six months of graduating on an average starting salary of £23,400 (Unistats 2016/17)
- Clinical experience - you will spend a significant period of time gaining experience, building confidence and skills in clinical placements
- Get work experience abroad - you can apply for a travel scholarship as part of our Go Abroad scheme to carry out exciting work placements overseas
- Learn though a variety of teaching approaches, including simulations in our extensive skills facilities such as: S.P.A.C.E learning facility (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement), fold-away ambulance and breathing/talking mannequins to practice patient care
- Online learning technology available 24 hours a day via Virtual Case Creator (VCC) software, which recreates a range of virtual scenarios to experience the practicalities of patient operations, assessment and care
- Student loan finance - have you already studied an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second one in Paramedic Science? You may be eligible for funding
Open Days
Our next Open Day for this course will take place on Saturday 28 September 2019. Register your interest and we'll send an email update nearer the time. Visit us to see our facilities and speak to our staff and students.
Book your place
This course is not open to International students
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points. A typical offer would be BBB:
Essential Requirements
| Level 2 qualifications which must be achieved PRIOR to application for all applicants except Access Students (Please see Access entry requirements below): |
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| GCSE at Grade 4 (formerly C) or above in 5 subjects, must include English Language, Mathematics and one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Science double/triple award. Acceptable Science subjects GCSE Equivalents:
Acceptable English GCSE Equivalents:
Acceptable Maths GCSE Equivalents:
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Irish Leaving Certificate |
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Scottish qualifications |
| Plus one of the following Level three qualifications which you may be working towards: (Except Access students - please see entry requirements below) |
| GCE A/A2 Level 120 UCAS points from a maximum of three A/A2 Level passes, which must include one of Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Applied Science, Psychology or Social Science. A typical offer would be BBB. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted |
| GCE AS/A1 Level 120 UCAS points from a maximum of two AS/A1 Level passes, plus a maximum of two A/A2 Level passes at Grade C or above, which must include one of Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology or Social Science. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted. |
| GCE/AVCE Double Award in Health and Social Care 120 UCAS points from A* A* profile or combined with UCAS points from a maximum of one GCE A/A2 level. General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded. |
| BTEC National Certificate (NQF) in Health and Social Care Society, Public Services, Health and Development, Science or equivalents Acceptable only when combined one other Level 3 qualifications. |
| BTEC National Diploma (NQF) in Health and Social Care Society, Public Services, Health and Development, Science or equivalents 120 UCAS points from DDM profile. |
| BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Public Services, Health and Development, Science or equivalents 120 UCAS points from DDM profile. |
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BTEC Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Public Services, Health and Development, Science or equivalents Acceptable only when combined with one other Level 3 qualification. |
| BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) in Health and Social Care Society, Health and Development, Science or equivalents Acceptable only when combined with two other Level 3 qualifications. |
| City and Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma (1080) in Health and Social Care at Distinction. |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma Minimum Grade 28 points required. Acceptable on its own or combined with other Level 3 qualifications. |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced diploma Core plus combined other Level 3 qualifications. |
| CACHE Diploma in Childcare and Education Minimum Grade B required (120). |
| CACHE Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Minimum Grade B required (120). |
| The Open University K101 – An Introduction to Health and Social Care or equivalents Completion of full year (transcripts will be required). Acceptable with another Level 3 qualification. |
| Irish Leaving Certificate 120 UCAS points from a maximum of 5 Highers at Grade B2/H3 or above. |
| Scottish Qualifications – Advanced Highers 120 UCAS points from a maximum of 5 Advanced Highers at Grade C or above. |
| 14-19 DIPLOMAs in Society Health and Development To be achieved in Advanced Diploma or Progression Diploma 120 UCAS points from an A Grade. |
| OCR National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Science 120 UCAS points from an M1 Grade OCR National Diploma or National Certificate in Health and Social Care or Science Grade D. Acceptable only when combined with two other Level 3 qualifications. |
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Access to HE Diploma in a Health and Social Care Subject If an applicant is studying an Access qualification or has already achieved an acceptable Level 3+ qualification, but is missing an acceptable Level 2 qualification, then they will be asked to complete Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and/or English Language (as applicable) by the 31st July alongside the GCSE they are studying. |
| Foundation Degree Foundation degrees will be reviewed on an individual basis and will require a transcript of the content of the course. |
| Other qualifications: Applicants’ qualifications that are not listed will be considered on an individual basis. |
| International candidates: Those who meet residency/academic requirements of UK students but whose language is not English will need to hold IELTS with an overall score of at least 7.0. |
Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.
All candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows:
- Applicants are required to undertake an interview*
- Applicants must have evidence of care experience or customer facing experience
- Whilst not essential it would be beneficial for applicants to possess a full clean UK manual driver's licence and where possible have provisional C1 entitlement added to their licence. Prospective students should be aware that whilst a driving license and category C1 are not requirements for acceptance onto the programme you should be aware that to improve your employability prospects following completion of the programme these should be considered as essential.
- You must be physically fit and have the strength to lift and carry patients and equipment.
- You must be able and prepared to undertake shift work e.g. night duty, evenings, religious festivals and weekends.
- You must be prepared to travel to a variety of diverse and sometimes distant locations as part of your clinical experience.
- Evidence of good health and good character are required which are assessed by occupational health screening and Disclosure and Barring Service report .
- Candidates whose first language is not English are required to provide the original language test certificate to the Admissions Tutor as evidence of their proficiency and must ensure that it is, or is comparable to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5.
Claims by students who wish to APEL are approved by the Personal Development Department on an individual basis.
*Interviews - Candidates who are successfully short listed will be invited to attend a selection event. This will consist of a presentation from one of the Paramedic team; attendees will also be offered a tour of Birmingham City University facilities and opportunity to talk to current students.
UK or EU students
| Award | Start | Mode | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) | Sep 2020 | FT | 3 years | £9,250 per year | Apply via UCAS |
International Students
Sorry, this course is not available to international students.
The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Our advice for applying to a health care course
Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Additional costs
We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements.
The link below provides our estimate of the possible costs associated with key activities on specific courses. Please bear in mind that these are only estimates of costs based on past student experience and feedback. The actual costs to you could vary considerably (either greater or lower than these estimates) depending on your choices as you progress through the course. We set out where we can, based on experience, where these indicative costs are for activities that are optional or compulsory.
All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
Find additional costs for your course
Accommodation and living costs
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
Learning Support Fund
From 1 November 2017 you may be able to apply for elements of the learning support fund if:
- you are studying a pre-registration healthcare course
- are studying in England and
- your course started on or after 1 August 2017
Worried about personal statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Financial Support
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
Student loan finance - have you already studied an undergraduate degree but would like to do a second one in Paramedic Science? You may be eligible for funding.
Year One
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
Year Two
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
Year Three
In order to complete this course, you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits). |
This course gives you a balance of both the academic, evidence-based approach to health care but also the hands-on, real-world training you will need to enter this vital and fast-moving part of the health service.
In your first year, you'll be getting the fundamental knowledge and skills for paramedic practice, whilst your second and third years are about both developing and enhancing those skills to allow you work flexibly in various settings.
You'll learn via a carefully-designed mix of academic and clinical modules and a rolling series of practical placements, with a mixture of lectures and project work. The course is designed to help you become a capable, competent practitioner steeped in the ‘6 Cs’ values of the NHS Constitution and become employable after you graduate.
You'll also develop your research, leadership and clinical reasoning capabilities, while discovering the legal and ethical framework of today's healthcare culture.
You will spend time on placement as part of this course, we are currently exploring new and exciting opportunities for placements.
Additional support
If you are dyslexic, have a specific learning difference or a disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you.
More on our disability tutor >>
We offer extra technical and learning support.
Overseas opportunities
While there is no formal placement opportunity overseas; we'll support you find placements outside the UK if this is something you're interested in.
Some of our previous paramedic students have briefly studied in countries like Vietnam, for instance, while some students choose to get exposed to third world healthcare delivery via short trips to places such as Nepal, though these are not classed as part of your official training here.
Practise your skills in SPACE
Filled with state-of-the-art equipment, our SPACE (Skills Practice and Care Enhancement) area is the perfect place for you to practise a wide range of skills at your own pace.
Watch our video to see how access to SPACE has helped our students to succeed.
A Paramedic Student's Experience of SPACE
We've been able to chat to two of our Paramedic Science students about how SPACE has benefited them during their studies.
Enhancing your employability skills
We are committed to developing Paramedic professionals who are capable of independent practice and also being members of interprofessional teams, while responding to the dynamic nature of professional practice.
After graduating from this undergraduate degree in Paramedic Science, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
The modern paramedic is faced with new challenges of working in a wide variety of situations traditionally staffed by other health professionals and our course reflects this changing picture. That means you'll be able to work in the NHS, as part of an ambulance crew, or in one of the many emerging roles; for example in a minor injuries unit.
The independent sector is also rapidly developing and actively seeks to employ HCPC paramedics; giving opportunities in areas across the UK and abroad. There is also a requirement for off shore installations and ships to have medics on board and UK paramedics are filling these posts and finding themselves working on oil platforms in the Middle East and ships ranging from pirate patrols to cruise ships.
If you want to stay closer to home, the TV and film industry, motorsport event and music festival organisers all have a need for paramedics to ensure that the crew and crowds remain safe and are well cared for in case of an emergency.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
BCU Graduate+
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
More about Graduate+
Graduate jobs
This course will enable you to work confidently and effectively in a wide variety of contexts. You might start your post-registration career in the health service, but you might also want to start a career in the military or with independent ambulance services.
Our alumni are enjoying stimulating and rewarding roles as a paramedic for organisations such as the NHS, military, private sector, abroad and in the lifeboat service.
100%...of students are in graduate level employment or full time study six months after graduating2016/17 DLHE Response
Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge learning facilities.
Take a virtual tour of our skills suites at Seacole
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include a mock operating theatre and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
Simulation Mannequins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct mannequins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
The SIM men and SIM baby mannequins are complete with software, which is used to replicate real symptoms, and are enhanced by the manipulation of for example blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM Man can also “talk” to the students which adds another dimension to their use in teaching clinical skills and in simulation exercises
Skills Practice and Care Enhancement facility
The SPACE (Skills Practice And Care Enhancement) learning facility lets you further practice the skills taught in class, at your own pace and convenience.
It is fully stocked with the specialist items and equipment needed for procedures such as taking blood pressure, giving an injection, abdominal examination of a pregnant woman and caring for ill babies in an incubator.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Meet our staff
Our teaching staff have extensive clinical and academic experience; including advanced practice and critical care which directly relates to your clinical development.
The dedicated paramedic team have not only worked in core areas of paramedic practice within the ambulance service, but also in advanced practice settings, emergency care and critical care - experience that they'll be able to share with you on the course.
We also have close ties with the College of Paramedic Practice, the professional body for the sector, and have a very active research culture.
James Graveson
Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
After gaining his initial foundation degree (distinction) in Paramedic Studies at Liverpool John Moore’s University in 2011, James began practicing as a registered Paramedic with the North West Ambulance. Since then he has practiced extensively in both rural and urban environments in one of the busiest trusts in the UK. In addition to his clinical duties he has adopted the role of a mentor and became an advocate for continuing higher education.
Whilst working full time as a Paramedic James continued with his own higher education to achieve a first class BSc (Hons) in 2013 and received award for consistent excellent academic achieved. At this time his passion for higher education and his special interests in anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, clinical examination and research grew.
James is now currently undertaking an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice and decided to change the direction of his career by moving into higher education as a full time lecturer in order to continue his scholarly activity and pursue his research interests.
Since starting as a lecturer James has taken on the role of placement and simulated learning lead and is working on a number of publications, a PhD proposal and qualifications in teaching.
Robert Stubbs
Senior lecturer Paramedic Science Clinical Lead
Rob has practiced as a registered paramedic in the Royal Air Force and Great Western Ambulance Service, working both within the United Kingdom and around the world. Worked on numerous occasions as part of the Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), he was selected to be a member of the both MERT and Battlefield Advanced Trauma Life Support training faculties.
Sharon Hardwick
Course leader / Senior Lecturer Dip HE Paramedic Science
Sharon has been a paramedic for over 20 years after starting her career with West Midlands Ambulance Service working in Coventry. In 2001 she became a clinical supervisor in what was Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service, where she supported and mentored newly qualified staff through their training period.