Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Key features

• Our staff team comprises experienced and award-winning academics, HCPC registered paramedics and those with specialist knowledge and skills. (See ‘Meet the Team’). We also have a diverse range of specialist guest speakers to provide students with a broad and up-to-date understanding of paramedic practice within a diverse health and social care environment
• The staff team work closely with our Ambulance Trust practice partners, West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust (WMAS), to promote an excellent practice experience for students.
• The course also offers students a variety of alternative placements within a range of healthcare settings, working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, learning from and about other healthcare professionals.
• We also work with our service user and carer group IMPACT to enable students to learn from the people who use health and care services. IMPACT consists of carers of learning-disabled relatives, mental health survivors, people with long-term physical disabilities, care leavers, survivors of domestic abuse and people with dementia.
• A strong focus on clinical skills and simulation in safe environments prior to entering practice, enables students to feel confident to apply learning to practice, supported by our academic team and by mentors from the Ambulance Trust.
• The course explores not only clinical skills but also broader issues of professional practice, including, social, cultural, moral, legal and political facets of pre-hospital care, preparing you for a varied career as a paramedic.
• Upon successful completion of the course you will be eligible to apply for professional registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
• Opportunity to progress on to the MSc top-up degrees

Essential Information

We want all students to succeed and have a full and rewarding higher education experience. It is important to ensure potential students have a good balance between their academic qualifications and the demands of the programme. Therefore an interview will only be offered where the course team believe the applicant is sufficiently qualified, motivated and capable of completing their chosen pathway.

Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

The University of Worcester accepts a diverse range of qualifications to assist applicants in achieving entry to the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science as a condition to an offer of a place on the programme. In order to provide candidates with every opportunity to be successful the following list of qualifications, whilst not exhaustive, should help potential students demonstrate their ability to have prepared for higher education study.

Recruitment for this course considers not only the values of the specific profession you are wishing to join, but also the values of the wider NHS. You can expect to be shortlisted and interviewed based upon these values as well as course and profession specific requirements.

The following link can be used to support your knowledge of these areas prior to submission of your UCAS/application form or interview: NHS constitution values

Academic entry requirements

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade C/4 and above including English Language, Mathematics and Science. University of Worcester GCSE Maths and English equivalency tests are also accepted. Please note that Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English are not accepted.

And

• 120 UCAS tariff points or BBB. 120 points must be achieved in A2 subjects or equivalent, with at least 1 subject being a science subject from: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology, Psychology or Physical Education (P.E.).
• BTEC Extended National Diploma (Sport & Exercise Science, Health Science and Applied Science preferred) DDM. Other BTEC National Diplomas may be considered with AS or A2 Biology / Human Biology / PE. We will not be accepting Uniformed Public Service (or equivalent).
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 3A and 3B grades in 6 Higher Level papers at one sitting, including 2 science subjects of which one should be Biology.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma welcomed - 60 credits in total, with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3 - at least 24 credits at Distinction and the remainder at Merit, at least 15 of those in Biological Science related subjects. Preferred courses include Health and Social Care, Health Professionals or similar. At least 120 UCAS points must be achieved.
• University of Worcester Healthcare Foundation Year - with grade B grade average and a B grade in Science. Please note that successful completion of the UW Healthcare Foundation year will result in a guaranteed interview for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course, but the selection process follows a competitive process and a place on the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course is therefore not guaranteed.
• Other additional qualifications may be considered.

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.

The interview and admissions process will be the same for all applicants regardless of route and all applicants are subject to the course entry criteria

No offers will be made without Interview. Please note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview, or a place on the course. For full details please see the UCAS website.

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English and who are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency must ensure that it is, or is comparable to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5. (HCPC 2013)

Other requirements

Educational history

Please contact Admissions Team C for information, or clarification, regarding entry requirement: admissionsc@worc.ac.uk

Work experience

Applicants should ideally have some experience of working in a health or social care setting. This might include working for the NHS, private health and social care, voluntary aid societies such as St John Ambulance, British Red Cross etc,  or care/nursing homes for example (on a paid or voluntary basis). This will evidence that applicants have developed some knowledge, understanding and experience of health and social care, and the vital communication skills needed to work with people across the life course. Applicants with extended experience of working in a customer facing, service environment will also be considered.

Additionally, knowledge of the profession should be gained through attending University open days or careers events, talking to qualified Paramedics, reading professional publications or researching online. The following websites may provide a helpful starting point; the College of Paramedics and Health and Care Professions Council, and Step into the NHS and NHS Careers.

Driving licence

As it is not a requirement to be able to drive to practice as a paramedic (see ‘health’ above), holding a full driving licence is not a requirement for this course. A full driving licence with C1 is required for working as paramedic on the front line however, so applicants should note that they may be unable to secure employment as a paramedic where driving is required as part of that role.

Applicants should also note, that being able and willing to travel to the University of Worcester and to practice placements is a requirement. Practice placements are typically 12-hour shifts and this means you will need to be able to get to your practice placement at times when public transport may not be an option. We strongly recommend then, that you have a full driving licence and access to a car. We also strongly recommend that you gain the C1 provisional entitlement to your driving licence during the course to enhance your employability prospects.

Membership of professional body

The University of Worcester strongly recommend that all students join the College of Paramedics (COP). Joining this professional body will enable you to access a wide range of academic material that will enhance your learning. Additional benefits include clinical negligence insurance that may be necessary for practice learning in some non-NHS practice placements.

Other requirements

All offers are subject to satisfactory Health Clearance and an agreement to undergo appropriate blood tests and immunisations. All offers are also subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check which students are required to fund themselves.

Students will be required to sign a Code of Conduct and Fitness to Practice disclosure on commencement of the course.

Don't quite meet the entry requirements?

If you don't currently meet the entry requirements, or are returning to education, consider studying a Healthcare Professions Foundation Year.

Applying through UCAS

Paramedic Science BSc - B950

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.