Paramedic Science

A three-year degree qualification is, typically, 360 credits. Each 20 credits (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study. This is made up of a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study. Independent study is an important aspect of your degree course. The exact combination of study time will be detailed within your module descriptors, and will depend on your option choices.

Each year you’ll be based at the University and in practice placements across a wide geographical area. You’ll be observing practice, working under supervision and participating in practice at different times of the day and night, including weekends. So you get a broad range of practical experience, you may have to travel some distance to your clinical placement.

Learning is supported by an introduction to biomedical sciences and the legal aspects within professional practice.

You’ll develop your knowledge and clinical skills whilst completing modules addressing major trauma, paediatrics and obstetrics and the unwell adult. You’ll attend clinical placements within the NHS to apply your newly learned knowledge and skills. During your clinical placements, you will be supported and supervised by a clinical practice educator.

Later in the course, you will further enhance your clinical skills and decision-making abilities by completing modules that’ll support your transition into an accountable healthcare professional. You’ll complete modules in clinical decision making, leadership and research. Clinical placements, in a variety of settings, augment your final year. As before, you’ll continue to be supported and supervised during clinical practice placements by a clinical practice educator.

You’ll also be learning through lectures, practical skills-based training, seminars and group activities. You’ll use eLearn to access web-based information and materials.

You’ll be assessed on your theory and practice. Theory assessment is by essays, reports, case study analysis and examinations. Practical skills will be assessed using simulated clinical incidents and clinical examinations. Clinical practice will be assessed in practice by paramedics, nurses and doctors as appropriate. You must complete a practice assessment document and produce and maintain an e-portfolio.

Our student selection process is underpinned by the National Values Based Recruitment strategy. This means students must aspire to a high standard of excellence in professionalism consistent with the NHS values. These values are: working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives and everyone counts.  

As part of the course you will have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients and public members via our community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).