Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Becoming a paramedic offers the opportunity to provide critical medical care in emergencies, making a direct and positive impact on people’s lives. Explore Paramedic career is for you.

  Our teaching team is made up of a Professional lead and a number of academics who are experienced Paramedics or Specialist Paramedics working in pre-hospital and hospital settings. All of our Paramedic Science degree teaching staff have significant practice experience and qualifications in a variety of Masters level qualifications, with the majority having completed post-graduate certificates in Medical Education.

  Our Paramedical Science clinical skills suite, located at our Waterside Campus, has a purpose-built ambulance simulator, specialised equipment, manikins and a full range of paramedic patient management equipment and patient handling aids to assist students in their learning.

  Our paramedic science degree has a modular curriculum, ensuring that you are able to develop both academically and practically. This paramedic course combines practical placements with blended academic study in each term.

  Placements can be in ambulance service work areas such as emergency ambulances, response cars, or in specialist roles such as paramedic practitioners. Other practice areas include experience in theatre departments/anaesthetics, A&E, maternity, minor injury/minor illness, coronary care and paediatrics.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 23/24. The modules relating to the academic year 24/25 will be available from June 2024.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Fundamentals of Emergency Clinical Care (40 Credits)
      Module code: PSC1009

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide an underpinning of the key concepts and practice in Emergency care. This module will allow the student to develop clinical assessment and intervention skills using a range of equipment and technologies.
    • Biosciences 1 (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC1010

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will ensure students demonstrate a robust knowledge base of anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, increase their understanding of the impact of disease or injury and us this understanding to assess & treat the wide range of conditions they are faced with in their operational environment.This will be achieved by using selected disease processes and injury patterns that enable reinforcement of basic anatomical and physiological principles as well as exploring the various pharmacological interventions that might be undertaken in practice.
    • Professional Studies for Paramedics (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSC1011

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of professional issues, related to paramedic practice, in order to provide care to a range of patients. It enables the student to view the patient from a more holistic perspective and develops their knowledge of a range of important areas to ensure safe, ethical, legal and socially aware practice. This module also introduces and develops reflective practice.
    • Paramedic Practice 1 (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC1012P

      Status: Compulsory
      This work based learning module provides the essential practice experiences that students require in terms of the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Standards of Proficiency (Paramedics).? To enable students to demonstrate an awareness of each of the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency 1 -15.8 inclusive.
  • Stage 2
    • Paramedic Clinical Care (40 Credits)
      Module code: PSC2015

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will develop the student?s ability to assess and provide care to a range of patients, building on the content of PSC1009. It aims to develop student?s knowledge and understanding of paramedic clinical assessment and management, in order to manage a range of common clinical presentations encountered in out-of-hospital settings.
    • Biosciences 2 (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC2016

      Status: Compulsory
      The module will integrate the students understanding of disease, injury processes and pharmacological interventions and enable students to develop a safe and evidence based approach to management interventions (pharmacological and non-pharmacological), based on understanding and recognition of altered physiology. The student will be able to recognise common signs and symptoms and relate these to specific disease or patterns of injury.
    • Research Methods for Paramedic Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSC2017

      Status: Compulsory
      Health and social care professionals require a critical understanding of research and development to facilitate evidence-based practice. The Department of Health emphasises the need for research awareness in many recent publications on research and development as a foundation on which health and social care provision will be modernised. Critical knowledge of research is expected to develop within the context of enhanced awareness of research governance and a very clear understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities that pertain to all professionals whatever their level of involvement in research activity.This module will provide a foundation of knowledge of health and social care research and its application to developing innovative evidence based practice. Recent debates, e.g. mixed methodology and practitioner research will ensure a contemporary context in the module.
    • Paramedic Practice 2 (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC2018P

      Status: Compulsory
      This work based learning module provides the essential practice experiences that students require in terms of the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Standards of Proficiency (Paramedics).? To enable students to demonstrate an awareness of each of the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency 1 -15.8 inclusive.
  • Stage 3
    • Enhanced Clinical Care (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC3016

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to comprehensively manage a range of clinical presentations in the out of hospital environment using leadership skills and principles of autonomous practice.
    • Contemporary Issues in Paramedic Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PSC3017

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will consolidate the knowledge, skills and understanding taught in earlier modules related to communication, team working, decision making and ethico-legal perspectives. It will incorporate the additional concepts of human factors, organisational culture and leadership, which overall will enable the student to prepare for safe professional practice as a registrant. It reflects the essential need for safe, effective and caring clinical practice, which is required to form the basis of health care.
    • Paramedic Practice 3 (30 Credits)
      Module code: PSC3018P

      Status: Compulsory
      This work based learning module provides the essential practice experiences that students require in terms of the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) Standards of Proficiency (Paramedics).? To enable students to demonstrate an awareness of each of the Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency 1 -15.8 inclusive.
    • Practice-Focused Research Project (40 Credits)
      Module code: PSC4003

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable the student to undertake evidence acquisition and interpretation (using published evidence), that allows them to explain the implications for practice (analysis and synthesis) and propose changes in practice (change management) by undertaking an independent, critical, analytical, in depth study of data on a selected topic which must be relevant to the student's professional discipline in order to identify implications for practice

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• Entry Requirements

  If you hold one of the following qualification you will be eligible to apply for the Paramedic Science degree:

  • BBC at A Level including a Science subject (Biology is desirable)
  • DDM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical  from courses in Science or Health subject areas
  • M at T Level in Biology, Science or Health related subject
  • Access course (must be health or science related) you will need to achieve 15 level 3 credits at distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit

  We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

  It is essential that you have a standard full UK driving license prior to starting the paramedical science course. The cost of this is your responsibility.

  In addition to the requirements above, you will need to have five or more GCSEs (or equivalents) at grade C/4 or above, including English, Mathematics and a Science subject.

  If you have relevant Urgent and Emergency Health Care experience and have a good knowledge of the role of the Paramedic then you are encouraged to apply for this course.

  Transferable skills relevant to Paramedic practice are essential with an excellent recommendation reference.

  All offers of a place on the paramedic science degree will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be conditional subject to:

  • a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • a satisfactory occupational health check, including evidence of required immunisations that includes vaccinations for exposed Prone Procedures (EPP) via the University of Northampton’s Occupational Health provider. Please refer to the department of health document used by occupational health providers.

  For more information on how to make an application for the Paramedic Science degree, please visit our How to Apply page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2024/25 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250

  Additional costs

  • Travel costs to and from placements, and extra costs associate with placements, may be incurred throughout your studies depending on where you are based.
  • It is essential that you have full UK driving license prior to starting the course.  You will need to cover the cost of the driving license.

  The NHS Learning Support Fund

  Students, studying nursing, midwifery and many of the allied health professions courses from September 2020, may be eligible for a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. They may be able to apply for Financial support at the university through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) which offers eligible students additional support while studying for their degree. This is in addition to the Student Loan from the Student Loans Company.

  Financial contribution towards your travel, and expenses in relation to your practice learning opportunities, may be available to you from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Details, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the NHS website.

  The information provided above is correct for the academic year 2023/24 but please check the NHS LSF website for full details, any changes and updates.

  Financial contribution towards your travel and expenses, in relation to your practice learning opportunities, may be available for you from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Details, including eligibility criteria, can be found on the NHS website.

  *The information provided above is correct for the academic year 2023/24 but please check the NHS LSF website for full details, any changes and updates.

  For more information about possible funding options for the paramedic science course, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Paramedic Science degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your paramedical science course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed on the Paramedic Science course?

  Throughout the paramedic science degree, we use a broad range of assessments , for example: range of essays, written exams, oral exams, presentations and practical (OSCE) exams.

  This is balanced through the years, so there is an even mix in each year and you must pass all the modules in the previous year to progress to the next.

  Which Driving qualification do I need for the Paramedic Science course?

  You are required to obtain a standard full UK driving license prior to starting the paramedic course. You will have an opportunity to complete the C1 driving theory qualification during your studies at the University of Northampton.

  What is the Code of Conduct?

  You will be expected to conduct yourself in line with the Code of Conduct relating to student paramedics registering with the Health and Care Professions Council.

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