BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

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UCAS Code:
86G3
Institution:
B50

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Places available to study this September

We have greater flexibility with our entry requirements during Clearing, so let's talk about your future.

Call us on +44 (0)1202 966777 or apply online.

This course is now full for September 2020 entry. You may still apply, but your application will be held on a waiting list. We'll contact you if a space becomes available and your application is being considered. Discover our other Health & Social Care vacancies in Clearing.

If you’re looking for a worthwhile and rewarding career, then the role of Paramedic may be just what you are looking for!

At Bournemouth University, we aim to ensure that you are able to fulfil the role of a modern-day paramedic- ready for an ever-changing and evolving workforce. As well as providing emergency care for critically ill patients, you will develop advanced assessment and decision-making skills so you can decide the appropriate referral method for less seriously unwell patients.

Our three-year course features an equal spilt of theory and practical elements and you will have access to simulation suites within the university- during both taught and student-managed learning sessions. In addition, there are opportunities to undertake training and exercises at external locations across the region.

Our degree is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and you’ll undertake over 2,000 hours of placement over your three years, so you’ll register as a qualified practitioner once you graduate.

See Course details for more information, including how this course will be delivered safely in autumn 2020 in response to Covid-19.

New for 2020: Paramedic Science students on courses from September 2020 may be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant of at least £5,000 a year. Find out more information about the funding.

95% of our final year students said staff are good at explaining things, so join us on live chat now to find out more, or register to meet us at an Open Day.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

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Key information

Next start date:

September 2020, September 2021

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus

Duration:

3 years, including mandatory placements

Required subjects:

September 2020: Biology, Human Biology, Physical Education, Health Science, Life Science. See full entry requirements for September 2021 required subjects.

Entry requirements:

Places available to study this September

We have greater flexibility with our entry requirements during Clearing, so let's talk about your future.

Call us on +44 (0)1202 966777 or apply online.

International entry requirements:

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each of the 4 components or equivalent.

For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Approved/endorsed by:

Course details

On this course you will usually be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators and technicians.

Contact hours and assessment

Throughout the course, 50% of your time will be spent in theory-based classes and the rest of the time in a practice placement setting. This means that your study time at BU will be split between scheduled learning and teaching activities and guided independent learning, such as preparing for and writing up coursework assignments.

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 619kb)

September 2020 – course information

During your first semester (September to January), you’ll be taught on campus for one day a week for 5-weeks for the Patient Assessment Fundamentals unit.

The rest of your theory will be delivered online, using interactive platforms that will replicate the experience of being in a lecture theatre or seminar room. You’ll have opportunities to interact with your lecturer and fellow students just as you would have done in any other year. 

For the placement elements of your course, you will gain practical experience at your placement locality, which is allocated at the time of your offer. Your placement could include both community and clinical locations such as care homes, GP practices and hospitals. You will be assigned a tutor to support you during your practical experience. 

We hope to have a full programme of face-to-face sessions on campus for all courses from January if government guidelines permit. 

You will be able to use the Library, the Student Centre, Open Access Centre and social learning spaces, subject to physical distancing measures to undertake group and other work. 

There will be no other changes to the content of your course as a result of Covid-19; we will deliver all of the units we have previously promised we would, and we are not making any changes to the individual learning outcomes on your course.    

It’s important that you know these changes are temporary and that we will be back to our usual on-campus experience as soon as national guidance makes it possible.  

See our Coronavirus FAQs for the latest information from BU.  

This is the latest information, updated on 20 July. We will update this page when more information is available, and we can confirm any additional on-campus activity. 

Year 1

Core units

Anatomy, Physiology & Pharmacology for Paramedics: You’ll explore the principles of anatomy and physiology relating to the different body systems. In addition, you will gain an understanding of basic pharmacology and the effects of medications within paramedic practice.
Foundations for Professional Practice and Research: This is an inter-professional unit which is run with other healthcare disciplines within the University. Within this unit, you will begin to gain an understanding of the core values of the modern day healthcare professional. Also, you will explore the basic concepts around research and evidence based practice.
Patient Assessment Fundamentals: This unit aims to facilitate students in establishing the skills and attributes needed for patient assessment in the paramedic pre-hospital setting.
Emergency Care Fundamentals: This unit will introduce students to the core concepts of acute care in paramedic practice. It will allow you to explore some of the day to day decisions which paramedics may be faced with.
Paramedic Practice Portfolio 1: This is the practical unit of year 1. Within this unit, you will participate in professional practice within your designated ambulance trust-gaining an understanding of the skills, knowledge and professional expectations that underpin and provide the foundation to such practice. You will also be expected to reflect on your experiences.

Year 2

Core units

Developing Advanced Emergency Care: You will build on the knowledge and understanding acquired in year 1 to develop critical thinking, reflection and decision-making skills encountered in paramedic practice.
Research for Professional Practice: This unit aims to raise your awareness of a range of evidence and how it guides practice- you will be expected to build on your learning in year 1.
Pathophysiology and Pharmacology for Paramedics: This unit aims to develop your understanding of pathophysiological processes and how they affect the patients which we encounter- in addition, you will explore the management of these conditions and how pharmacological interventions play a major role within our professional scope.
Paramedic Practice Portfolio 2: This is a practical unit with an opportunity to gain experience in different areas of practice.
Management of Long Term Conditions: Within this unit you will consider many of the specialist patients seen in the pre-hospital environment. These specialist patients will include: elderly care including dementia and vulnerability, mental health, end of life and palliative care.

Year 3

Core units

Paramedic Care of Minor Illnesses: This unit aims to ensure you’re competent in the assessment, examination and treatment of patients with a variety of minor ailments. You will need to be able to demonstrate the knowledge you have gained in years 1 and 2.
Paramedic Care of Minor Injuries: You’ll assess, plan, implement and evaluate the total care and safe discharge of patients presenting with minor injuries with reference to evidence-based practice.
Team Working for Service Improvement: Within this unit, you will work with other year 3 healthcare students. You will be asked to reflect upon areas of professional practice or service delivery that need development.
Research for Paramedic Practice: This guided study unit allows you to develop a research question and review research literature in one specific area of paramedic practice.
Paramedic Practice Portfolio 3: The final practical unit of your programme. You will be expected to demonstrate evaluation and critical reasoning in practice placement competencies- ready for your professional registration as a paramedic.

How you will be assessed

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Facilities

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide practice simulation facilities, including an ambulance simulation suite, to mirror both clinical and community workplace settings and provide a safe environment.

We’re continuing to enhance our state-of-the-art facilities too – with a brand new, £48 million building currently under development, that will house our Health & Social Care courses.

Visit our facilities page to find out more – you can also take a 360° tour to get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Lansdowne Campus.

See our facilities

Placements

Ambulance placements will be undertaken across either the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) or South Central Ambulance Service and you will assigned to one of these trusts- we will attempt to place students based on their preferences but please note this is not always achievable due to numbers involved.

Placements are undertaken via shift-work where you will follow a shift pattern allowing you to work with paramedic mentoring staff- this will include night shifts, weekends and bank holidays.

In addition to these placement blocks, you'll also go on a number of specialist placements which may include: clinical theatres, maternity units, community midwives, paediatric settings and minor injury units.

Going on placement will involve travel to any of the locations across our region, in order to experience the full spectrum of clinical incidents Paramedics respond to in practice. It is essential for you to have transport available to make your journeys to and from placement throughout the entire degree. You may also like to consider arranging short-term accommodation in order to participate in some of the specialist placements.

Placement content

You'll experience placements in a variety of settings including emergency ambulances and rapid response vehicles, usually over a consolidated period of time which may span from four weeks in your first term to three months later in the course. You'll typically spend time at BU learning theory and practising skills and then go on placement where you’ll have the opportunity to apply the theory and skills you’ve learned, a process which will be repeated throughout the course.

While on placement your will be allocated a mentor, who will be your professional assessor, and you'll also have a personal tutor assigned to you who teaches on the course. You'll be expected to work the same shift pattern as your mentor, and you will be responsible for getting to and from your allocated placements.

What hours do you work?

Your application

Please note: this course is full for September 2020 entry. You may still apply, but your application will be held on a waiting list and you will be informed if there becomes space on the course and your application is being considered.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, predicted grades, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview/selection test.

Watch our video presentation for application and interview guidance for this course.

Background and experience

For Paramedic Science we are looking for applicants who:

Have a clear understanding of the profession, as well as the motivation and commitment to undertake the course
Have undertaken relevant work experience
Can demonstrate personal skills and qualities relevant to the course.

Applicants should have at least six months work experience before applying for this course within an ambulance, first response, care or healthcare environment. We can consider work experience from other environments, for example, lifeguarding, St John Ambulance or Red Cross in addition to other experience, in certain circumstances. We'll use this information to shortlist applicants so it must be evidenced clearly on your UCAS application form in the employment history section and in your personal statement. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team if you would like clarification on your eligibility for this course.

Our courses are built around the NHS’ constitution values, and when assessing your application we will take these values into consideration:

Working together for patients
Respect and dignity
Commitment to quality of care
Compassion
Improving lives
Everyone counts.

Find out more about the NHS Constitution principles.

IT skills

In the healthcare sector IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining patient records, accessing literature to client care and conducting clinically-related research. As a student you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address.

During the course you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments, to conduct literature searches, and to use client-related record systems in the clinical setting. Following instruction some of your study will be undertaken through web-based learning tools, for example by participating in online discussions.

Selection methods

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. We may ask you to provide a portfolio and/or take part in an online interview. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

What to expect at interview

Interviews take approximately half a day, starting either in the morning or the afternoon. A member of the faculty and the admissions team will register your attendance and welcome you to the interview day. This will be followed by a tour of the skills facilities and other key parts of the university, before being presented with an overview of all three years of the course by a member of the paramedic science team.

Multiple stations are set up to assess your suitability for this course of study; this includes a group work activity and multiple scenarios involving interaction with actors or service users, which will be observed by members of the faculty.

You can find further information about interviews with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences here.

Additional reference

In addition to the reference on your UCAS form, once we’ve received your application we will contact you to ask for a second reference; depending on the course you’ve applied for, this may be an academic reference, or from an employer or person who knows you in a professional capacity.

Find out more about interviews with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Find out more about interviews with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

Our offer making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Our Unconditional Offer Scheme (2020 entry)

Applicants who are predicted to achieve strong academic results will be eligible for BU’s Unconditional Offer Scheme in recognition of their academic performance and potential to succeed at university. You will receive an unconditional offer from BU if you are selected for the scheme - course selection measures and other entry criteria (i.e. required qualifications) apply.

We believe that unconditional offers reduce pressure on applicants who will continue to strive to achieve the best grades possible. Excellent grades become a part of applicants’ CVs and also support eligibility for our Academic Excellence scholarship - if you achieve AAA or above at A-level or equivalent, you’ll be automatically eligible for this award.

Visit our Unconditional Offer Scheme FAQ page

Applying for the final year

We have recently reviewed this course to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry. As the aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment methods may have changed as a result of the review, you can find relevant information for your year of entry in the appropriate programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 462kb)

Entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: 112 - 128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

Required subjects for September 2020:

A-Level: Biology, Human Biology, Physical Education, Health Science, Life Science
BTEC Extended Diploma: Applied Science (Depending on units - e.g. Biology, Physiology, Anatomy), Health & Social Care (from 2016), Health & Social Care (Health Studies) (from 2016), Sport & Exercise Science
Cambridge Technical Diploma or Extended Diploma: Health & Social Care
C&G Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Required Subjects for September 2021:

A-Level: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Biology, Health & Social Care, Human Biology, Physical Education, Life Science, Sport & Exercise Science
BTEC Extended Diploma: Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Health & Social Care, Sport & Exercise Science
Cambridge Technical Diploma or Extended Diploma: Health & Social Care
C&G Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 112 - 128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

Access to HE Diploma: 112 - 128 tariff points with any combination of graded Distinction, Merit, Pass grades including 15 level 3 credits in a required subject.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject.
Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 40 points from an A level in a required subject.
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 40 points from an A level in a required subject.
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 40 points from an A level in a required subject.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 112 - 128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 Principal Subjects, including 40 points in a required subject.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject (Health & Social Care).
Diploma: Distinction*, Distinction* (112 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject (Health & Social Care).
Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 40 points from an A level in a required subject.
Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 40 points from an A level in a required subject.

Extended Project Qualification: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 112 - 128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): An overall score of 30 - 32 points including grade H5 in a required subject.

Scottish Highers: 112 - 128 tariff points from Scottish Highers, including 40 points in a required subject.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 112 - 128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Non-academic requirements

Work experience

Applicants should have at least six months work experience before applying for this course within an ambulance, first response, care or healthcare environment. We can consider work experience from other environments, for example, lifeguarding, St John Ambulance or Red Cross in addition to other experience, in certain circumstances. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team if you would like clarification on your eligibility for this course.

Occupational Health (OH) Checks

This course is physically and mentally demanding and you will need to be mentally and physically able to undertake your chosen course. Places are offered subject to passing an OH check, and this will be carried out at the University Hospital Southampton. Health conditions need to be dealt with on an individual basis e.g. deafness, blindness, eczema (or other dermatological allergic reactions) on exposed areas, epilepsy, back problems, or mental health conditions, eating disorders and other disabilities. These do not automatically exclude you but please ensure that you fully disclose your condition to OH. The University can then consider the recommendations made by OH and whether reasonable adjustments can be made to support you on your chosen course. If you require more guidance please contact us for more information.

You will be required to provide a record of your immunity status or be vaccinated or have the required blood tests. Please see this table for the required immunisations. You may need to ask your GP or current OH department or find your childhood vaccination record for details of your past immunisation records. You should be aware that there may be charges made (for which you will be liable) relating to your gaining the appropriate immunity required prior to starting your training programme.

Refusing Immunisations

The University has an expectation that all students will comply with the vaccination programme. This ensures that you will be able to undertake the wide range of training placements that your course will require. Occasionally some vaccinations are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. OH will advise the University in these cases.The University will consider students on an individual basis. Refusal to have immunisations will result in the student not being allowed to attend practice placement and being withdrawn from the course. There is no opportunity to appeal against the requirements of the immunisation policy.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)

All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2020 and September 2021 entry:

Диплома за средно образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) or Диплома за средно специално образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Specialised Education). Minimum score of 4.5
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma with required scores (4,4,3 to 4,5,5. Minimum 4 in English required)
Italian Esame di Stato[AB1] with minimum 65%+
Spanish Curso de Orientaciòn Universitaria (COU) prior to 2009 or if you hold a Titulo De Bachillerato awarded from 2009 onwards with a minimum of 6.5/10+
USA High School Diploma with minimum GPA 3.0 plus SAT Reasoning (1200) or ACT (24-26). If there is a subject specific requirement SAT Subject (600) or AP (3-3) will be required.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2020 and September 2021 entry: IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

This course will prepare you for work in the fast-paced world of emergency care, giving you the skills you need to work as a paramedic. This is not the only career path open to you though, as you can also work in other areas of the healthcare sector, such as minor injuries units or GP surgeries, or even take your skills to the private sector, for example by working on an oil rig.

Typical job roles and industries

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our pages on funding support for healthcare courses. Our fees and funding section also includes information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer – including unlimited Academic Excellence Scholarships for UK, EU and International students.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be.

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Professional body accreditation of the course.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Occupational Health Services and checks. Please note that you will be charged if you do not attend Occupational Health appointments without giving appropriate notice.
A specific paramedic uniform is required for placements. Depending on where you do your placement, you may need to buy your own uniform from the placement provider. The approximate cost for this is £300 currently. You will not be able to check this until your placement is allocated.
One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick.
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity.
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and/or fieldwork and non-financial support whilst on placement.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme.
Disability and additional learning support.
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

1. Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses

2. Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.

3. Travel costs to and from the university campus (and occupational health referrals if required). An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation

4. Travel costs to and from your placement. Where possible, travel distance and time is considered as part of the placement allocation process to keep this to a minimum.

5. There may be an additional charge for replacement uniforms.

Repeat units

Funding for paramedic students (new for 2020)

Paramedic students on courses from September 2020 may be eligible for a government training grant of at least £5,000 a year, which you will not need to pay back. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students from September 2020.

Students will receive at least £5,000 a year, with further funding available for eligible students, including:

Parental Support allowance of £1,000, on top of the £1,000 already on offer.
Up to £1,000 specialist subject payment for subjects such as mental health nursing.
A regional incentive payment in areas of the country which have seen a decrease in people accepted on some nursing, midwifery and allied health courses.

Students will not need to apply for specialist subject or incentive payments as they will be automatically added to their account, if eligible.

This means that some students could be eligible for up to £8,000 per year, with everyone getting at least £5,000.

Find out more about the funding

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Iain Darby – Course Leader and Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Iain has worked in NHS Ambulance services for 16 years and gained a large body of experience in pre-hospital healthcare. During this time, he worked with a number of Paramedic students within this operational setting helping them to prepare them for their future careers.

Iain remains professionally active within the NHS and in addition joined BU as a Lecturer in Paramedic Science holding a number of teaching responsibilities and research interests.

View Iain Darby's staff profile

Peter Phillips – Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Peter graduated from BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science in 2009 and worked as a paramedic in London and Dorset. In 2013, he graduated as an Emergency Care Practitioner (Specialist Paramedic), delivering emergency and urgent care within an NHS Ambulance Service and Out-of-Hours GP Service.

Since 2014, Peter has been a full-time lecturer at Bournemouth University and is now joint programme lead of BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science with Alison Trinder. He has a wide range of both education and clinical research interests, and in 2016, commenced a PhD studying the nature of resilience in newly qualified paramedics.

Peter’s passion is in championing the paramedic profession and enabling BU graduates to make a positive impact upon the paramedic profession as a whole.

View Peter Phillips staff profile

Christoph Schroth – Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Christoph was born in Germany but spent 18 years in South Africa and one year in Namibia. His medical experience and education was mostly gained abroad, giving him a different and broadened perspective on healthcare in Europe, as a whole.

His teaching experience ranges from first aid to the public, to bodyguards, teaching Ambulance Technicians and other healthcare providers.

View Christoph Schroth's staff profile

Adam Bancroft – Lecturer (Academic) in Paramedic Science

Adam has worked in NHS Ambulance Services since 2002, starting his career in London and, moving to Hampshire in 2012 to work with South Central Ambulance Service. He professionally supported toward a Diploma in Health Emergency Planning in 2014 enabled part-time study at Coventry University where he was awarded an MSc Degree in Emergency Planning and Management in 2017.

Currently, has numerous teaching responsibilities at BU as a full-time lecturer since 2016 in the Paramedic Science team.

View Adam Bancroft's staff profile

Course changes

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
20/05/2019	Where the change was made: Course re-validation Change: Course overview, assessment, core units, contact hours, placement information Previous text: N/A

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
17/11/2017	Where the change was made: Fees Change: From September 2018 this course will no longer be funded by Health Education England so will need to be self funded. Previous text: It is currently unconfirmed as to whether tuition fees for September 2018 entry will be paid by Health Education England.
6/9/2017	Where the change was made: Key facts and 2018 entry requirements. Change: 2018 entry requirements have changed to 112 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 120-128 tariff points from 3 A-levels. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.
6/9/2017	Change: 2018 GCSE entry requirements have changed to This course requires GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Where the change was made: 2018 entry requirements. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.

What our students say

Josh Barker

I’m doing the course because I wanted to be part of an amazing profession that is unlike any other in the health service. Paramedics are autonomous clinicians and pre-hospital specialists when it comes to providing the right care to their patients.

What our staff say

Iain Darby

It’s a course that fits the modern day paramedic. We conduct training in our university simulation suites as well as training at external locations.

What our students say

David Tory

“The BU Paramedic Science degree course is both challenging and rewarding. I find myself fully engaged in placements and I am enjoying the course immensely.”

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

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Eloise shares her placement story as a student

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Read about Louise's decision to study Paramedic Science

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September 2020 – course information

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Iain Darby – Course Leader and Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Peter Phillips – Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Christoph Schroth – Lecturer in Paramedic Science

Adam Bancroft – Lecturer (Academic) in Paramedic Science

Course changes

Changes in 2019

Changes in 2017

What our students say

Josh Barker

What our staff say

Iain Darby

What our students say

David Tory