Overview
A Paramedic provides specialist care and essential treatment to patients of all ages in a variety of dynamic emergency and urgent healthcare settings. Very often the first emergency service and healthcare expert on scene, they can administer a range of life-saving treatments and provide vital information and support to people suffering from a variety of traumatic injuries and/or medical problems.
As a student Paramedic, this course aims to prepare you to face the challenges that come with providing emergency and urgent care to an ageing and diverse population in the pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environment. It is designed to enable you to become an effective, evidence-informed paramedic able and confident to deliver potentially life-saving treatment.
This course uses Coventry University’s ‘learning through exploration’ approach which uses simulation and hands-on learning to develop your knowledge and understanding. This includes the use of our replica ambulance, practicing extraction of patients from cars and using high-tech manikins which emulate real patient responses.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedTeaching Excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their fieldCourse essentials
A degree which offers you more, at no extra costAccreditation and Professional Recognition
This course is recognised and accredited by the following bodies:
Health and Care Professions Council
On successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a paramedic on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) professional register. It is a legal requirement that anyone who wishes to practice using a title protected by the Health Professions Order 2001 is on the HCPC Register. For more information please see the HCPC website. If the accreditation of this course changes, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Our Facilities
Mock Operating Theatre
Our Alison Gingell building includes a full-size mock operating theatre, containing scrub sinks and theatre lights. We also have a mock hospital ward so that we can study a complete patient pathway.
Ambulance
Our facilities include a mock ambulance, which students can use as part of their studies, to help simulate the patient journey. This gives students the opportunity to learn in situations that mirror real life scenarios.
Hospital Wards
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.
Course information
Through a combination of university-based learning, using our excellent simulation facilities and university-sourced placements with an ambulance service, successful completion of the course will enable you to develop the skills and knowledge required to provide safe an effective paramedic care in a range of environments.
In addition to medical knowledge you will also develop higher level communication skills, teamwork, clinical reasoning and an understanding of the factors which influence health. You will take an international approach, examining approaches to paramedic care from across the world.
Using scenario and simulation-based learning you will be an active participant in your learning. This approach helps you to put the theory in to context and embed your understanding of paramedic science.
Course Specification
Download PDF
Modules
In more detail...
You will have the opportunity to learn from an academic paramedic team with a wide range of clinical knowledge and expertise. This currently includes specialist experience of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP), Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), Emergency Midwifery care, Paediatrics and clinical operation and governance. The team have also made contributions to conferences, books and journals relating to paramedicine, and are undertaking research in key areas of pre-hospital care.
Another benefit of studying this course is our long-standing collaboration with Regional Ambulance Trusts who can provide opportunities to be provided with placement provision and mentorship. Exposure to the clinical environment within an NHS Ambulance Trust is an essential part of your course and will prove invaluable when you are applying for a position as a registered Paramedic.
As part of your education journey, you will have the chance to use our bespoke indoor ambulance simulator, which will provide the opportunity to undertake realistic patient treatment scenarios that encompass an area of healthcare unique to the paramedic profession. It will also allow you to become familiar with the layout of an ambulance before you undertake clinical training placements with a paramedic mentor.
Other features include:
- Access to a range of books and articles related to paramedic sciences
- Access to alternative clinical placement areas
- Clinical skills labs which are equipped with a range of pre-hospital training equipment
- Access to Advanced Life Support manikins and equipment
- Access to our bespoke Health Sciences building which features the furnished interiors of two houses for realistic training scenarios
- Service-user volunteers who play the part of patients to enhance scenario learning
- Lectures from specialists in their field across the Nursing and Mental health spectrum, all with experience and special interests in pre-hospital care
As this course has been validated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), on successful completion you can apply to register as a Paramedic (additional costs apply). This is a legal requirement to be able to call yourself a Paramedic and essential for employment in this role.
During your time at Coventry University, we will concentrate on a number of core areas. These include the communication skills and professionalism required of a Paramedic; developing a sound underpinning knowledge of anatomy, pathophysiology and pharmacology; and learning when and how to perform a range of clinical skills.
Your time will be spent establishing underpinning academic study and writing skills, as well as evolving skills relating to critical analysis and research. You will also undertake practice placements* where you will be assessing and treating real patients alongside registered Paramedics and other health care professionals.
All of this will be supported by evidence-informed practice and clinical decision-making tools which will be learned over the three years of the Course. This aims to prepare you to be ready for independent autonomous practice on completion.
* This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
Alongside traditional classroom-based learning, the Paramedic teaching team make use of digital and online technology. When teaching clinical skills, we use a 'flipped classroom' approach and provide you with pre-learning prior to a session. This allows for a more comprehensive use of your time here at the University; a proficient and productive learning experience with hands on exposure in a controlled simulated environment, using high-fidelity manikins.
You will also undertake compulsory practice placements where you will be responding to emergency calls and working in out-of-hospital settings, treating real patients alongside registered Paramedics and other health care professionals.
The course uses a wide range of assessment methods, from
- Written exams
- Written assignments
- Portfolio completion
- Poster presentations
- Objective Structured Clinical Skills Exams (OSCEs)
- Group work
On successful completion of this course you will be qualified to register as, and seek work as a paramedic.
In a typical week you will have around 12 hours of face-to-face teaching each week. Whilst on placement you will be required to work approximately 40 hours per week, which may be during evenings, nights and weekends in-line with the requirements of the paramedic role.
The Paramedic team has international experience and exposure to ambulance and Paramedic practice around the world. Our team is developing international links and there may be future opportunities for you to gain international exposure as a student Paramedic (additional costs may apply).With the UK being a multicultural society, this course prepares you with the insight to deal with patients irrespective of race, nationality or ethnicity.
In addition to the course offering insights into diversity issues, Coventry University itself offers a fascinating multicultural experience both in terms of the profile of its students and the local and regional community of ethnically diverse citizens who access healthcare and Paramedic services.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
Course essentials – Additional Costs
We will provide you with the uniform and personal protective equipment that you will need (including fluorescent jacket and rescue helmet), but you will need to purchase your own personal protective footwear for training purposes and for your practice placement areas.
You will need to meet the cost of travelling to and from the various emergency practice and non-emergency placement settings.
Course essentials at no extra cost
We're committed to communicating study costs clearly to make sure you're not faced with having to make any unexpected payments.
This is why our ‘Flying Start’ package provides you with a few course essentials. Your full-time fee for an undergraduate degree will cover the following:
UK field trips
Any mandatory site visits and trips within the United Kingdom.Key material
This can include core textbooks, software and equipment.Laser prints
1,000 A4 sides of black and white laser printing credits per year.Optional year
Pay no tuition fees for optional work placements or study abroad trips.This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
EU student fees
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals starting in the 2020/21 academic year must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
Coventry University is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market.
Paramedic graduates from Coventry University are much sought after by NHS Ambulance Trusts and the majority of our graduates have secured employment as a Paramedic even before they have completed their course. We work closely with Ambulance Trusts and partners and many of our graduates choose to secure employment with their placement provider.
While most graduates initially choose to work in an NHS Ambulance Trust, the range of opportunities for a Paramedic is expanding. Careers available outside the NHS include event cover, forensic paramedics and private ambulance services.
The university's Talent team, the careers and employability service provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career. The Talent team can help you to find suitable work placements and give you advice on how to get the most out of them.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
