Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)
Course Code
UCAS Code: B950
International Code: HLSU222
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Start date
September 2023
The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.
Course overview
Study level: Undergraduate
Paramedics are at the frontline of patient care - working in dynamic environments and administering a range of often life-saving treatments to people suffering from traumatic injuries and/or medical problems.
- 7th for Paramedic Science in the Complete University Guide 2022.
- Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) enabling you to register as a paramedic upon successful completion (additional requirements and costs may apply).
- UK students will receive a payment of £5,000 a year through the NHS Learning Support Fund – this does not need to be paid back.
- State-of-the-art teaching facilities including mock ambulance, high-tech manikins, hospital wards, critical care settings, community housing and other real-life environments relevant to practice.

Global Ready
An international outlook, with global opportunities
Teaching excellence
Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
Employability
Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeedWhy you should study this course
Paramedics are often the first emergency service on the scene. They can administer a range of life-saving treatments and provide vital information to people suffering from traumatic injuries and/or medical problems. This course aims to prepare you for the challenges that come with providing emergency and urgent care to an ageing and diverse population in pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environments.
- This course uses Coventry University’s ‘learning through exploration’ approach, where simulation and hands-on learning aim to develop your knowledge and understanding of the specialty. This includes the opportunity to use our full-size ambulance replica, with high-tech medical equipment and lifelike training manikins that simulate real patients with life-threatening conditions and various medical conditions.
- Through a combination of university lecturers, our excellent simulation facilities and practice placements with West Midlands Ambulance Service*, we aim to develop the skills and knowledge you require to provide safe and effective paramedic care in a range of settings. In addition to the medical knowledge needed to treat a patient, we also aim to develop your higher-level communication skills, teamworking, clinical reasoning and understanding of healthcare systems. We will introduce you to the international approach perspective of paramedic practice, examining different approaches to paramedic care from around the world.
- Using scenario and simulation-based teaching techniques you should become an active participant in your own learning. This approach is designed to help you to put theory into context, with the chance to embed a deep understanding of paramedic science.
- You will have the opportunity to be taught by a highly skilled academic team with a wide range of clinical knowledge and expertise in the paramedic field. This wealth of experience includes expertise in specialist areas such as Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP), Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART), emergency midwifery, paediatrics, clinical operations and governance. The team has made contributions to the greater field of paramedic practice with conference presentations, book and journal publications relating to paramedic science and undertake key research projects into pre-hospital care. Please note that staff are subject to change.
- Another benefit of studying this course is our current long-standing collaboration with regional ambulance trusts who can provide opportunities for practice placement provision and mentorship*. Exposure to the clinical setting of a NHS ambulance trust is an essential part of your course and is designed to prove invaluable if you are considering future career options following graduation, for example as a registered paramedic (see Accreditation and Professional Recognition section).
- As part of your education journey, you will have the chance to use our bespoke classroom-based ambulance simulator, which will provide the opportunity to undertake realistic patient treatment scenarios and encompass an area of healthcare unique to the paramedic profession. The simulator should allow you to become familiar with the layout of an ambulance before you undertake clinical practice placements with a paramedic mentor*.
- Our clinical skills labs are equipped with a range of pre-hospital training equipment, Advanced Life Support manikins and equipment. We also have service-user volunteers who play the part of patients which aims to enhance scenario learning.
for Paramedic Science
Complete University Guide, 2022
Accreditation 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.
The Alison Gingell Building is home to the UK’s first stand-alone 5G network. Find out how we use this in teaching, including taking the students on a virtual journey through the body.
What you'll study
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.
How you'll learn
Alongside traditional classroom-based learning, the paramedic teaching team make use of digital and online technology. Different lectures and modules are delivered in person or via an online video conferencing platform. When teaching clinical skills, we use a 'flipped classroom' approach and aim to provide you with all the pre-learning needed prior to a session. This should allow 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, with the chance to use our high-fidelity manikins.
You will also undertake compulsory practice placements*, where you will be asked to respond to emergency calls and work in out-of-hospital settings, and treat real patients alongside registered paramedics and other health care professionals.
In a typical university-based teaching week you will have around 12 hours of interactive 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.
Assessment
The course uses a wide range of assessment methods, including written exams and assignments, portfolio completion, poster presentations, Objective Structured Clinical Skills Exams (OSCEs), group work and viva examinations.
Job ready
Our course is designed to prepare you personally and professionally for a successful career as a paramedic. You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical and academic skills which you will put into practice on your placements.
Using scenario and simulation-based teaching techniques will help you to put theory into context. Using the ambulance simulator, community houses and other facilities will provide the opportunity to undertake realistic patient treatment scenarios before you go onto your placements.
Exposure to the clinical setting of a NHS ambulance trust during your placements is an essential part of your course and is designed to prove invaluable if you are considering future career options following graduation, for example as a registered paramedic (see Accreditation and Professional Recognition section).
International experience opportunities
The paramedic teaching team understands the benefit of having international experience and exposure to ambulance and paramedic practice from around the world. Our team has current international links with universities offering paramedic programmes and where opportunities present to gain international exposure, our students will be invited to join us (additional costs may apply). With the UK being a multicultural society, this course aims to prepare you with the insight needed to deal with patients irrespective of race, nationality or ethnicity, upon graduation.
In addition to the course offering opportunities for 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.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Student | Full time | Part time |
---|---|---|
UK | TBC per year | Not available |
International | TBC per year | Not available |
A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 is available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about the Training Grant on The NHS Business Services Authority website.
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.
Course essential 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.
Facilities
Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

Ambulance
Learn in situations that mirror real-life scenarios with the use of a a mock ambulance, to help simulate the patient journey.

Mock hospital wards
Our mock hospital wards and critical care settings give you the chance to experience patient scenarios in a real-world environment.

Community houses
Learn how to work with patients outside of a hospital setting in our simulated, two full-size community homes, specifically built for teaching.
Careers and opportunities
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 past graduates have secured employment in the paramedic field even before they have completed their course. We work closely with different ambulance trusts and other healthcare providers and many of our graduates choose to secure employment with one of these placement providers when they graduate.
While most graduates initially choose to work in an NHS Ambulance Trust setting, the range of job opportunities available to a qualified paramedic is expanding. Careers available outside an NHS ambulance trust include careers within a hospital or doctors' practice, special events cover, forensic paramedics or even with a private ambulance service.
The university's Talent Team provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career options upon graduation.
How to apply
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UK Students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 can apply for this course through UCAS from 6 September 2022.
Part-time students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International Students
Full-time students applying to start in September 2023 should apply directly to the university. Applications are due to be open in June 2022, so please return to this page to fill out your application.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimer
1Accreditations
The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
2UK and international opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.
3Tuition fees
The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.
For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.
4Facilities
Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.