Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes

Man putting a cannula in a ladies arm in an ambulance

Our Paramedic Science degree prepares you to work at the frontline of patient care. Paramedics work in dynamic environments and administer a range of often life-saving treatments to people suffering from traumatic injuries and/or medical problems.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS codes

HU11

Start date

September 2025
January 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Paramedics are often the first emergency service on the scene but also work in a multitude of settings including GP surgeries and the community. This course aims to prepare you for the challenges of providing emergency and urgent care to a diverse population in pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environments.

Successful completion means you can apply for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Paramedic (please see Accreditation section for more information).
Develop the skills and medical knowledge needed to provide safe and effective paramedic care.
Learn to thrive in dynamic health and care environments and multidisciplinary teams, developing clinical reasoning, relationship and teamworking skills alongside your understanding of healthcare systems.
Focus on one academic module at a time, with five weeks of learning followed by one week of assessment per module.
Hands-on experience through practice-based learning includes simulated learning and placement opportunities across the NHS to help you decide the direction of your future career^2,5.
All eligible students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs⁶.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Our approach supports you to develop a strong sense of professional identity as a paramedic from the outset.
You’ll be encouraged to develop digital fluency and think critically about the use of technology and the future direction of the profession as it changes.
We introduce you to international perspectives of paramedic practice, examining different approaches to paramedic care from around the world.
Opportunities for international experiences, including collaborative online projects with students from other universities abroad².
Access to success coaches, placement supervisors and specialist support for mathematics and academic writing⁴.

Studying in the School of Health and Care

Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.

While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as a paramedic from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.

No 10

No. 10 for Paramedic Science

The Complete University Guide 2025

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is recognised and accredited¹ by the following bodies:

Health and Care Professions Council

The degree is currently accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)¹. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025-26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible. This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement of our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

What you'll study

Modules

Foundation Paramedic Skills and Patient Assessment - 20 credits

As a student paramedic you will be required to employ a wide range of clinical skills in a dynamic and changing environment. You will be responsible for maintaining your safety and others through the application of danger recognition and active scene management. This module introduces you to a wide range of clinical skills that form the foundation of practice. Through this module you will become familiar with operating paramedic equipment, conducting paramedic procedures, and performing clinical techniques.

Compulsory

Introduction to Medical Emergencies - 20 credits

This module aims to enable you to develop a fundamental understanding of the key, life-threatening and time-critical medical emergencies common to paramedic practice across an age span of the population. This module will give you the underpinning knowledge that is relevant to the anatomy and pathophysiological concepts when managing medical emergencies. Participants will gather a fundamental understanding of the relevant pharmacological agents used in the management of medical emergencies by a paramedic.

Compulsory

Placement 1: Contextual Clinical Engagement - 20 credits

This module will expose you to a setting that will provide an opportunity to engage with service users and patient groups under the supervision of healthcare professionals in a clinical environment or similar setting^2,5. You are expected to interact and gather clinically relevant information from a service user under the supervision of established healthcare providers. This will include exposure to individuals who both directly and indirectly support healthcare and paramedic practice. Placements are sourced by the university.

Compulsory

Placement 2: Introduction to Paramedic Practice - 20 credits

This module allows you to experience a clinical, emergency medicine or urgent care setting as a supernumerary member of an ambulance team on practice placement (sourced by the university)^2,5. You will be exposed to a wide variety of clinical situations and will be required to take an active part in patient assessment and transport. The use of established skills to engage with a wide range of patient demographics to understand pre-hospital care loads including the diversity of the profession.

Compulsory

Becoming a Professional Practitioner - 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with the values, behaviours and actions essential for professional practice. We will support you to develop your personal and academic skills, providing you with opportunities to reflect on your knowledge, skills and values. We will work with you to foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration and valuing diversity to prepare you to work within multi-professional environments.

Compulsory

Evidence: Your Profession in a Global Context - 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and appreciate the role of evidence in both your profession and the wider health and care sector. The module supports you in understanding how your personal views and experiences may influence your thinking in developing your professional identity. This module will help you develop critical thinking skills by encouraging you to question, challenge and reflect. You'll learn to use evidence to build your approaches, making you a more inclusive, evidence-based practitioner.

Compulsory

Modules

Patient Assessment and Consultation - 20 credits

This module aims to develop your conceptual understanding of key medical conditions that are common to paramedic practice across an age span of a population. It aims to develop your understanding of the relevant anatomical and pathophysiological presentations, seen in a variety of medical conditions common to paramedic practice. As a paramedic student it is imperative to establish an analytical understanding of the relevant pharmacological interventions in the management of medical conditions.

Compulsory

Complex Patient Groups - 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a systemic understanding of the requirements to manage and treat patients presenting with complex medical conditions in an urgent and time-critical setting, common to paramedic practice. As part of the journey to becoming a paramedic, you will need to be ready to treat a wide variety of patient presentations. Some of these will include patients who have more complex treatment needs or those who have pre-existing conditions affecting everyday life.

Compulsory

Placement 3: Developing Paramedic Practice - 20 credits

This practice placement (sourced by the university) will continue your journey with ambulance placements expanded to differing clinical settings that require a paramedic to work alongside other allied healthcare professionals^2,5. You will begin to implement a vast range of skills and pathways for the betterment of your patients including the formulation and enacting of diagnosis. Patient-centred care will become the forefront of your mind as you learn through reflection and the development of therapeutic relationships with patients.

Compulsory

Assessment and Management of Trauma - 20 credits

This module aims to provide you with a systematic ability and understanding of the requirements to manage and treat patients presenting with injuries as a result of blunt or penetrating trauma. You will develop skills to manage and treat trauma patients in a time-critical manner. This module will expose you to incident response and the principles associated with incident management within the expanding world of global incident management. The importance of the patient in traumatic circumstances is stressed, including rapid transfer, identification of pre-terminal signs and supporting recovery.

Compulsory

Placement 4: Paramedics in Acute Settings - 20 credits

This practice placement introduces you to specialist areas and settings that require a clinician to provide a specialist treatment^2,5. These settings may require you to work in a supernumerary capacity with other allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) beyond paramedics. These AHPs will specialise in the management and treatment of trauma patients to highlight the importance of cohesive actions and management on the patient’s treatment journey.

Compulsory

Exploring Knowledge Through Curiosity - 20 credits

This module explores methods of enquiry utilised in daily practice. You will develop your ability to analyse the knowledge, theory and practice-based evidence within health and care. This module will explore how daily inquiry methods can be transformed into more systematic approaches to data collection and analysis. You'll learn about quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation and audit techniques. Through exploration and debate, you will develop an appreciation of interdisciplinary and profession-specific evidence and how to use this learning within the practice context.

Compulsory

Modules

Assessment and Management of Complex Care - 20 credits

In this module, you will analyse the current delivery of urgent care and the influence paramedic practice can have on delivery. It aims to analyse the paramedic management of minor illness and injury presenting in paramedic practice. You will aim to gain a better understanding of the holistic care and inter-professional approach needed in the delivery of urgent care.

Compulsory

Placement 5: Paramedics in the Community - 20 credits

This module introduces you to practice placement environments that don’t involve the conveyance of a patient, but provide alternative clinical care to a service user in a non-urgent setting^2,5. The module relies on knowledge and content taught previously, as well as advanced content and skills learned in your final year. It allows you to draw on knowledge from previous modules centred around complex care cases, trauma, acute medical illness, mental health, safeguarding and more. This placement (sourced by the university) focuses on the changing role of the paramedic, allowing you to experience a different perspective within the wider healthcare system.

Compulsory

Transition to Paramedic Practice - 20 credits

This module critically reviews the accountability and responsibility of the registered paramedic. It explores key attributes of autonomous practice and additionally includes a review of reporting concerns, personal resilience, risk management, fitness to practice and continuous professional development. This module is broadly intended to prepare you for professional employment. As such it includes a reflection of time spent in the pre-hospital environment and your own exposure to the care you have provided, and will continue to do so at the point of registration and employment.

Compulsory

Placement 6: Consolidation of Paramedic Practice - 20 credits

This module aims to prepare you for future employment across various sectors of healthcare industry^2,5. You will undertake a practice placement (sourced by the university) to help prepare you for employment in the workplace after graduation. This will be a cumulative implementation of all paramedic experience, skills and knowledge you have achieved over the three years on the course.

Compulsory

Leading for the Future as a Health and Care Professional - 20 credits

Our health and care workforce is required to lead the delivery of high-quality care, whilst navigating a complex health and social care ecosystem. This module fosters confident and accountable leadership through an interprofessional learning experience. By collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds, you'll gain fresh perspectives and analyse contemporary theory, practice and evidence to redefine leadership for yourself. The module will foster your development as a reflective leader.

Compulsory

The Evidence-based Practitioner: Professional Project - 20 credits

In this module, you'll learn to critically evaluate, interpret and apply the latest national and international research to improve care. You'll gain the skills to analyse, safely use and share these findings, ultimately shaping best practices in your field. This module should also equip you with the skills to conduct an independent study. We'll support you as you develop your research and communication abilities, empowering you to share your findings with healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:

on-campus lectures, seminars and workshops
group work
self-directed learning
Virtual Simulated Placements
practical-based learning^2,5.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20-credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Practice-based learning:

Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to University staff but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the course of 1012 hours. These will be gained from a combination of placement and simulated learning and will need to be completed over the course of your degree. Practice-based learning may take place during evenings, nights and weekends in line with the requirements of the paramedic role.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

coursework
practice placement^2,5
formal examinations
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

We will introduce you to international perspectives of paramedic practice, examining different approaches to paramedic care from around the world. You may also have the opportunity to collaborate on projects with students from other universities abroad as part of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects².

Mum of two preparing to graduate as paramedic

Gemma White is fulfilling her lifelong ambition of becoming a paramedic after returning to education at the age of 37. Now in her third year on Coventry University’s paramedic science course, Gemma is on the final stretch to seeing that dream become a reality.

Gemma White in her green paramedic uniform inside Coventry University's replica ambulance.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC to include one from Biology, Physical Education, Psychology, Applied Science, Chemistry, Physics. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE	GCSE maths, English and two sciences at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC	DMM in a Health-based subject.
IB Diploma	27 points
Access to HE	The Access to HE Diploma in a Health or Science subject to include 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Additional requirements

Applicants will be required to attend an interview subject to meeting the academic entry requirements. In line with the National Health Service constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

You are not required to hold a C1 driving licence as part of the entry requirement for this programme, although it is recommended that you work towards achieving this during the course.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section⁵.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional requirements

Applicants will be required to attend an online interview subject to meeting the academic entry requirements. In line with the National Health Service constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

You are not required to hold a C1 driving licence as part of the entry requirement for this programme, although it is recommended that you work towards achieving this during the course.

Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section⁵.

English language requirements

Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS of 7.0 overall (with no component part lower than 6.5).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Not available
EU	£9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary £16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£16,800 per year	Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible students for each year of study⁶. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.

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.

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 UK (home) students, if Parliament permits 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.

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.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

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.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

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.

Our clinical skills labs are equipped with a range of pre-hospital training equipment, Advanced Life Support (ALS) manikins and equipment. We may also work with service-user volunteers who play the part of patients to enhance the realism and help with scenario learning.

Ambulance

Our ambulance simulator provides the opportunity to undertake realistic patient treatment scenarios that encompass an area of healthcare unique to the paramedic profession. The simulator is intended to help you become familiar with the layout of an ambulance before you undertake clinical practice placements with a paramedic mentor^2,5.

Students and a tutor with a manikin in the hospital ward

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.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

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^2,5 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.

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.

The university offers a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career options upon graduation.

Where our graduates work

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.

How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

International students

International codes:
SHCU011

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

ioadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

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 UK (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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2025/26. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

⁴Facilities

⁵Placements

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

⁶NHS payment

The rules may be subject to review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the future and as a result may change. Please therefore check the NHSBSA website for up-to-date information before applying.

Student Contract

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 current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. 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.