Overview
Paramedics are vital to the health, safety and wellbeing of the nation.
If you’re ready to work at the frontline of the NHS, this BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science degree will prepare you for life as a registered paramedic.
What you'll experience
- Practise your skills on medical manikins and simulated patients safely and under expert supervision in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, one of the country’s leading healthcare teaching environments
- Gain more than 1,500 hours of practical experience on placement with real paramedic teams and in clinical settings, including community medicine, emergency departments, minor injuries units, maternity and critical care
- Get expert support from a personal mentor within the Ambulance Service
- Receive an induction, full uniform and PPE (personal protective equipment) from the NHS Trust you're assigned to
- Become eligible to register as a paramedic with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate
Careers and Opportunities
As the first healthcare providers on the scene in an emergency, paramedics have to take rapid action to save lives, often working alongside other first response teams like the police and the fire service.
A career as a paramedic is fast-paced and demanding, but also incredibly rewarding. As ambulance call-outs continue to rise, paramedics are needed in ambulance trusts nationwide – there were 783,050 incidents in June 2021, 80,000 more than in the same month two years ago.
On this Paramedic Science degree, you’ll master the complexities of acute pre-hospital care, and learn to assess patients and treat patients using life-saving equipment safely and effectively – in line with HCPC Standards of Proficiency.
At the end of the course, you'll be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for professional registration as a qualified paramedic in the public or private sector.
As a paramedic in the NHS in 2021, you'd begin your career on a Band 5 salary of £25,655 to £31,534, before moving up to Band 6 after two years in your role, which ranges from £32,306 to £39,027.
With more experience you could progress to become a consultant paramedic, making up to £75,874 (Band 8c).
Once you graduate, you’ll also be prepared for jobs in clinical settings like telephone triage services, helicopter emergency medical services, with ambulance trusts, or in special operations response.
Many graduates work in ambulance trusts – recent graduates have gone on to work for organisations including:
- South Central Ambulance Service
- London Ambulance Service
- South Western Ambulance Service Trust
- East of England Ambulance Service
- Welsh Ambulance Service
- North East Ambulance Service
You could also work in clinical settings such as:
- GP surgeries
- Primary and secondary healthcare
- Telephone triage services (such as NHS 111)
- Helicopter emergency services
- Special operations response
You can also continue your study at postgraduate level or take on a career in teaching, research or clinical management.
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
