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Paramedicine_01

Paramedic Science BSc (Hons)

Pursue a rewarding career by gaining the knowledge and expertise to become a highly skilled healthcare practitioner.

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Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

The Paramedic profession is at the forefront of providing high-quality urgent and emergency care to patients in a variety of dynamic and challenging environments, responding to a wide-range of clinical conditions from minor illness and injury to critical and/or life-threatening presentations.

DMU has over 50 years of experience delivering high-quality education to health care professionals. The Paramedicine academic team comprises two Associate Professors, an experienced team of Specialist Paramedics, Paramedics, and Nurse Practitioners working in pre-hospital, emergency and unscheduled care.

Our dedicated clinical skills facilities utilise state-of-the-art technology, and a full range of specialised equipment, high-fidelity manikins, and patient management equipment that mirror those found in practice, to support our students' learning. In addition to these facilities, DMU also has an on-site crime scene house and car, both of which are utilised as learning environments. The range of dedicated equipment and facilities provides an immersive and realistic simulation environment mimicking real-life scenarios.

The Paramedic Science programme employs a modular curriculum that enables each student to develop both clinically and academically applying these knowledge and skills in the practice environment. This is enhanced with placements with local Ambulance Service NHS Trusts, University Hospital Leicester, and the Leicester Partnership Trust.

During your practice placements, you will gain clinical experience during all three years of the course by working alongside Paramedics and Technicians on emergency ambulances and rapid response cars. Other practice areas such as A&E, maternity, paediatrics, coronary care, and minor injury/minor illness, provide wider exposure to consolidate and apply skills and knowledge. 

Key features

  • Strong links and integrated work placements with local NHS Trusts.
  • Eligibility to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council on completion of the degree, enabling employment opportunities in a wide range of clinical settings.
  • Study in our purpose-built clinical skills suites that provide an immersive and realistic simulation – part of a £12 million investment in our facilities.
  • Benefit from more than 50 years of teaching experience from a highly qualified and experienced academic team, the majority of whom are employed in clinical practice in pre-hospital, emergency or unscheduled care.
  • A dynamic modular curriculum provides a challenging and stimulating learning experience and allows for more time to engage with learning, regular multi-modal assessment, faster feedback, and a better study-life balance to enjoy other important aspects of university life.
  • We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading.

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  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: B780

Location: De Montfort University, Leicester UK, and on work-based placements normally in the East Midlands but this will be dependent on mentorship availability. Expected to work in both city and rural locations. 

Duration: Three years full-time.

Fees and funding: 

2025/26 fees: £9,535* per year 

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

From August 2020, all nursing, midwifery and many allied health professional degree students will receive at least £5,000 a year with up to £3,000 additional funding available.

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

Not available to international students

Entry criteria

GCSEs

  • Five GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths, English and Science. 

Passes in Functional Skills and Key Skills qualifications at level 2 in maths and English can be accepted as equivalents.

Plus one of the following:

A levels

  • A minimum of 128 UCAS points with one A Level Grade B or above in a natural science (Psychology accepted, but not Sociology). We do not accept General Studies or points achieved through dance or music exams.

T Level

  • Distinction in Healthcare Science (with an optional module in ‘Assisting with healthcare science' (not optical care services)

BTEC

  • Extended Diploma in Applied Science at DDM

Access course

  • Pass QAA Accredited Access to HE Diploma in Science or Access to HE Diploma in Medicine & Healthcare with 45 level 3 credits at Distinction.

GCSE English and Maths at grade C(4) are required as separate qualifications.

We will normally require students to have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

International Baccalaureate 28+ points

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 7 in all components when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Interview: Yes

The recruitment process for this course includes assessing applicants by the content of their personal statement and interview for the core values of the NHS constitution.

There is no fitness test, but you are expected to be able to lift, move and carry patients.

Professional conduct during the event will also contribute to the decision-making regarding an applicant’s application. Interviews are currently being conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams.

Work experience: Yes

Applicants are required to demonstrate relevant work experience. This would normally include experience from formal or informal employment, school or college work placements, voluntary work and other relevant life experiences. Merit is placed on either health based work experience of customer service experience (i.e. working with people).

Non-academic requirements

As well as academic requirements, you will also be required to meet and fulfil non-academic requirements which are stated below:

  • Self-Declaration Form clearance
  • Occupational Health clearance
  • Enhanced DBS disclosure clearance

You submit an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure application form before starting the course (if you are overseas you will also need to submit a criminal records certificate from your home country), which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

We strongly advise that you opt for the DBS update service as it is possible that future placement providers may request a recent DBS and not one from the start of the programme. If you decide not to opt for this service then you will have to pay for the DBS again if requested by your placement provided – the university will not cover this cost. 

You must meet and fulfil all non-academic requirements before 18 July 2025. Failure to meet this deadline may result in your offer being withdrawn.

 


Availability: This course has a limited number of places so that we can ensure a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for a place on an alternative course.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Accreditations

 

 

First Year

  • Foundations of Paramedic Practice 1
  • Professional Studies in Paramedicine
  • Foundations of Paramedic Practice 2
  • Problem based learning
  • Clinical practice placement 1

Second Year

  • Developing Paramedic Practice 1
  • Evidence based practice
  • Developing Paramedic Practice 2
  • Problem based learning
  • Clinical practice placement 2

Third Year

  • Dissertation
  • Urgent and Community Care
  • Special Circumstances
  • Clinical practice placement 3

See more detailed module information.


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

 

Teaching and assessments

The programme will be delivered using a combination of teaching techniques from traditional lectures, tutorials, and practical sessions to more innovative problem-based learning approaches and eLearning.

The teaching strategy includes lectures, workshops, seminars, practical skills labs, simulation, and tutorials to deliver core and advanced theoretical knowledge. Some modules will use a problem-based learning approach to explore case studies through both independent and team working. Theoretical knowledge will be expanded within simulation and practical sessions which will demonstrate good practice and provide opportunities to develop problem-solving, data analysis and presentation skills. 

You will complete blocks of clinical placements 37.5 hours per week (average) and blocks comprised of theory and independent learning hours up to an equivalent of 37.5 hours each week. This means some weeks you may complete more hours than others, typically following the work rota of your mentor on that placement.

Each student is supported by a designated personal tutor from the academic team throughout the programme, and an experienced Practice Educator whilst on placement.

Assessment

A range of assessment strategies are included throughout the programme to demonstrate the students' attainment of learning outcomes, and are designed to be appropriate to the competency and level of skill required.

Practice is assessed through the completion of a practice-based learning portfolio.

Theory is assessed via a combination of examinations and Observed Structured Clinical Exams. Coursework may include written assignments and oral presentations. Less formal on-line quizzes and tests will enable students to monitor their progress and understanding.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours in a typical week will depend to some extent on the modules you are studying. However, typically you will have up to 30 contact hours of teaching  comprising a combination of practical classes, workshops, seminars and traditional lectures.

Personal study: Students are expected to revise and develop their academic skills in extra-curricular time.

 

 

Academic expertise

The Paramedic academic team are all registered Paramedics, Specialist Paramedics or alternative allied health care professionals, the majority working in pre-hospital, emergency or unscheduled care environments. All are qualified or developing teachers. The teaching team also boasts 2 Associate Professors; one with over 4 decades of both clinical and academic experience and expertise, and the other is a highly qualified and experienced mental health, learning disability, and dementia specialist.

Accreditation

DMU has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the Paramedicine BSc (Hons) Degree. Having recently been reapproved with the HCPC, the programme is robust and up to date in line with the latest HCPC standards.  Accreditation of this degree programme signifies that the HCPC recognise the high standard of teaching quality, and would ensure that upon successful completion of the programme graduates are eligible to apply to register as a paramedic with the HCPC. The DMU Paramedic Science BSc programme is endorsed by the College of Paramedics. This demonstrates our commitment to the paramedic profession beyond the threshold required by the HCPC.

The healthcare teaching team have an excellent reputation and good links with the local NHS trust and other potential employers, which is beneficial when you are applying for jobs.

 

 

Facilities and features

Interagency working with other healthcare professions and uniformed services, provides you with opportunities to consolidate theory into practice.
Practical teaching sessions mirror real-life scenarios out in practice which can include factors such as small working space and the potential for risk to life.
Our dedicated clinical skills facilities utilise patient management equipment that are a replica of those you will use out in practice.
You will learn about time critical treatment in a range of emergency scenarios with actors depicting realistic injuries.
High-fidelity manikins and state of the art technology are incorporated in simulation teaching session to support your skills development and learning.

Click an image to learn more

Health and Life Sciences facilities

Substantial investment has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you expand your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom. 

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites. 

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff to ensure that you develop a precise and accurate practical ability in the clinical skills suites.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team

Placements

As part of this course, you will undertake compulsory work placements mostly in the NHS, working with a range of people to develop your clinical and professional skills. 

You will be placed with a local ambulance NHS trust within the East Midlands area. However, we will not be able to guarantee placement location, this will be dependent on mentorship availability. 

You will be expected to work in both city and rural locations, which means you must be able to get there using your own transport. Placements start early in the morning, with an average shift lasting for 12 hours, for example from 6am to 6pm, or through the night from 7pm to 7am.

Uniform and dress code policy

While on placement, students must adhere to the uniform and dress code policy of the placement provider. This includes acute and community-based placements, which are essential components for the completion of the course. NHS trusts and other placement providers have given careful consideration to cultural and religious needs relating to uniform policies/dress codes. 

These policies and codes have been developed in partnership with cultural and religious bodies to ensure that local and national infection control guidance is adhered to. While we always endeavour to accommodate individual needs, there are some areas where the need to fully comply with infection control guidance has overridden religious requirements.

Graduate careers

As an applied subject, our graduates usually progress on to careers within paramedicine, healthcare, education, or research settings. 

This course also provides graduates with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate study including areas such as Physician Associate Studies MSc.

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