Overview
Be the first on the scene to assess, treat and refer patients in an emergency. Every day is different in this exciting and challenging role.
Our Paramedic Science course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to become an autonomous, effective and safe paramedic. Our course reflects the rapidly evolving dimensions of the health and social care sector and the needs of the individual. It focuses on contemporary paramedic science practice and paramedics' highly responsible role when assessing and treating patients.
Clinical education is central to paramedic science and around 50% of your time will be on practice placements in both ambulance and non-ambulance practice settings to help you develop in your profession and apply theory to current practice. At times this will occur along side planned teaching, so for this to scheduled appropriately shifts and placements will be rostered.
We have strong working links with South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb), and you'll be spending most of your placement time working with professionals in this Trust. You'll also undertake some of your placement time working in the community, GP Practices and secondary care, so you are exposed to the whole patient journey.
You'll be immersed in paramedic science right through the course and supported by academics and professionals with vast experience. From developing your practical skills in our clinical simulation suites to being the first on the scene and assessing a patient's conditions, you'll be exposed to many different situations and will care for people in emergency and non-emergency situations.
Once successfully completed, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a paramedic.
Paramedic Science accreditations
College of Paramedics
Health & Care Professions Council
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Watch on YouTubeEntry requirements
Qualification type |
Grades |
| A Levels | BBC |
| BTEC | DMM |
| Access | 15 Distinctions and 30 Merits |
| International Baccalaureate | 29 Points |
| Combinations | A combination of qualifications totalling 112 UCAS points |
Mathematics and English language at GCSE grade C/4 or above.
Offers of a place can only be made after a successful interview, and are subject to a satisfactory reference, health clearance and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Health clearance will include vaccinations for NHS placements, and evidence of vaccination status may be required by placement providers or the university.
Find out more information about entry requirements.
If you have any questions about entry requirements for this course, please contact our Course Enquiry Team.
International students
Find more information on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) requirements on our website.
Depending which country you're from, there may be specific entry requirements. Check your country to see if this is applicable to you.
112
UCAS Points
Module information
Core/optional modules
How you’ll learn
You will be taught through lectures, seminars and practical workshops that include simulation, and you'll be putting all your theory and skills into practice while on clinical placements.
Seminars in smaller groups will enable you to discuss and understand topics covered in lectures. In addition, you'll meet with your personal academic tutor regularly to ensure you are progressing and on track to meet your full potential.
You will continue learning through self-study when not attending lectures, seminars, workshops, or other timetabled sessions. Typically, this involves reading journal articles and books, researching the library, working on projects, and preparing for coursework assignments/examinations, workshops and seminars. Your module tutor will direct you towards specific readings and activities to complete before class.
The team consists of highly qualified paramedics/academics, and we link with other HCPC and NMC registered staff to ensure access to specialists within the different professional groups.
The teaching team has a range of expertise and experience, with all staff holding or working towards a formal teaching qualification. Staff are research-active and have experience in delivering research-informed teaching.
A typical week in University may range from two to four contact days depending on the number of modules that you're covering at that time.
This is a full-time course, and therefore each week, you are expected to complete approximately 37.5 hours of learning. The overall workload can be demanding, and good time management and commitment are essential.
Owing to the varied nature of placements and specialist settings, you may need to travel to and from placements. These are mainly within Kent, Medway and East Sussex and London.
You will spend over 1500 hours in placements over the three-year course. We have autonomous shift booking, allowing flexibility to fit your other commitments. However, you may be required to attend at shift times during your placements, just like when you enter employment. You will be required to work full-time with different shift as per NHS working patterns. This ensures that you experience the full range of activities in your placements. Shift work includes weekends, bank holidays and night duty.
The last placement in the final year of the course is elective, so you can arrange work in the UK or abroad in negotiation with the course team.
Paramedic Science is about providing you with the skills and knowledge to provide urgent and emergency care to patients and developing you into a competent and confident clinician.
Julie WeirCourse Director, Paramedic Science
How you’ll be assessed
The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before completing the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module typically contains at least one piece of practice or 'formative' assessment for which you receive feedback from your tutor. There is a formal or 'summative' assessment at the end of each module. Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.
Practice placement assessments are undertaken with the support and supervision of practice assessors. All summative placement assessments must be passed to complete the course.
You must achieve a pass mark of 40 and above in all theoretical modules undertaken each year. Progression into subsequent years of the course cannot be undertaken until all academic and practical elements are achieved.
Your future career
Upon successfully completing your degree, you will be a safe and competent paramedic able to work alone or as part of a team, applying your professional judgement and being accountable for your decisions.
A wide range of career opportunities are available following registration, for example, specialist clinical practice in critical care or urgent care, management, education or research. Additionally, on successful completion of the course, there are opportunities within the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing to progress to postgraduate study to extend your abilities in paramedic science or research through a Masters in Research or Doctoral degree.
I have really enjoyed spending so much time on ambulance and specialist placements, such as airway management in theatres, maternity and paediatrics.
HannahFormer student
Fees
The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
| UK | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,535 | £15,500 |
Tuition fees for all courses are payable on an annual basis, except where stated. The fees represented here are for study with Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are looking to study at a partner institution, please visit their website for fees information.
Please read the 2025/26 Tuition Fee Statement for further information regarding tuition fees and year on year fee increases.
Home (UK) Fees
The Government has announced that it will increase the tuition fee cap by 3.1%, in line with inflation, for the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to parliamentary approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 our undergraduate home tuition fees are expected to be £9,535.
Overseas/International Fees
Undergraduate / PGCE tuition fees for international students are not set by the UK Government.
- Read advice about funding your degree
- See information about the financial support available for undergraduate studies
- If you would like information about paying your fees, please contact accounts.receivable@canterbury.ac.uk
- For specific fee queries, please contact fees@canterbury.ac.uk
Further entry requirements
Candidates must demonstrate a good understanding of the profession preferably through relevant experience. Student recruitment is undertaken by means of a Values Based Recruitment approach which is aligned with the values and behaviours expected by the NHS Constitution.
We have put together a guidance page to help you prepare for your remote interview.
Industry links
Our close work with South East Coast Ambulance Service allows our students to experience the work of paramedics and specialist paramedics who work out of Make-ready Centres, an initiative led by SECAmb. Alternative placement experiences within the primary, community and secondary sector are accessed through our partnerships with West Kent, East Kent and Medway Foundation Trusts.
While on placement, you'll be working under direct supervision alongside qualified practitioners. This will help you develop your knowledge and skills and build an understanding of the patient's journey and the work of others in their care.
Professional accreditation
The course is currently approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is subject to ongoing monitoring. On completion of the course and in preparation for registration, the Course Director must be satisfied that you meet the relevant statutory regulatory body fitness to practise criteria. You will be required to sign an annual declaration of ongoing fitness to practise at regular intervals during the course. The Faculty of Medicine, Health and Social Care has a fitness to practise policy and procedures which may be instigated should you demonstrate behaviour or conduct that falls short of that expected by the University and/or statutory regulatory body. For more details, visit www.canterbury.ac.uk/policies-procedures
To be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council you must demonstrate good health and good character throughout your studies and on completion. Applications for professional registration will be subject to satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and Occupational Health clearance.
Health Foundation Year
For candidates who have been successful at interview, but who are unable to subsequently meet the wider entry requirements, we may be able to offer you a four-year course which includes a foundation year.
The Health Foundation Year will prepare you for future study and will be the first year of a four-year degree, and if successfully completed, you will be able to progress on to your chosen degree.
Applications cannot be made directly to the Foundation Year and places are limited.
Find out more about the Health Foundation Year
Regulated by the Office for Students
The Office for Students (OfS) regulates Canterbury Christ Church University. The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education in England. It aims to ensure that every student, whatever their background, has a fulfilling experience of higher education that enriches their lives and careers. Further details about its work are available on the OfS website.
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Duration:
3 yearsUCAS code:
B780Location(s):
MedwayStudent life
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