STUDY

Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Emergency blue light
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: B950
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T-Level)
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: B950
Start date: September 2025
Duration: Three years full-time
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level) DMM (BTEC), Merit (T-Level)

Overview

This course enables you to become a highly competent paramedic, prepared for the out-of-hospital environment. It will enable you to develop the confident and competence to recognise, respond and adjust to the ever-changing healthcare practice environment while maintaining your professional knowledge, competence and confidence. 

The role of a paramedic involves complex decision-making. This course has been designed to allow you to gain a depth of specialist  knowledge, flexible clinical decision-making, and leadership skills to care for patients confidently and effectively. The course team acknowledge the need for public protection and to work in partnership to ensure you are fit for purpose and practice at the point of registration. 

Teaching takes place in the new Health and Wellbeing building which has a specifically designed paramedic learning space to enhance your learning experience. There are two new simulation areas which will improve your clinical skills through specially designed scenarios 

Delivered in partnership with Health Education East of England and East of England Ambulance Service Trust (EEAST) and dynamic, supportive and experience paramedics, this Paramedic Science degree not only prepares you for today’s profession, it will also advance your skills and knowledge. 

Further information about the University's relationship with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is available in the PSRB register.

INFORMATION FOR PARAMEDIC MENTORS AND PRACTICE EDUCATORS

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

1st

in the UK for graduate prospects in Paramedic Science

Complete University Guide 2024

11th

Ranked 11th in the UK for Social Inclusion

The Good University Guide 2023

6th

in the UK for spend on academic services

The Complete University Guide 2023

Course Modules

Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' — more information can be found on Why Suffolk?  You can also watch our Block and Blend video.   

The contemporary role of the paramedic involves complex decision-making. This BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme has been designed to allow you to gain competence, depth of specialist paramedic knowledge, flexible clinical decision-making, and leadership skills to care for patients confidently and effectively. The course team acknowledge the need for public protection and to work in partnership to ensure you are fit for purpose and practice at the point of registration. 

Our assessments vary in nature module to module, depending on learning outcomes, learning, and teaching strategies, and the type of the module. However, they include Practice Assessment Document, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), written assignments and examinations. 

Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

A student paramedic with syringe

This module aims to provide students with an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. The emphasis of this module will be based upon normal biological function. It will enable students to have a clearer understanding of anatomy and physiology and will therefore aid the development of problem-solving skills in practice.

The emphasis of this module will be on human structure, function and homeostasis as a basis for physiological health. The module aims to provide students with a sound knowledge base from which to build upon throughout the course.

The aims of this module are to provide students with a sound foundation on which to develop key transferable skills including communication; information technology; problem solving; numeracy; working with others; and, risk management and reflection. These skills will give the student confidence and raise their self-esteem enabling them to work and learn effectively within both the higher education and the workplace environments. It will also explore what it means to be a registered professional, and introduce the role of the student paramedic, exploring the physical, mental and practical applications of the role in preparation for practice.

The aims of this module are exploring the term ‘Reflection’ and its meaning within Paramedic practice. It will offer a sequential learning experience that enables students to build and develop knowledge skills and behaviours required to deliver evidence-based person-centred care. This will enable the students to start demonstrating professional values, understanding how dignity and respect influence patient interaction in accordance with their code of conduct. Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon their own strengths and weaknesses using well-established reflection tools.

The focus of this module is the development of the essential knowledge, skills and values-based attitudes necessary for the student paramedic to contribute to assessment of individual patients in a range of practice settings. Introducing the students to the fundamentals of paramedic practice this module will reflect the integration of theory and practice drawing upon case studies, a range of clinical simulation approaches and demonstration of clinical skills. Students will gain the fundamental skills of assessment that will enable them to identify normal and abnormal findings.

Successful patient assessment requires the student paramedic to apply theory and skills to the real life setting which the practice element of this module will enable them to achieve.

The module will use a systems-based approach to patient assessment enabling the student to focus on the care of an individual patient.

This module further develops the student by continuation of the assessment module. The module will provide necessary treatment options for a range of assessed illnesses that can be found in the paramedic practice setting. By introducing treatment options for patients being about patient centred care and care of the patient across the life span. Student will draw upon placement experience and understand the integration of theory to practice, this will be supported with clinical simulation and clinical skills demonstrations.

There is an increasing need to support those with mental health problems more effectively in times of crisis in line with government agendas to drive up the quality of service offered to those with mental health problems. The role of the paramedic and collaboration with other agencies is crucial in delivering compassionate multi-disciplinary holistic care. Clinical decision making in paramedic practice will be enhanced by understanding the psychosocial concepts that may affect the individual and their families who are experiencing mental distress.

This module will facilitate discussion, encourage debate and explore and challenge psychosocial issues that the student will encounter in practice. Issues relating to equality and diversity will also be addressed throughout.

The human body relies upon a series of anatomical and physiological processes in the maintenance of homeostasis. Understanding such processes is crucial for the Paramedic student in the understanding of pathophysiology and subsequent patient management.

The student will apply knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology and the pathophysiology of a range of major and minor illnesses/injuries and develop the ability to critically analyse approaches to clinical decisions. Building upon knowledge gained from Human Anatomy and Physiology in year 1 they will explore processes concerned with maintaining the body’s homeostatic balance and how these impact upon the pathophysiological processes of illness, disease, and trauma.

The student will continue to apply knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology and the pathophysiology of a range of major and minor illnesses/injuries and develop the ability to critically analyse approaches to clinical decisions.  Building upon knowledge gained from Human Anatomy and Physiology as well as Application of Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology 1 they will explore the aetiology, assessment, and management as well treatment options for a range of conditions.

The module will take a lifespan approach and as such the students will have the opportunity to explore common childhood conditions as well as paediatric trauma.

This module will build upon skills and knowledge gained during the year 1 module Patient Management; Care of the Individual and will develop the student’s ability to make clinical decisions for more complex cases. Students will develop the fundamental skills of assessment and management to identify signs and systems that will allow for differential diagnosis.

The student will build upon previous knowledge and value-based attitudes developing an analytical approach to disease, minor injuries, and trauma processes to develop appropriate treatment plans for the patient with co morbidities.

The module will develop further the student’s competence in the range of skills required for paramedic practice and will allow practice of these skills through simulation. The module will encourage the student to reflect upon their developing role as a practitioner, applying knowledge gained from the first and throughout the second year to their paramedic practice.

For the last decade enhancing the quality of care has been a driving force for the provision of all health care. The increasing emphasis on theoretically informed practice and supported by directives such as clinical governance requires paramedics to be able to reliably access, assess and implement appropriate research evidence. This ability demands an appreciation of research methods, concepts and applications that are consistent with the academic and professional requirements to develop both knowledge and skills.

The aim of this module is to extend the students’ knowledge and appreciation of research issues, from an examination and understanding of methodology and means of application, to an understanding of research in the broad context of paramedic practice. A range of health-related topics will be utilised to explore the content of this module.

This module will develop the students' understanding of the principles of pharmacology and the related legal and ethical issues. The module will explore cell biology, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and their relevance to health care practice. Service user issues relating to medicine therapy will be examined and the responsibilities of the paramedic in relation to these in the context of professional practice, underpinned by safe administration of medicines.

This module will enable the student to practice as an independent paramedic able to implement their own professional judgment in demanding and complex environments drawing on knowledge and skills gained throughout Patient Management: Care of the Individual, Patient Management: Priorities of care and through successful completion of years 1 and 2 Practice Assessment Documents. The student will demonstrate independent clinical judgment in their leadership, assessment and management skills.

At this stage of their development the student will have been exposed to many of the realities of paramedic practice. There are specialist areas and situations that, although encountered infrequently, remain an important aspect of paramedic practice and will be explored within this module.

 With a focus on current policies, research, evidence and professional debates relating to the scope of practice the student will work in partnership with other professions, building and sustaining relationships and recognising those principles and practices that will allow them to contribute or lead effectively.

 

This module will provide an opportunity for the student to produce an individual study project developed from an aspect of paramedic practice in which they are particularly interested. It will enable students to further develop skills acquired throughout the programme such as enquiry-based learning, problem solving, critical thinking and reflection. Using a problem-solving approach students will engage with the principles of the systematic literature review to further their understanding of the evidence base and its application to practice. The dissertation module will provide a mechanism by which students will be able to demonstrate autonomy and self-direction whilst undertaking a problem-solving exercise within a topic area of their choice relevant to paramedic practice.

 The module will build on previous study undertaken by students during Research Methods at level 5. Students will, therefore, already have the basic skills to undertake a literature search, review the literature and critically evaluate published research.

This module will explore the role of the registered paramedic by enhancing the students’ professional knowledge and will further explore their professional and legal obligations when delivering and managing care in the care environment.

The students will be given an opportunity to explore the theory and science that underpin the role of registered paramedic. In addition, they will be able to explore personal development, self-awareness, role transition and safe and effective decision making which are essential in order to function successfully within a health care environment.

The key aims of the module are to provide Paramedic students with a range of methods of promoting collaborative learning in the practice setting and to develop coaching skills. This will enable them to manage different situations and challenges with both colleagues and students in the work place upon registration. Students will be able to consider the selection, implementation and evaluation of a range of skills and strategies that can used to enhance learning in both a uni and multi professional context. Whilst there is a focus to developing work based coaching abilities, this will be placed within the wider context of enabling learning in the work place.

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WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024
A student paramedic using phlebotomy training equipment
Paramedic Science student
Students using a manual resuscitator bag
Paramedic Science video
Two students practicing CPR
Paramedic Science students
A student in the paramedic science place
Simulation space

Entry Requirements

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Career Opportunities

On completing the course, students will have gained the skills to progress into a number of areas, including:

  • Ambulance Paramedic 
  • Paramedic Practitioner 
  • HART Paramedic 
  • Offshore and Wind Farm Paramedic 
  • Events Paramedic 
  • Hosptial Emergency Resuscitation 
  • Education 
  • Further HEI Study
  • Research

 

 

Your Course Team

Lee Marshall

Lee is Lecturer and Course Lead in Paramedic Science and continues to complete frontline shifts with East of England Ambulance Service Trust.

Lee Marshall staff profile photo

Gareth Partington

Gareth has 20 years of progressive and varied experience in healthcare education both in further and higher education.

Gareth Partington staff profile photo

Bethany Weeks

Bethany is Lecturer in Paramedic Science and graduated from the University of Suffolk in 2020.

Bethany Weeks staff profile photo

Sebastian Clover

Sebastian is Lecturer in Paramedic Science and continues to work in clinical practice as a bank paramedic with East of England Ambulance Service.

Sebastian Clover staff profile photo

Craig Hosking

Craig is a lecturer for the Paramedic Science team.

Craig Hosking staff profile photo

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,250

per year
International Full-time Tuition Fee

£18,380

per year and including placement fee

The decision to study a degree is an investment into your future, there are various means of support available to you in order to help fund your tuition fees and living costs. You can apply for funding from the Spring before your course starts.

UK Fees and Finance NHS Learning Support Fund International Fees and Scholarships

Ipswich Award

The University of Suffolk is offering a £1,000 Award for students joining the University of Suffolk’s Ipswich campus. The Award is based on specific eligibility criteria based on your year of entry.

More information
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How to Apply

To study this course on a full-time basis, you can apply through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

Apply Now Further Information on Applying
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Adam Hounslea, Paramedic Science student

"At the University the facilities couldn’t be better, everything is new, so we are working with top of the range kit which helps with your education."

read more
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