2024/25 entry
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Why study Paramedic Science at Liverpool John Moores University?
- A wide range of quality placement opportunities
- A programme delivered by HCPC registered paramedics
- Supported in a multi professional learning environment
- Excellent supervision and support in practice settings
- Evidenced based education and learning
- 5,000 per year NHS training grant, plus another 2,000 for students with dependent children
PLEASE NOTE: This course is currently closed to new applications for September 2024 entry.
About your course
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science at Liverpool John Moores University gives you the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence required to become a registered paramedic. You will achieve the high standard expected of today’s health professionals, enabling you to work effectively at the frontline.
Working alongside other health professionals and emergency services, you will develop strong leadership skills and the ability to work independently, as well as being a member of a team. A good level of physical fitness is paramount as moving and handling of patients and equipment is part of the role.
Your placements will be in the most part with North West Ambulance NHS Trust (NWAS). They are the largest ambulance service outside London, providing emergency care for 7 million people across the region and responding to 952,000 calls each year.
As you progress under supervision, you will be challenged to adapt quickly as situations change. The course will help you develop the clinical skills, underpinning knowledge and interpersonal skills you need to care for people in distressing circumstances. Ultimately, you will have the confidence to work effectively and independently.
We utilise many practice areas within the Merseyside and Cheshire area, which include NWAS, accident and emergency departments, health centres, hospital operating theatres, maternity units, paediatric facilities, mental health facilities and critical care facilities. Each of these placements will add to your experience and development as a paramedic student.
We have excellent facilities within the university so that we can offer you simulated experiences to support your practice. You will benefit from multi-professional days when you will be working alongside and learning with midwifery and nursing students.
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Hear our paramedic students describe why they love studying at LJMU
Hear our paramedic students describe why they love studying at LJMU
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See our students competing in the annual Paramedic Games.
See our students competing in the annual Paramedic Games.
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"As a student from Northern Ireland, paramedic science wasn't a course that I could do, as no universities offered it. As a result, I looked over to England and Scotland for paramedic courses. Finally, I found Liverpool John Moores and instantly fell in love."
Professional accreditation/links
Successful completion of our Paramedic Science degree results In eligibility to apply for Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, giving you the opportunity to practice anywhere in the UK.
Fees and funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:
- library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
- access to programme-appropriate software
- library and student IT support
- free on-campus wifi via eduroam
Additional costs
Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:
- accommodation and living expenditure
- books (should you wish to have your own copies)
- printing, photocopying and stationery
- PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
- mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
- field trips (travel and activity costs)
- placements (travel expenses and living costs)
- student visas (international students only)
- study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
- academic conferences (travel costs)
- professional-body membership
- graduation (gown hire etc)
Funding
There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.
- You may incur additional costs for travel to placement and parking. Reimbursement for this has not yet been identified or agreed.
- Students who would like to buy extra uniform items, further to their standard uniform which is included in the course fees, have the option to do so.
Not covered as part of the course or included in course fees:
- Provisional driving licence
- C1 Class driving licence training and test
Please read the driving licence information on the Entry Requirements tab. You can read more about the C1 licence requirement in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the College of Paramedics website.
Employability
Once completing the programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. This registration will allow you to practice anywhere in the UK as a paramedic.
Once you are a qualified paramedic and you start to build your experience, you can begin to consider progression within your chosen healthcare setting, weather that is with an ambulance service, primary care setting or any other form of NHS Trust or private organisation. You can also develop wider skills and educational pathways, which would support your future development.
The College of Paramedics offers advice and guidance on career and professional development and as a team we will be guiding and advising you.
Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service
A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.
Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website. There are opportunities for flexible, paid and part-time work through Unitemps, LJMU's in-house recruitment service, and we also offer fully funded Discovery Internships.
One-to-one careers and employability advice is available via our campus-based Careers Zones and we offer a year-round programme of events, including themed careers and employability workshops, employer events and recruitment fairs. Our Start-Up Hub can help you to grow your enterprise skills and to research, plan and start your own business or become a freelancer.
A suite of learning experiences, services and opportunities is available to final year students to help ensure you leave with a great onward plan. You can access LJMU's Careers, Employability and Start-up Services after you graduate and return for one-to-one support for life.
Go abroad
LJMU aims to make international opportunities available to every student. You may be able to study abroad as part of your degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. You could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programmes. If you wanted to go abroad for a shorter amount of time, you could attend one of our 1-4 week long summer schools.
Our Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world. With all of these opportunities at your feet, why wouldn’t you take up the chance to go abroad?
Find out more about the opportunities we have available via our Instagram @ljmuglobalopps or email us at: goabroad@ljmu.ac.uk.
A life-changing experience
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What you will study on this degree
Please see guidance below on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the University’s approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
You will complete modules to a total of 120 credits at each level of your degree. All modules are 'Core'; this means all students on the degree will study them.
Levels 4 and 5 are both split 50:50 between theory and practice. At Level 6 there's more of an emphasis on practice with a 40:60 split, helping to prepare you for employment as a paramedic. Increased practice-based placements will allow for a greater depth of service user medical assessment in primary care settings.
Reflective Practice
Reflecting on your own and and fellow student paramedics' simulated clinical practice is a great way to help you develop skills, build confidence and prepare for real-world placements. To do this in the best way possible, we have invested in state-of-the-art recording equipment in each of our clinical practice suites and other teaching spaces. During specific modules, you will be asked to take part in the filming of both yourself and other students. The footage recorded is strictly confidential and must not be shared inappropriately or released into the public domain. Being professional and having respect for others must always be maintained. This strict confidentiality ensures you can be at ease and fully engage with your teaching and learning experiences. Each patient bay is equipped with two cameras and a microphone so you can record yourself completing a procedure - say practicing cannulation skills or wound dressing - and then watch it back to see how you did, spotting good practice or any areas for improvement. It's truly a transformative way to learn and hone your skills!
This course is currently undergoing its scheduled programme review, which may impact the advertised modules. Programme review is a standard part of the university 's approach to quality assurance and enhancement, enabling us to ensure that our courses remain up to date and maintain their high standard and relevancy.
Once the review is completed, this course website page will be updated to reflect any approved changes to the advertised course. These approved changes will also be communicated to those who apply for the course to ensure they wish to proceed with their application.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Level 4
Core modules
Structure and Function of the Human Body
20 credits
The aim of the module is to understand the structure and function of the human body and how it plays an important role in decision making for paramedics.
Foundations of Communication and Professionalism
10 credits
The aim of this module is to encourage you to consider your personal and professional development. This module will offer a variety of study skills relating directly and specifically to paramedic practice.
Perspectives of Health
10 credits
The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of the impact of health and illness on individual and population health. You will develop an awareness of how social, ethnic, gender and cultural differences influence health and illness.
Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness
20 credits
This module explores human anatomy and physiology by considering growth and development within the context of the human life cycle. It will enhance your understanding of human biological systems.
Illness, Diagnosis and Treatment
20 credits
This module provides you with a theoretical base to understand the aetiology of a variety of common conditions and illnesses across all age ranges.
Paramedic Practice
40 credits
This practice-based module builds upon knowledge gained from Module 4007PM and explores key aspects of the non-emergency and emergency role. It addresses aspects of urgent and emergency care, through a model of increasing levels of dependency, immediacy and urgency. Further focus will be on the assessment and management of chronic, acute and life-threatening conditions, presented in time-critical and non time-critical situations. As a practice module, this module addresses key theories and ideas around disease, illness and mechanism of injury.
Level 5
Core modules
Research Methodologies for Paramedics
10 credits
The aim of this module is to provide you with the ability to undertake research in relation to paramedic practice. You will analyse the value of evidence based research in the development of health care practice.
Pathophysiology
20 credits
This module will explore human anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology in relation to paramedic practice.
Promoting Professional Values
10 credits
This module will allow you to analyse the responsibilities that come with being registrants with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It promotes the professional values of being a Health Care Professional.
Applied Pharmacology for Paramedics
20 credits
This module will explore the impact of pharmacological interventions on the human body within the realm of paramedic practice.
Clinical Examination, Assessment and Decision Making
20 credits
Within this module, you will gain theoretical knowledge required to develop and support the clinical skills that you will be learning and utilising during the practice module and whilst on clinical placement.
Advanced Practice
40 credits
By the end of this module, you will be able to safely and effectively demonstrate a range of clinical skills in the out of hospital arena with respect to the environment and any urgent or emergency situation encountered. You will be able to safely and effectively identify and differentiate the critically injured patient, including those with an exacerbation of existing illness or disease. You will also be able to ensure the appropriate management of patients with a time-critical injury or illness in accordance with current evidence-based practice.
Level 6
Core modules
Enhanced Clinical Skills
20 credits
The aim of this module is to develop and enhance patient assessment skills in order to form a differential diagnosis.
Expanding Research in Paramedic Practice
20 credits
The aim of this module is to expand and further develop the research knowledge and ability to design and produce a research study proposal. The proposal should direct you towards an area of study to inform your dissertation.
Critical Review
40 credits
You will undertake a structured literature review in an area related to paramedic practice. Your extended literature review will be informed by a research proposal.
Leadership as a Practice Educator
20 credits
This module will enable you to explore how to facilitate lifelong learning in others by developing your mentoring, teaching and assessing skills in the urgent and emergency care setting.
Paramedic Approach within an Integrated Urgent Care Service
20 credits
This module will enable you to improve your knowledge and understanding of the role of a paramedic within integrated urgent care and clinical assessment services.
Teaching and work-related learning
Excellent facilities and learning resources
We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.
We deliver our modules in a variety of methods. We appreciate that students learn in differing ways and we have the experience and understanding to support each individual through the programme.
Work-related Learning
The wide range of placements coupled with the evidence-based learning will offer you a unique insight into the profession of the paramedic. By designing your programme in this innovative way, we are confident that you will successfully develop your skills, knowledge and professionalism as you move closer to the point of registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
Support and guidance
Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support
In addition, you will be allocated a Personal Tutor at LJMU, who will give you feedback on how you are progressing with your studies and help you to plan for your educational and career development. The university also offer wider support for all of our students if needed.
Assessment
Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.
Your marks and feedback will be available within 15 working days of submitting a piece of work. That's because we believe that constructive feedback is vital in helping you identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to develop further.
Course tutors
Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning
Jason Comber
Programme Leader
Kay works as part of an amazing group of senior lecturers who form the Paramedic Team at LJMU. In addition to being the programme leader for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science, Kay also teaches on BSc (Hons) Paramedicine and MSc Paramedicine. She spent the first ten years of her paramedic career operational in the Chester area before becoming a Paramedic Training Officer for North West Ambulance Service in Liverpool. Kay moved to LJMU in 2007 to help develop the paramedic programmes. Here, she completed an MSc Public Health and is now working on a PhD. Kay's research area is the menopause transition, and how paramedics define it, cope with it and manage it when at the "front-line" of healthcare.
I enjoy seeing the passion, enthusiasm and caring qualities in our students. I particularly enjoy seeing the development of each paramedic student throughout their education and clinical experience in university and in practice, and I appreciate that every student has a unique journey through the programme. As every paramedic student walks across the stage at graduation each footstep reminds me of their student story.
Facilities
What you can expect from your School
Part of the City Campus, the School of Nursing and Allied Health works with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design and deliver a dynamic suite of courses. In addition to specialist clinical practice suite facilities, you will find high quality seminar rooms, IT suites and lecture theatres, plus a café and social spaces. The Schools flagship Tithebarn Building adjoins the Avril Robarts Library.
Entry requirements
Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements
Grades/points required from qualifications: BBB - ABB (120 - 128)
Qualification requirements
GCSEs and equivalents
Prior to application applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language, Science and Mathematics GCSE or Welsh GCSE in Maths / The Welsh GCSE in Maths Numeracy. We will also accept the following alternative qualifications:
- Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
- NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
- Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
- Higher Diploma in Maths/English
- Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths/English
- Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
- Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
The Faculty of Health will accept Edge Hill University's equivalence tests in English and mathematics as an alternative to the GCSE requirements. For further information, please go to Edgehill Equivalency Tests or email edgehilltests@edgehill.ac.uk . These must be passed prior to applying to the University
A levels
BBB - ABB (120 - 128)
Minimum Number of A Levels: 3
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20
BTECs
Extended Diploma: DDM
Access awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications
Pass overall with a minimum of 120 points
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject
OCR Cambridge Technical
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject
Irish awards
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications From a relevant subject
T levels
Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.
You need to obtain the required UCAS points from a related subject area
Alternative qualifications considered
OCR National Extended Diploma must be in a relevant subject area such as Health and Social Care, if no other qualifications taken alongside this.
We accept Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) and Extended Project Stand Alone qualifications. We will also accept the new Cache Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care grade B or above, or in combination with other relevant qualifications.
Please be advised that we do not accept BTEC or any other Level 3 qualification in Children's Play, Learning and Development.
We want applicants to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to the profession, who will provide excellent care and treatment. We also require evidence of relevant experience in the field of health care. This may have been paid employment, voluntary or personal experience, but we will expect you to be able to communicate specific details of these caring opportunities and relate these to the role of a Paramedic and the NHS Core values.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong desire to continually develop and improve their skills as a student and ultimately as a registered paramedic. Evidence of professional reading such as the HCPC is required and demonstrate how it fits in with the wider health service. In addition, essential aspects are excellent communication skills, good time management skills, a willingness to work flexible shift patterns.
Additional requirements
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Interview required
Yes
Admissions Process
- Applications will be assessed, and qualifications will be checked to see that they meet or are predicted to meet our entry requirements. We would expect applicants’ personal statements to demonstrate preparation for and commitment to studying this course and to becoming a Paramedic.
- Applicants that meet this initial criteria will then be sent an assessment by email with full instructions and a deadline for submission.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview and offers will be made to successful applicants.
- All applicants must provide a satisfactory reference with their application, failure to do so will result in a rejected application.
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Assessment required
Applicants who meet the programme's academic requirements will be required to undertake an assessment. Successful candidates will then be invited to interview.
International requirements
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IELTS
6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in each component) or equivalent English language proficiency test.
Further information
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DBS, Occupational Health requirements
Is a DBS check required?
Yes. DBS and Occupational Health assessments required
All applicants will require a full UK driving licence upon commencement of the programme. We also recommend that students should look to gain the C1 provisional entitlement on their driving licence as you will need to have completed both the theory and practical test in order to secure employment in many (not all) Ambulance Service NHS Trusts. It is understood that if you are seventeen years of age at the point of application then you cannot be expected to hold a full driving licence.
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Reduced offer scheme
As part of LJMU’s commitment to widening access we offer eligible students entry to their chosen course at a reduced threshold between 8 and 16 UCAS points. This applies if you are a student who has experience of living in local authority care or if you have participated in one of LJMU’s sustained outreach programmes such as a summer university. Please contact course enquiries for further details.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
Application and selection
Securing your place at LJMU
UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.
PLEASE NOTE: This course is currently closed to new applications for September 2024 entry.
Please be aware that demand for LJMU's Paramedic Science degree is extremely high. Our recruitment quota is capped at 50 places. As we usually receive around 1,700 applications, we strongly advise you to ensure your application is carefully tailored to clearly address all of the entry and shortlisting criteria.
All applicants are shortlisted based on qualifications (achieved and/or predicted) in the first instance.
Driving Licence
All applicants will require a full UK driving licence upon commencement of the programme. We also recommend that students should look to gain the C1 provisional entitlement on their driving licence as you will need to have completed both the theory and practical test in order to secure employment in many (not all) Ambulance Service NHS Trusts. It is understood that if you are seventeen years of age at the point of application then you cannot be expected to hold a full driving licence.
We are looking for evidence of understanding the wider context of the role. We want applicants to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to the profession.
We also require evidence of relevant experience in the field of health care. This may have been paid employment, voluntary or personal experience, but we will expect you to be able to communicate specific details of these caring opportunities and relate these to the role of a Paramedic and the NHS Core values.
Applicants should demonstrate a strong desire to continually develop and improve their skills as a student and ultimately as a registered paramedic. Evidence of professional reading such as the HCPC is required and excellent communication skills, good time management skills, a willingness to work flexible shift patterns are essential.
Applicants should demonstrate an ability to balance and combine academic study, clinical work and family/social life.
LJMU is able to offer direct entry to the second year of the programme under existing RP(E)L arrangement given the proven relevant experience and qualifications.
Please note: Due to the volume of applications, amendments will not be accepted once an application has been submitted.
If shortlisted, you will be invited to a selection process consisting of an individual interview. If successful, in addition to any conditions, all offers will be subject to:
- Satisfactory Medical Clearance/Examination
- We will contact you directly to undertake this
- Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check
We will contact you directly to undertake this and further information can be found at www.disclosure.gov.uk
In addition, applicants will have to follow Faculty procedures for declaring any convictions if successful after interview.
There is an expectation that you will fully prepare for employment with the ambulance service over the programme. You will be expected to complete a series of assessments involving moving and handling techniques. This is necessary to ensure that you have sufficient physical ability to cope with extreme work demands as and when these occur and minimise health or injury risks. The university will offer support through theory and practice in terms of techniques, skills and equipment to be used.
The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.