Course Comparison

Course
BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science with Integrated Foundation Year
Award
Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons) Bachelor of Science - BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years 4 years
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Full-time Full-time
Placement
(with placements) (with placements)
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
Peninsula Medical School School of Health Professions
Entry requirements
Please note the following information concerning entry requirements for this course:
  • None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
  • All applicants must meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements (non-academic entry requirements only apply to 2024 entry) in order to be considered.
  • We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021.
Academic entry requirements
GCSEs
Applicants need to achieve GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) in the following subjects:
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
Plus one of the below Level 3 qualifications
Level 3 qualifications must include the equivalent of one A level in one of the following subject:
Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.
GCE A level
A minimum of 2 A levels to include at least one pass in a Science subject.
BTEC Extended Diploma/National Extended Diploma (13 units)
PPP in a Science related subject.
BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (8 units)
MP in a Science related subject.
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject, such as Science, Combined Studies, Natural Sciences or Nursing.
International Baccalaureate
24 points overall to include English, Mathematics and one Science subject.
GNVQ and AGNVQ
Passes in Science subjects.
Other UK qualifications
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without Science qualifications at Level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This programme is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications. Please note that the GCSE criteria outlined above, or equivalent qualifications, are essential.
Military veterans
Applications from military veterans are welcomed and each application is assessed on an individual basis, as we realise that some military courses are not externally validated.
International applicants
We welcome applicants from outside of the UK, however, you must be able to demonstrate that you meet both the academic and non-academic entry requirements of this programme.
International applicants need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students as outlined above. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:
If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
  • GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.0 or above with no element below 6.5 taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International student advice also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.
Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.
Selection and admissions process
Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically 15 January.
All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.
The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:
1. Shortlisting for interview – Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications and non-academic criteria alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview
The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants
2. Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, please see our medicine and dentistry selection and admissions process
Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course
3. Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.
Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.
The University is supportive of students with special needs and disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to disclose any needs or disability so that appropriate adjustments can be made in learning support and their individual needs met. A comprehensive procedure is in place involving Student Services and the Admissions team to ensure that all applicants are treated equitably.
The Diagnostic Radiography programmes follow the guidance for Occupational Practitioners when providing adjustment for students in regulated professions.
The Faculty of Health has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee . The webpage associated with this committee has a link you can access for more information and support.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise
Within the foundation, we aim to build a picture of the circumstances that may have adversely affected an applicant’s education and academic potential. When assessing an application, we will consider a range of educational, social, family, and individual characteristics and experiences. Applications for this course will therefore only be considered if contextual entry requirements are met alongside the required academic criteria. The contextual factors will be noted from your submitted UCAS application, so it is key that these areas are completed on your application. Applicants for this course must not meet the A level and GCSE grade requirements for the three year BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science (B784) course.
GCSE
Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:
  • English (Consideration may be given to equivalent literacy qualifications)
  • Mathematics (Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in Mathematics)
  • Science
Students not achieving mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 on application may be offered a free online mathematics support package and an examination equivalent to C grade GCSE to enable the achievement of appropriate entry requirements prior to commencing the programme. This examination is offered during the recruitment cycle to all eligible candidates.
Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications or experience as outlined below:
A level
Typical offer {{course.new_ucas_tariff}} UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A-levels including grade E in a Science subject. Excluding General Studies.
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C/4 at GCSE level)
International Baccalaureate
24 overall to include 3 at Higher Level science subject. English and mathematics must be included.
BTEC
PPP in a science related subject.
T level
Accepted, a minimum of a Pass (D or E in the Core) = 72 points – preference pathways would be Health or Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.
Access
Pass an Access to HE Diploma (e.g science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing).
Other qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Interview may be required, please refer to institution for individual consideration.
English language
We are aware of the various education systems throughout the world and make offers based on equivalent qualifications to those listed in our entry requirements. You should be able to possess the ability to study in the English language and be familiar with this in a scientific context. To that end, we ask for a minimum IELTS score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each section. English language requirements.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Extended entry requirements
In addition to the above, acceptance depends on a number of other factors:
  • Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered.
  • Before any offer can be made, successful applicants are interviewed as part of a values based recruitment process.
  • All applicants for professional health programmes must undergo additional screening to ensure their suitability. We are typically unable to accept those with criminal convictions/cautions that were issued in the preceding two years of an application (not including fixed penalty offences, such as speeding or parking infringements). Similarly, we are typically unable to accept those who have had fitness to practise concerns raised within the last two years by an employer, regulator or another university. After a two year period, all applications that involved criminal convictions/cautions or fitness to practise concerns are considered by our professional issues committee to ensure fitness to practise on a healthcare programme. Screening includes assessment of disclosure and barring service (DBS) status as well as occupational health checks. Occupational health assessments ensure that applicants are fit to fulfil the demands of placements. As students undertake ‘exposure prone procedures’, successful applicants must be vaccinated against a number of diseases.
  • Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.
Further information