Undergraduate course
BSc (Hons)
Paramedic Science with Integrated Foundation Year
Being a paramedic is a highly rewarding and stimulating career, presenting many opportunities to specialise within a variety of challenging healthcare environments. Our foundation course prepares you for the degree in BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
Your journey starts here
Begin your paramedicine journey with a foundation that provides a comprehensive introduction to healthcare and nurtures confidence, skills and knowledge – designed to support your growth in every area essential for success.
Immersive learning
Ready yourself for real world situations in dedicated facilities, such as the home simulation suite and our simulated ambulance. Practise your professional healthcare skills in our inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place.
Patient focus
Study an accredited course by the College of Paramedics designed to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care. Learn from experienced paramedics with diverse clinical backgrounds, many of whom are qualified independent prescribers.
About
The University has an excellent reputation for its practical approach and strong links with local NHS services, which I believe is essential for hands-on training. The blend of lectures, seminars and practical application has helped me develop critical thinking and decision-making abilities under pressure, which are vital in the field. Overall, I appreciate how the programme prepares us to be well-rounded paramedics ready for the challenges we will face in our careers.
Megan
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science student
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science student
What is a foundation year?
A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.
On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.
Further information on
University of Plymouth courses with Foundation years
.
A full list of potential progressions routes is listed under course details
Why choose a degree with a foundation year?
- To build your confidence to study at university level.
- To gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree.
- Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree.
- You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for.
- You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you.
- You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like.
This course is for you if...
you're compassionate and dedicated to caring for people who need your help
you're a team player, ready to work with healthcare professionals, patients, and families
you want to make a difference to society through healthcare
you seek early clinical exposure to develop practical skills and put theory to practise
Details
Progression routes
This course is an integrated part of the
Paramedic Science
degree at the University of Plymouth. Successful completion of your foundation year (Year 0) will not lead to a separate award or qualification in its own right but provides progression onto Year 1 of
Paramedic Science
.
Year 0
Our Integrated foundation course prepares you for the undergraduate degree in BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science. Taught by University lecturers on campus, you’ll be part of the University from day one. If your current qualifications don’t allow you direct entry to degree level, this course is for you. Students completing the BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science with Integrated Foundation Year course will normally progress to year 1 of
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
.
Core modules
BHCS001
Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics
20 credits
This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.
50% Coursework
50% Examinations
BHCS002
Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences
20 credits
This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.
100% Coursework
FMD001
Molecules to Cells
20 credits
This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.
100% Examinations
FMD002
Introduction to Human Physiology
20 credits
This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.
50% Examinations
50% Other
FMD004
Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning)
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline
100% Coursework
SOHP001
Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions
20 credits
This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning and professional development.
100% Coursework
Year 2
Core modules
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
PARA400
Human Anatomy and Physiology
20 credits
This module builds on existing knowledge of human anatomy and physiology whilst introducing pathophysiology relevant to ongoing paramedic practice. Students will be taught via shared learning and seminars, topics covered will expand on knowledge of systems such as Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Cardiorespiratory, Skeletal, Muscular, Neurological, Integumentary, Gastrointestinal, Urological and Reproductive.
100% Examinations
PARA401
Clinical Skills and Application to Practice (1)
20 credits
This module introduces the student to basic and intermediate clinical skills required for pre-hospital care and the theory behind them. During the module the student will gain an understanding of the patient journey and the skills required for delivering exceptional patient care within the wider healthcare sector.
100% Clinical exams
PARA402
Introduction to Paramedic Science
20 credits
This module introduces paramedic practice. It creates understanding of the profession, regulatory and professional bodies and the contemporary legislation and policy that drives patient care. It delivers strategies for communicating in multi-disciplinary and diverse working environments and will address health and safety in clinical practice. A local ambulance trust orientation is also included.
100% Coursework
PARA403
Special Patient Groups
20 credits
Paramedics must be able to assess and manage anyone presenting healthcare needs. Additional skills and knowledge may be required to assess and manage those from special patient groups. This module introduces the underpinning principles required to safely assess and manage those patients, including those who are at the extremes of age, pregnant, those with chronic ill-health, and those at the end stages of life.
100% Examinations
PARA404
Practice Placement (1)
20 credits
This module will enable the student to develop a portfolio of skills and competencies relevant to first year paramedic practice. There will be opportunities to apply theory, evidence based knowledge and practical ability within paramedic placement areas and clinical settings.
100% Coursework
SOHP401
Preparation for Practice
20 credits
This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.
100% Coursework
Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council
College of Paramedics
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
Hands-on learning
Practice clinical skills safely before undertaking placements at a variety of healthcare settings – enabling high quality learning and a diverse experience with support from expert health professionals.
We try to do as many scenarios as we can and to make it as realistic as possible. It’s all aimed at making our students better paramedics and giving them the experience so they feel well practiced and are able to apply those skills to real patients.
Watch our third-year paramedic science students in action as they triage and treat simulated casualties around Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium – from the gateway and tunnel to the stands.
In this realistic major incident exercise, the paramedics of the future put their skills to the test in a dynamic and high-pressure environment.
Mr Jason Long
Lecturer in Paramedic Science (Education)
Exercise Dartmoor – clinical champion simulation
Held on Dartmoor’s rugged landscape, Exercise Dartmoor is a large-scale simulation event that immerses you in a series of complex, high-pressure scenarios that reflect the realities of pre-hospital care.
This hands-on experience pushes you to apply your clinical knowledge, make rapid decisions and work collaboratively in dynamic environments – skills essential for your future careers as paramedics
“The main objective of the event is for staff to pose difficult, but known, pre-hospital clinical situations and encourage teamwork, problem-solving and confidence as students work through these scenarios.”
Lecturer and exercise lead
Work alongside other healthcare students
Teamwork is essential for success in health and social care and many other careers. Interprofessional learning is all about working and learning together with people from different areas of healthcare. It helps you build valuable skills for the future.
The Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre supports interprofessional learning, giving students chances to work with others across different healthcare fields including radiography, dietetics, dental surgery, psychology, and child nursing. By learning together, students become confident and ready to step into their careers from day one.
It is great to know how to ensure all of our professions can work effectively together. This benefits the service user and staff.
Healthcare systems always require improvement, it’s easier to know how to improve your area if you know how other areas work too.
Real-world experience
Placements are an exciting and dynamic way to consolidate what you have learnt in the classroom. Practice takes place in a variety of healthcare settings enabling high quality learning and a diverse experience with support from expert health professionals.
Placements are crucial to the course, and I feel they have prepared me well for when I will be by myself on the road. It's the best chance to put the theory into practise.
Current paramedic science student Ismael shares detail into his placements working for the ambulance service, surgical theatres and maternity wards and how working in these different settings are preparing him for his future career.
Jacob's story
Jacob Maddams, BSc (Hons) Paramedic Practitioner student, is training to save lives and hopes to take to the skies as part of the Air Ambulance team.
Watch his story and discover his passion for paramedicine.
NHS Constitution
All our students are expected to adhere to the principles and values laid out in the NHS Constitution
Learn from experienced healthcare professionals
We pride ourselves on our innovative curriculum with an experienced, research-active teaching team, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience into the classroom, which you will apply in clinical practice.
Mr Ian Luscombe
Lecturer in Paramedic Science
Mr Andrew Webber
Lecturer in Paramedic Science (Education)
Mr Jason Long
Lecturer in Paramedic Science (Education)
Join our Paramedic Society – ParaSoc
Getting involved in a society comes with many benefits, from making new friends to enhancing your CV. The Paramedic Society offers students an enriching opportunity to develop skills, network with students from other healthcare professions, deepen their understanding of specialisms in paramedicine and attend fun socials to unwind from university stress.
"The society is really great for meeting new people and creating new friends within your cohort, and also students on different stages of the course. This year we organised a winter ball, board game nights and attended the cider festival at the Students' Union. We have also organised smaller, regular welfare catch ups which are a great way to check in on one another, especially when we are all out on placement" - Mark, current ParaSoc President.
Life in Plymouth
Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Get involved with one of our many student groups
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Making a difference
We offered recent graduates the opportunity to visit Nepal, so that they could see a different healthcare system outside of the UK before they started their career.
They were observed how the people of Nepal adapted to services and available resources, visit different hospitals and emergency departments in rural areas and contribute to the community through the delivery of first aid training in schools and to healthcare professionals. This immersive experience provided an insightful cultural experience, better understanding of global health challenges and enriched their professional development.
Paul – charting a new path of service in paramedic science
After a career in the Royal Marines, Paul was passionate about working in a fast pace, unpredictable, and rewarding job so applied to study paramedic science. One year on from graduating, Paul gives an insight into his career as a newly qualified paramedic.
Career opportunities
A degree in paramedic science offers far more than preparation for life on the road – it equips you with highly transferable skills, hands-on experience and access to a broad range of career opportunities. The paramedic profession combines autonomy, responsibility and variety rarely found in other healthcare roles. Whether working on the frontline as the first healthcare professional to attend patients, or in evolving roles within critical care, primary care, forensic medicine or expedition medicine, paramedics make a real difference.
As the profession grows, so do the options – from specialist, advanced and consultant-level practice to leadership, research and education roles. Paramedics are increasingly recognised as skilled, registered professionals across both emergency and non-emergency settings, enhancing job stability and professional standing within the NHS and beyond.
Exploring the wide range of clinical and non-clinical paths is key to shaping a fulfilling career. Reflecting on your interests, values and strengths will help guide your direction, whether you choose further specialism or a less traditional route.
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for full-time UK students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£9,790 per year
£9,790 per year
Part-time study
£815 per 10 credits
£815 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
The Government has announced that tuition fees from Academic Year 28/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, which we believe will be at a similar rate to the recent annual increases to fees, and may continue to be inflation based. The University may increase annual tuition fees in line with the Student Contract and the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government from time to time.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies and we advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year
Full-time study
£19,200 per year
£19,200 per year
Optional placement year completed in the UK
£1,955
Optional placement year completed outside the UK
£1,465
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
UK Government announcement on tuition fees
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. Studying a course in this faculty may incur additional costs relating to placement or equipment requirements.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
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 requirements for the three-year BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science 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.
A level
Typical offer 32 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)
BTEC
PPP in a science related subject.
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.
New Irish Highers
Achieve Irish Leaving Certificate with 32 UCAS points.
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.
International Baccalaureate
24 overall to include 3 at Higher Level science subject. English and mathematics must be included.
Extended entry requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
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
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
B959
B959
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
(with placements)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
32 UCAS points
32 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
B959
B959
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
4 years
(with placements)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
Plymouth
Plymouth
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the University of Plymouth.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.