Applications can be made throughout the year, however the pathway year starts in September. When applying for a taught postgraduate programme, please check for any submission deadlines with the Professional Development Unit team (contact details below).
In order to commence this programme pathway, you must meet the University’s entry requirements for study at postgraduate level. Applicants will need to be employed as a healthcare professional, be registered with a relevant professional body (HCPC; GMC; NMC) and have access to the pre-hospital practice environment. Candidates should normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2.2 or above or European first cycle equivalent.
If you don’t have a healthcare related degree but do have appropriate experience related to the programme, you may be eligible to apply, provided you can demonstrate a successful qualification at level 6 learning. There is a bridging module available within the School of Health Professions for this purpose (ADV 603). For example, paramedics who have registered through the Institute of Health and Care Development (IHCD) or ‘grand parenting’ would normally be considered to have attained the equivalent of a DipHE (level 5 learning). With successful completion of the bridging module, this will demonstrate the ability to study at level 6.
Each potential student will be assessed individually for their ability to study at this level and an interview will normally be required. Candidates will normally be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.
Applicants whose first language is not English, must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English of IELTS minimum of 7 in each part. If you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree course at Plymouth University, you can book a pre-sessional academic English course.
Unfortunately we are unable to accept applications from non-EU overseas students for this programme as it does not comply with the current Tier 4 visa requirements.
Each candidate on the Pre-Hospital Critical Care / Retrieval and Transfer pathway must also ensure that they have an agreed mentor in place (that has appropriate qualifications within critical care) and access to a practice environment, where they can achieve their practice (passport checklist ADV731 and ADV734) competencies. Appropriate mentors will be assessed through submission of their curriculum vitae, outlining their relevant skills and experience in pre-hospital critical care. A telephone / video conference interview may also be used to affirm mentor suitability and relevant access to a practice environment where practical skills can be undertaken.
Before acceptance onto the programme, you must also provide a signed letter from their employer, in order to confirm the support for the mentor and the student. This should be on headed paper indicating their employing organisation. You must also complete a satisfactory verification of Disclosure and Barring Service status and Occupational Health assessment. At the point of entry on to the programme, you will be required to confirm that you have had a recent Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS, formerly CRB) at an enhanced level (within the last three years). This will be confirmed to the University by the employer and a copy provided for our records.
