Paramedic Science interviews

Learn more about the interview process for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

Welcome to our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science interview guidance page. 
Here you will find details on:
  • interview preparation
  • interview itinerary
  • important FAQs
  • important documents.
We hope that this helps you to prepare for your upcoming interview, but should you have any further questions please contact our interview team on interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk. 
Please note that for September 2023 entry we will continue to offer interviews online via Zoom. 

Preparing for interview 

Ahead of your interview please complete the below health forms and return to applications@plymouth.ac.uk
Once received, these will be added to your application and processed by our admissions team. 
Please also watch the below presentation ahead of your interview:
Top tips for interview
  • Have a good think about the reasons you wish to study BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science with us and why you wish to follow this career path.
  • Consider how you will manage the demands of studying for this degree and how you will overcome them.
  • Take a look at the NHS constitution and your personal commitment to these values. Additional information can be found on the NHS website.
  • Take a detailed look at the University of Plymouth’s website course page, as well as the professional and regulatory body websites for paramedics, which will provide you with details and links for preparing your application and how to succeed at your interview.
Thank you for booking to attend a Zoom interview with us. As part of your booking you will have selected either a morning or afternoon session. 
Our morning sessions will run from 10:00am until 12:00 and our afternoon sessions will begin at 14:00 and finish at 16:00.
You will be required to attend the full duration of the interview and be available for a prompt start. We usually advise that you join the session prior to the start time where you will be able to sit in the virtual waiting room. 
All sessions will include a 30-minute interview and an opportunity to speak with current students.
You will be sent an interview schedule and Zoom link directly from interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk at least 24 hours ahead of the interview session.
Please ensure you have with you:
  • A form of photo identification such as your passport or driving license. We will not be able to complete your interview without this.
  • Pen and paper should you wish to make notes.
After your interview 
If you are successful at interview and are made a conditional offer, as part of your offer you will need to complete a DBS and Occupational Health check. If you do not pass these checks satisfactorily, you will not be able to start a course with us. For more information on how to complete these checks, please visit our Health and human sciences – additional checks page. 

FAQs

How do I book my interview?
Upon successful submission of your application, you will be sent an email with a unique link to our online booking system. You can use our online system to select an interview date that best suits your availability.
If you have not received this email, please be sure to check your junk or clutter folders.
 
What if I need to reschedule my interview after I have booked onto one?
If you need to reschedule your interview you can do so via the system up to 72 hours ahead of your scheduled session. 
We appreciate plans can change and if you need to cancel last minute due to an extenuating circumstance please email us on interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk. 
As this is a professional programme, we expect applicants to respect the time the academics have given to host interviews and we expect applicants to honour their booking or contact us before cancelling. 
Repeated late cancellations impact on the space available for other students to attend interview. 
 
What if I have applied for more than one programme?
If you have applied for more than the programme listed, you will require an additional interview for the other course, to establish if you are suitable for that programme.
 
What happens after my interview?
If you are successful at interview, your offer will be conditional on meeting the academic requirements for the course, satisfactory occupational health and DBS checks. For further information, please visit the Health and Care Professions Council’s website.

Message from the Admissions Tutor

Congratulations on being invited to interview for our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science programme. On this page, we have provided information regarding the tasks we would like you to complete in advance. It is vital that you are prepared and are able to talk about these tasks when you meet us.

During the interview day, we will:

  • Help you to give the best account of your skills, experience and character. This enables us to decide if you will thrive in the University of Plymouth's culture.
  • Explain more about the University, the School of Health Professions and your programme.
  • Enable you to understand as much as you can about the way we work with our students and what it means to become a University of Plymouth student paramedic, to develop into a healthcare professional graduate.

The University of Plymouth is required to select applicants using a ‘values based’ approach for pre-registration health professions programmes. This is to ensure we recruit the right students with the right values, to ensure the delivery of excellent patient care. All aspects of the interview are aligned with the core values of the NHS constitution. These NHS values are:

  • Working together for patients
  • Respect and dignity
  • Commitment to quality of care
  • Compassion
  • Improving lives
  • Everyone counts


Please ensure you read the interview pre-work below carefully as this provides information on what you need to do before attending your interview and what you need to bring with you on the day.

We look forward to meeting you at your interview and if you should need any help or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,

Tristan Henderson
Admissions Tutor for BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science and Lecturer in Paramedic Science
School of Health Professions

Note on driving:

The paramedic science programme involves mandatory clinical placement blocks, which provide an excellent environment in which to learn. These placements may be more than an hour travel time from your address. Due to the rural nature of the South West, public transport links are not always good. As a result, it would be difficult to reach placement sites without being able to drive there. Neither the University of Plymouth nor the Health and Care Professions Council require students/registrants to hold a full driving licence. Having a licence does not affect our decision to make conditional offers for the programme. This information is offered to help you in your planning and decision-making, as no adjustments are made for those who cannot drive. With some drives being a considerable distance from home, some learners need to seek temporary accommodation in that area. Again, this information is offered to aid planning and decision-making before committing to study with us.