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Postgraduate Course

Paramedic Science (Pre-registration) MSc

Build on your critical thinking and applied healthcare knowledge required to be an HCPC registered paramedic.

Whether you are a health,or allied health professional looking to broaden your professional base, a biological sciences graduate looking for a practical, patient focused career, or you want to make use of the critical analysis skills of your undergraduate degree in any other discipline, this course could be for you.

York campus

  • Duration – 2 years full time
  • Start date – September 2024, September 2025
  • School – School of Science, Technology and Health

Minimum entry requirements

    2:1 honours degree in a related subject

    Interview for all applicants

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £9,250 per year full time

    International 2024-25 £18,400 per year full time

Paramedic Science Simulation Day

Our Paramedic Science students took part in a simulation day, working with academic staff and other courses. Find out more about their experiences.

Course overview

Paramedics occupy a unique place in healthcare provision globally, which often goes beyond primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare in many settings. There is an increasing need for the profession to understand complex healthcare needs as well as wider public health concerns. This course builds on the considerable critical thinking and applied healthcare knowledge gained through previous experiences and aligns that with the skills and knowledge required to be an HCPC registered paramedic.

There is a strong emphasis on inter-professional and inter-agency learning throughout the course, and you will be encouraged to consider the role of different professions and how they work alongside paramedics. This may take the form of case scenarios, case discussion and visiting speakers from a variety of different clinical environments.

By integrating inter-professional learning with critical problem-solving skills, we will support you to make a unique contribution to your new profession, right from the start of your new career.

We have adopted an integrative approach to practice education. Ensuring that practice is central to learning requires that we partner with providers that can help you to become an adaptive reflective practitioner. Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, along with other NHS and non-NHS providers partner with the University to assist you in the transfer of theory into practice. This transition starts in the classroom, where you will engage with realistic scenarios and case studies.

Course structure

How you will study

You will study this postgraduate course full time.

The course will take 2 years to complete. You will study:

  • 4 compulsory modules in year 1
  • 4 compulsory modules in year 2

You can find out which modules are available in each term in the Course Specifications.

Modules

Credits: 15

Compulsory module

On this module you will be introduced to the concept of a professional paramedic and assist the transition from your previous professional or academic career. We will discuss managing your higher education postgraduate experience and how to be effective in your study. You will explore communication and conflict resolution, as well as gain an understanding of the assessment of risk, and working within a wider team of health care professionals. This will help with the transition to paramedic practice as you head out into your first practice education experience following this module.

Credits: 30

Compulsory module

On this module you will develop the skills needed for basic to advanced prehospital care in a simulated environment. You will be taught in simulation and practical sessions. You will learn to conduct appropriate diagnostic or monitoring procedures, treatment, therapy or other actions safely and effectively.

Credits: 30

Compulsory module

On this module you will develop the skills needed for basic to advanced prehospital care in a simulated environment. You will be taught in simulation and practical sessions. You will learn to conduct appropriate diagnostic or monitoring procedures, treatment, therapy or other actions safely and effectively.

Credits:15

Compulsory module

On this module you will undertake a practice education placement, with a key focus on emergency ambulance. This is your opportunity to practice in a real life setting and provide respectful, appropriate care to service users. You will be supervised and assessed by practice educators and other health care professionals throughout your practice education.

Credits:15

Compulsory module

On this module you will learn to understand the aspects of both medical and physical health that are commonly seen in paramedic practice. Building on your understanding gained from your first year of the course, and previous human biology study, we will expand on concepts of pathophysiology. By combining the understanding of physical wellbeing with mental wellbeing, you will gain a deep insight into the concepts of holistic healthcare.

Credits:15

Compulsory module

As paramedics develop into more advanced roles there is a need for a wider understanding of the nature of urgent and primary care. On this module you will refine your knowledge and skills to practice at a newly qualified paramedic level within an urgent or primary care setting. You will extend your knowledge and skills developed during the Clinical Care in Paramedic Practice module, focussing on minor injury and minor illness.

Credits: 30

Compulsory module

On this module you will undertake another practice education placement, with a key focus on emergency ambulance. This is your opportunity to practice in a real life setting and provide respectful, appropriate care to service users. You will extend your knowledge in important practice areas, such as pharmacological interventions. You will be supervised and assessed by practice educators and other health care professionals throughout your practice education.

Credits: 30

Compulsory module

This Dissertation module provides you with the opportunity to undertake a piece of research relevant to the paramedic profession. This research may be in the form of a literature review or secondary analysis on existing data. You will be supported by academic staff to undertake research in a topic of interest to paramedic practice.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching and learning

The course has been designed to help you develop the relevant skills and professional behaviours required to achieve entry level professional competencies as required by the Health and Care Professions Council.

You will learn through weekly lectures, seminars and workshops. At the beginning of the course, you will be allocated an academic tutor. This tutor will support you throughout your time with us, whilst also helping to develop your employability and professional development.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Teaching methods may include:

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Individual and group tutorials
  • Interactive workshops
  • Visits and field trips
  • Guest speakers and visiting lecturers

Experiential learning may include:

  • Practical and skills-based sessions
  • Research
  • Practice education placements

Online activities may include:

  • Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) based tasks
  • Other online platforms or applications
  • Social media use

Assessment

Practical assessments are designed to bring together realistic situations, mimicking what is expected in clinical practice by the demonstration of problem solving ability and skills application. Combined with the production of a research proposal and subsequent article, this means that you have an opportunity to make a difference to both services users and in the profession right from the point of graduation.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Minimum entry requirements

    2:1 honours degree in a related subject

    Interview for all applicants

Entry onto this MSc course requires a 2:1 in a related subject. You may be invited for interview if you have a 2:2 and an award that is in a non-related subject. Each application is reviewed on a case by case basis.

Insight into the paramedic profession and work shadowing experience with paramedics is preferred. If you do not have anatomy and physiology knowledge, please contact us to discuss your options.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 7.0 (with no skill below 6.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

Additional requirements

Admission to the course is dependent upon the following criteria:

  • Satisfactory DBS
  • Medical report

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

If you do not have traditional qualifications, you might be able to provide evidence of professional experience in the subject as an alternative way to meet the entry requirements. This is called Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Appropriate references and records of employment would need to be presented to support your case for admission.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

Fees and funding

UK 2024 - 2025 entry

  • £9,250 for full time study

These costs apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

Postgraduate loans are available to help you pay for your master’s course. Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

Funding opportunities

International 2024 - 2025 entry

  • £18,400 for full time study

These costs apply to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your postgraduate studies.

International Fees and Funding

Tuition fees

    UK 2024-25 £9,250 per year full time

    International 2024-25 £18,400 per year full time

Alumni Scholarships

If you are alumni of York St John University we have scholarships available to help you continue your studies.

Scholarships for alumni

Additional costs and financial support

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Accommodation and living costs

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.

Career outcomes

Where could Paramedic (Pre-registration) take you?

This degree could lead you to a career working as a paramedic. You will develop the skills and learn the theory based on your area of expertise or employment. Through working on practical activities with links to industry you will gain key professional skills.

Stand out from the crowd with postgraduate study.

Far fewer people have postgraduate degrees than undergraduate qualifications. This gives you something extra to set yourself apart in a competitive graduate job market. 

Our careers service, LaunchPad, provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

  • Employer events
  • LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
  • Workshops on application writing and interview skills
  • Work experience and volunteering opportunities
  • Personalised career advice

This support does not end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain the experience and confidence you need to succeed.

Apply for this course

For postgraduate degrees you must apply directly to York St John University using the links below. This will take you to the application form you need to fill out for this specific course. 

To complete the online application form you will need to create login details. 

Please contact 2 referees before submitting your application. An automated request for a reference will be emailed to them as soon as you submit. Your application will not be reviewed until both references are in place.

Fees and key information

Apply now

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