Paramedic Science (Pre-registration) MSc

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.

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

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.

Qualifications

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.

If your degree is not in a related subject, you will need to complete a module in Anatomy at Level 4. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact the Admissions team who will be able to advise further.

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.

UK 2025 - 2026 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this postgraduate course is:

• £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 2025 - 2026 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this postgraduate course is:

• £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

NHS Training Grant

If your application to this course is successful, you can apply for extra financial support from the NHS. This is a non-means-tested grant. Find out how to apply.

NHS Training Grant

Tuition fees

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.

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.