The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science is designed to provide the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and practical work experience required to provide high quality, autonomous, responsive healthcare associated with the professional practice of a paramedic.
Paramedics deliver a broad spectrum of healthcare in a range of situations from giving life-saving medical help at the scene of an accident to supporting a patient who is experiencing a mental health crisis. Every case or call is different, and as well as caring for your patient you will also need to be able to look after your patient’s friends and family and communicate with a range of other health care professionals and the emergency services.
Paramedics must have the skills to assess, diagnose, prescribe, treat and refer patients to the most appropriate care pathway. You will need to be able to work with patients across the lifespan, from birth to older adults, and think and act quickly under pressure.
This course will cover all of the key areas of study outlined by the College of Paramedics including; physical sciences; life sciences; social, health and behavioural sciences; clinical sciences; ethics and law; patient assessment; care delivery; leadership; evidence based practice; health informatics; incident response management and practice skills.
The course is offered over three academic years, each consisting of 45 weeks of study. Students spend approximately 3,000 hours studying at the University and 1,500 hours gaining practical, supervised experience with a variety of healthcare providers.
The programme will facilitate an interprofessional approach to teaching and learning, which aims to enable students from Paramedic Science and other disciplines to work collaboratively and challenge traditional perceptions of healthcare provision.
A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be used to cater for the individual needs of students on the programme. These strategies may include lectures; seminars; workshops; small group activity; self-assessment; case studies; library based resources; skills sessions; virtual learning; simulation and practice based learning.
Students on this programme learn from academic staff who are often engaged in world-leading or internationally excellent research or professional practice. Contact time can be in workshops, practical sessions, seminars or lectures and may vary from module to module and from academic year to year. Tutorial sessions and project supervision can take the form of one-to-one engagement or small group sessions. Some courses offer the opportunity to take part in external visits and fieldwork.
It is still the case that students read for a degree and this means that in addition to scheduled contact hours, students are required to engage in independent study. This allows you to read around a subject and to prepare for lectures and seminars through wider reading, or to complete follow up tasks such as assignments or revision. As a general guide, the amount of independent study required by students at the University of Lincoln is that for every hour in class you are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study.
Applied Behavioural Science (Core)
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This module will provide you with an understanding of the basic principles of behavioural science. It will assist you in your assessment of the behavioural and psychological issues relating to health and give you an understanding of the issues surrounding a range of mental health conditions. You will learn how to recognise signs of stress in yourself and others, identify where to access the different types of support available and explore and develop personal resilience strategies.
Essential Skills for Paramedic Science (Core)
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The module provides a theoretical and practical introduction to the core skills required for paramedic practice including mandatory education relating to placement. The module introduces you to patient assessment, essential clinical skills and clinical decision making. The module will introduce you to the evidence based practice approach that underpins paramedic science and to reflective practice, academic writing and study skills which will underpin the programme. The module involves peer to peer education and you will begin a reflective journal which will span buddying and peer education over the three years of the programme.
Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (Core)
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This module begins by developing an appreciation of how the human body is organised from a cellular to a systems level. Using a systems based approach, you will gain an understanding of human anatomy and physiology developing a sound knowledge of how systems function together in order to maintain homeostasis. The content on this module, including an introduction to medical terminology, will provide a foundation upon which the level 5 and 6 pathophysiology and pharmacology modules will build. The learning contained in this module will form a basis in order that you can understand normal patient presentations, thereby linking closely with practical modules.
Interprofessional and Collaborative Practice Across the Health Professions (Core)
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The 21st century Paramedic is required to practice in a way that is infused with humanity as well as evidence; responding to the individual needs of those in their care and acting in accordance with individual best interests, whilst forming a relationship based on respect and trust.
This module relates to professional practice that is informed by appropriate values and ethics. This module will encourage you to take a positive and proactive approach towards promoting social inclusion, valuing diversity and promoting ethical healthcare practice.
You will explore different perspectives and how your personal and professional values interact with those of others, including how these interactions can be managed in order to create a meaningful and productive work environment. This module will require you to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of ethical theory, principles and professional skills within a health and social care context.
You will be expected to articulate what it means to be an accountable, interprofessional and collaborative practitioner within a healthcare team and an advocate for applied ethics within contemporary practice whilst respecting the partnership with service users, carers, agencies and other professionals.
Care Across the Lifespan (Core)
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This module will provide you with an understanding of how communication strategies may differ across the lifespan. Factors affecting older people both physically and psychologically are explored with issues around End of Life Care addressed. You will develop an understanding of grief theory and develop the skills and sensitivity to best break bad news. The module also covers special circumstances such as dementia and learning disabilities and explores the value of nutrition. This module will support you to develop the skill of critical reflection as a method to explore and enhance your own practice.
Developing skills for Paramedic Science (Core)
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The module builds upon the core skills introduced in the level 4 Essential Skills for Paramedic Science Module. The module will further develop essential patient assessment skills, delving deeper into the medical model of assessment in line with Advanced Medical Life Support (AMLS), leading to advancing clinical skills and clinical decision making. You will gain a thorough understanding of Advanced Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support with emphasis on patient assessment, clinical decision making and appropriate intervention, including administration of relevant medication. The module includes learning and teaching in the area of major incident management. The module involves buddying students from year 1 and continuing your reflective journey in this area.
Pathophysiology for Pre-Hospital Professionals (Core)
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This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of both acute and long-term conditions. Key pathological processes will be examined and, by recognition of signs and symptoms and identification of differential diagnoses, relevant interventions and treatment will be identified.
Pre-Hospital Paediatrics and Obstetrics (Core)
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This module will develop your understanding of assessment and management strategies in paediatric and obstetric patients including trauma, medical and advanced life support situations. The value of multi-professional approach to child protection will be explored. The module includes learning and teaching around paramedic care and management of women during pregnancy, birth and beyond, including complications of pregnancy. The module will support you to develop your skills of critical reflection as a method to explore and enhance your own practice.
Clinical Pharmacology for Paramedic Science (Core)
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This module will develop your understanding of pharmacology theory including principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. It will provide a sound understanding of the medications available to paramedics and those encountered in the pre-hospital environment including how these relate to a range of pathologies. Patient medications will be explored together with issues around polypharmacy and the problems that may arise as a result. Legal and ethical issues will be discussed, including the management of patients suffering the effects of illegal and recreational drugs.
Leadership and Practice Education (Core)
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This module explores aspects of leadership and management in healthcare, alongside practical skills for facilitating practice learning, preparing you to become a practice educator of the future.
You will gain an understanding of management and leadership theory and how human factors can impact upon organisational culture, service delivery and clinical practice. You will learn how to function effectively as a member of a team, motivating and supporting your colleagues.
We will collectively explore the skills required for critical and constructive reflection as a registered professional, preparing for lifelong personal and professional development. This will include practicing coaching and mentorship techniques, to support and facilitate the development of others on the programme; reflecting the culmination of your engagement in peer to peer education and buddying throughout the programme.
Research and Evidence Based Practice (Core)
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This module will develop your understanding of the importance of evidence based practice and how it impacts upon the provision of health and social care and shapes the processes of service improvement. You will gain an understanding of how to locate and critically appraise evidence, obtain an overview of different research methodologies and learn how to analyse and apply evidence and data. Ethical issues in research and the implications of planning service change will be explored.
†The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
Some of the assessment will be led by your tutors but you will also be encouraged to engage in peer and self-assessment to help you develop the skills of reflection and evaluation which are essential for lifelong learning, and your continued professional development once you qualify as a paramedic.
Some of the assessments will focus on theoretical knowledge and application of theory and others on the practical performance of technical skills and application of patient management. Detailed guidance of what is expected, and the assessment criteria will be provided for each module.
The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly – usually within 15 working days after the submission date (unless stated differently above)..
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances or observations; and written exams, such as formal examinations or in-class tests. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.
All relevant work experience that you have undertaken to date should be included and importantly, how this work experience influenced your values and behaviours.
You must show evidence of a good understanding of the breadth of care delivered by paramedics, preferably indicated by some form of interactive or observational work experience. You must also demonstrate an understanding of the autonomous role that paramedics play in assessing, managing and referring patients as well as the importance of and engagement with essential professional values and behaviours that bring about high quality, compassionate care.
In addition, you should be able to articulate realistic expectations of the programme and the demands of clinical placements.
To increase employability prospects, students are encouraged to obtain a full driving licence by the end of the programme.
Student as Producer is a model of teaching and learning that encourages academics and undergraduate students to collaborate on research activities. It is a programme committed to learning through doing.
The Student as Producer initiative was commended by the QAA in our 2012 review and is one of the teaching and learning features that makes the Lincoln experience unique.
| 2018/19 | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per level | £15,600 per level |
| Part-time | £77.00 per credit point† | N/A |
| Placement (optional) | Exempt | Exempt |
| 2019/20 | UK/EU | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,250 per level | £15,900 per level |
| Part-time | £77.00 per credit point† | N/A |
| Placement (optional) | Exempt | Exempt |
†Please note that not all courses are available as a part-time option.
The University undergraduate tuition fee may increase year on year in line with government policy. This will enable us to continue to provide the best possible educational facilities and student experience.
Tuition fees for additional activity are payable by the student/sponsor and charged at the equivalent £ per credit point rate for each module. Additional activity includes:
- Enrolment on modules that are in addition to the validated programme curriculum
- Enrolment on modules that are over and above the full credit diet for the relevant academic year
- Retakes of modules as permitted by the Board of Examiners
Exceptionally tuition fees may not be payable where a student has been granted a retake with approved extenuating circumstances.
For more information and for details about funding your study, please see our UK/EU Fees & Funding pages or our International funding and scholarship pages. [www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/undergraduatecourses/feesandfunding/] [www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/international/feesandfunding/]
For each course students may find that there are additional costs. These may be with regard to the specific clothing, materials or equipment required, depending on their subject area. Some courses provide opportunities for students to undertake field work or field trips. Where these are compulsory, the cost for the travel, accommodation and meals may be covered by the University and so is included in the fee. Where these are optional students will normally (unless stated otherwise) be required to pay their own transportation, accommodation and meal costs.
With regards to text books, the University provides students who enrol with a comprehensive reading list and our extensive library holds either material or virtual versions of the core texts that students are required to read. However, students may prefer to purchase some of these for themselves and will therefore be responsible for this cost. Where there may be exceptions to this general rule, information will be displayed in a section titled Other Costs below.
GCE Advanced Levels: BBC
International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit.
Applications are welcomed from students who are studying towards an Access to Higher Education programme. A minimum of 45 level 3 credits, to include 30 at merit or above will be required.
This programme also requires 3 GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English Language, Maths and Science, or equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2.
Certificates of all previous qualifications will need to be provided before any offers are confirmed.
Other requirements include:
When you choose Paramedic Science in your UCAS application, you will be asked an additional question regarding criminal convictions. Here you must declare all spent and unspent criminal convictions including (but not limited to) cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar and details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices, penalty notices for disorder, ASBOs or VOOs.
Further information can be found at http://www.isa-gov.org.uk
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk.
Throughout this degree, students may receive tuition from professors, senior lecturers, lecturers, researchers, practitioners, visiting experts or technicians, and they may also be supported in their learning by other students.
Sarah Christopher
Programme Leader BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science
Sarah is a qualified paramedic of 21 years experience, six of which have been in paramedic education. She is the Programme Lead for Paramedic Science with research experience in both clinical and educational areas.
Most paramedics work for the NHS and are recruited and employed by individual trust ambulance services. Job opportunities will vary from region to region.
Paramedics are also employed by the armed forces, private ambulance services, overseas health departments and oil and gas exploration companies. Non-clinical careers exist in teaching, research, management and administration, health and safety and training and development.
With experience, you may become a team leader or service manager. You could join a specialist team, or with extra training and qualifications you could become a specialist paramedic taking on more responsibility for treatment and decision making in emergency situations.
The University Careers and Employability Team offer qualified advisors who can work with students to provide tailored, individual support and careers advice during their time at the University. As a member of our alumni we also offer one-to-one support in the first year after completing a course, including access to events, vacancy information and website resources; with access to online vacancies and virtual resources for the following two years.
This service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice and interview preparation to help you maximise our graduates future opportunities.
The service works closely with local, national and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.
Visit our Careers Service pages for further information http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/campuslife/studentsupport/careersservice/.
Paul Bramwell, Senior LecturerParamedics are in demand across the UK, and this new course is an exciting opportunity for the University to lead on the development of the paramedic profession in partnership with local healthcare placement providers.
Students learn in fully-equipped clinical suites for simulated practice, with separate teaching and observation areas. The University has invested £19 million in the Sarah Swift Building, a new dedicated facility for the Schools of Health and Social Care and Psychology. The building will include advanced clinical simulation facilities for those studying Paramedic Science.
At Lincoln, we constantly invest in our campus as we aim to provide the best learning environment for our undergraduates. Whatever the area of study, the University strives to ensure students have access to specialist equipment and resources, to develop the skills, which they may need in their future career.
The University has invested more than £300 million in its buildings and facilities. Further plans to invest in additional facilities, along with the refurbishment of existing buildings across our campus, are underway.
This course has not been running at the University of Lincoln for a period long enough to provide its own data for the Key Information Set provides by Unistats.com. Data is currently drawn from similar subjects at the University of Lincoln rather than from this specific subject. If you would like to know more about this course we would strongly recommend that that you meet us at our next open day. Alternatively, talk to us about your future at the University of Lincoln by calling +44 (0) 1522 886644.