Check upcoming open days and book your place arrow
Research and Prep

How to become a paramedic: entry requirements

Thinking of studying a paramedical services course? We unpack the degree requirements needed for both in-year and Clearing paramedical services courses at UK universities.

Jamie Dobbs
by Jamie Dobbs
Last Updated:
10 Oct 2024

Great courses for this subject

Take a look

CONTENTS

What is paramedic science?

Paramedic science is the study of emergency care and how to help those at the scene of an accident. When an accident occurs, causing injury or distress, paramedics are the first responders. Typically working in a team of two, they treat patients at the scene or act as transport to a medical support facility.

Studying paramedic science will equip students with the ability to think quickly, respond to situations in an informed manner and provide urgent assistance. Paramedic science courses can cover the fundamentals of paramedic practice, using paramedic equipment, how to treat, diagnose and administer healthcare, and will involve a placement opportunity. 

Paramedic entry requirements 

The minimum UCAS points required to study a paramedic science degree ranges from 81 points (BCC at A-Level; MPP-MM at BTEC level) to 128 points (ABB at A-Level; DDM at BTEC level). 

Paramedic Degree Entry Requirements

Type Minimum grades/points required (with Foundation Year) Minimum grades/points required Maximum grades/points required Average grades/points required
UCAS Points - 104 128 112
A-levels - BCC ABB BBC
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma - MPP-MM DDM DMM-D*D
International Baccalaureate - 24 36 30

 


What qualifications do you need to be a paramedic?


A-levels

For most universities, you’ll need to have three A-levels, with one being a science-based A-level. Typically, general studies or critical thinking subjects are not accepted.

BTECs

You can be accepted onto most paramedic science courses with a BTEC qualification. You’ll need a DDM for the top universities, though you could find a place elsewhere with as little as MPP-MM.

GCSEs

You’ll need to have a minimum of five GCSE grades at grade C or higher, with most universities requiring English, mathematics and science.

Be aware that paramedic entry requirements will differ based on the university and the course being offered. Ensure you check this carefully before you apply.

If your UCAS points total doesn’t meet the minimum entry requirements, then you could consider studying a paramedic science degree integrated with a foundation year. Foundation years help prepare students without the necessary qualifications for degree-level learning in their chosen subject. Once you’ve completed the foundation year, you’ll go into year one of the degree programme. 

Entry requirements for a paramedic science degree with an integrated foundation don’t require you to have sat your A-levels. You'll need to have passed GCSE English and mathematics with a grade C or higher. Courses with foundation years are however more expensive. The foundation year will be charged at the same rate as a year on the degree.

Best universities for paramedic science UK

Our sister site, the Complete University Guide, publishes university league tables every year ranking UK unis nationally and in 70+ subject areas. Check out the latest rankings to see the best UK unis for paramedic science.

How to compare paramedic courses

You can compare paramedic science courses easily using Whatuni. The first step is to enter 'Paramedic Science' into Whatuni’s course search tool, which will give you a list of all the paramedic science courses available in the UK. To personalise your search, click ‘YOUR GRADES’ and fill out your grades in the onscreen form.

Search results on Whatuni for paramedic courses

You can then use the other filters to further personalise the results by the things that might be important to you. Once you’ve narrowed down the results, you can browse through them, clicking on the course name to see the full course information, including course outline, module choices, entry requirements, fee information and key course stats.

Paramedic course overview on Whatuni

Here are some factors to consider when comparing paramedic science courses:

Module choices

Not all paramedic science courses are created equal. Module choices can vary between courses so make sure to check that the modules on offer interest you and fit in with the career path you want to take. 

Course accreditation

Be sure to check that your course, upon completion, will make you eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Placement year opportunities

All paramedic science degrees offer a professional placement year as part of their course, where you can gain experience working in a real-life clinical setting. This experience will help boost your chances of finding work after you’ve graduated. 

How to compare paramedic courses in Clearing 

When Clearing opens this year, you'll be able to see what paramedic science courses are available, and compare them, using Whatuni’s Clearing tool.

Some universities lower course entry requirements during Clearing. You might find that you're eligible for courses you'd previously dismissed. You can see up to date entry requirements on the individual paramedic science course pages for each university right here on Whatuni.

In the meantime, pre-register for Clearing this year. You’ll receive regular advice leading up to Clearing, have access to Whatuni’s Clearing guide and be able to save and compare paramedic courses once Clearing begins.

What if you can’t find a paramedic science course in Clearing?

If you can’t find a paramedic science course through Clearing, there are alternative options available:

  • Apply for a paramedic foundation degree or HND/HNC: there are paramedic foundation degrees and paramedic HND/HNC courses that might have different entry requirements or levels of uptake that could mean you'll be able to get a place on them.
  • Apply for a paramedic apprenticeship: you could apply for a paramedic apprenticeship as an alternative to doing a bachelor’s. This will offer you the chance to study while also working and earning income. You'll need to apply with an ambulance service trust, and vacancies can be found on either the NHS job website or the Find an apprenticeship website. 
  • Apply to be a student paramedic: become a student paramedic with an ambulance service and study. The entry requirements are set by each service but typically require you to have at least five GCSEs, with a grade C or higher, including English, mathematics and science, or an equivalent qualification containing a health or science-related component. Student paramedic vacancies can be found on the NHS job website.
  • Take a gap year and resit your exams: if you have your heart set on a specific course, consider taking a year out to study more and resit your exams in autumn or next year. You could even gain relevant work experience to boost your UCAS application.

Great courses for this subject

Fancy seeing what courses are available for this excellent subject? We've got them all here!

Take a look

Similar articles