Academic entry requirements apply to all applicants, including mature students. The minimum academic entry requirements applicants will require are as follows:
Level 2
5 GCSEs at Grade C + including:
- Maths
- English or Welsh Language
- Science
Level 3: A-Levels / BTEC / Access to Higher Education
- 3 A-Levels at Grade B (BBB). A Science A-Level is preferable.
- BTEC Extended Diploma (DDM)
This is equivalent to 120 UCAS Tariff Points.
Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma courses in health or science subjects are accepted with the specifications below.
The required Access to HE Diploma grades are:
- 24 Distinctions
- 18 Merits
- 3 Passes
The credits should consist at minimum of:
- 15 Level-2 credits and
- 45 Level-3 credits (graded)
Any additional credits that may be undertaken require a minimum grade of Merit.
Level 4
A Higher Education Diploma, Certificate of Higher Education or Degree would negate the need for A-levels. A healthcare or science topic is preferable.
Academic Reference
All applicants must include a satisfactory academic reference from their last place of study. Applications without an academic reference will not be considered.
Accreditation/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Individuals with or without the above qualifications may have relevant experience that would afford them entry onto the programme. In these unique circumstances Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL) principles and processes can be used.
English Language Ability
Candidates must be able to communicate in English to a good standard as part of the professional requirements of the programme.
This will be measured as an equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no element below 6.5.
Driving License Requirements
It is expected that prior to the course commencing, candidates must have:
- A full (Category B) manual driving licence with a maximum of three penalty points.
- A Provisional Category C1.
A full Category C1 (or higher) is desirable but not essential.
Experience
Whilst experience is not essential, generally successful applicants have undertaken either voluntary or paid healthcare work. This can be within the ambulance service but does not have to be. Paramedicine is a caring profession and there are plenty of opportunities to develop communication skills, care and compassion in wider healthcare:
- Community, Older People & Domiciliary Care
- Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW)
- Call Handler
- Emergency Medical Dispatcher
- Non-Emergency Patient Transport
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Successful candidates need to supply a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Applicants will be required to pay for their own DBS check.
Occupational Health
An Occupational Health assessment is required confirming that applicants are fit to undertake the programme. A vaccination policy is followed and all students will require vaccinations unless medically exempt.