Student Funding

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Yes, I thought that as well but according to melancholly's links that isn't possible anymore. That's why I deleted my post saying the same thing.

Ah, ok, I didn't see your post and didn't read the links. I know a guy who is doing this now too.

He started driving in 2004 and the last time I saw him was applying to train as a paramedic in this way. Are the changes very recent?

bestpud

Ytaya wrote: »

The links above confirm that it is possible to join an ambulance trust as a student paramedic. With this route, you don't need to do a university course first. You apply direct to the ambulance trust and, if accepted, they will employ and train you. However, competition is fierce. It can help to do things like voluntary observer shifts with your local paramedics first, to talk about in the application process.

I know ambulance trusts still do this because a friend of mine was just accepted as a student paramedic

I guess that is the route the guy I know is taking then. He is defintely not doing a uni course.

He said he'd still be working as a driver alongside his training.

mascott514

As a paramedic myself hopefully I can clear this one up a bit.
What we call Direct entry "student Paramedic" will be employed by a trust direct and will recieve in house training at various stages. They will recieve a pretty low salary to begin with (not sure but perhaps 16kish?) but the money will rise. On becoming a Paramedic at around 3 years they will be earning 25k ish plus a few benefits. Reastics earnings are £30k plus I guess, and then it rises each year.
The benfit of this method of entry is that you learn "on the job" and are paid all the way through. I know that my trust (London) is currently recriuting.

The second way is through a university degree. Most of those paramedic graduates i have met are from the university of Hertfordshire but others are now providing the degree course.
The good news is..... if you do the degree over 4 years you are given a sandwich year where you come and work on the rd as a Emergency Medical Technician. You will be paid for this. Also most Uni students will work for the various trusts during holidays and occaisional weekends helping to subsidise their studies.
At the end of the degree to are fully qualified as a Paramedic.

Either way has benefits but either way you should be able to fund yourself without too much trouble.

Good Luck......and its a really rewarding job at the end of it!