paramedic science at uni

welshgirl_michelle

Not sure where is best to place this post? I've always liked the idea of working within the Ambulance Service as a Paramedic. I currently work at the hospital and I also do some voluntary work for the Ambulance Service as a Community First Responder.

I'm after advice as to where is the best place for me to do some research about possibly going to University? Wondering what sort of points etc I would need to be able to apply. I'm 27 so i'm wondering if I would qualify as a mature student?

Any advice is appreciated

RexBanner

welshgirl_michelle wrote: »

Not sure where is best to place this post? I've always liked the idea of working within the Ambulance Service as a Paramedic. I currently work at the hospital and I also do some voluntary work for the Ambulance Service as a Community First Responder.

I'm after advice as to where is the best place for me to do some research about possibly going to University? Wondering what sort of points etc I would need to be able to apply. I'm 27 so i'm wondering if I would qualify as a mature student?

Any advice is appreciated

I hadn't realised this was a Uni course these days, but the NHS site says:

The range of paramedic science courses at university varies in terms of entry requirements - but you will typically need a minimum of 5 GCSEs (including English, mathematics and/or a science) plus at least 2 A’ levels or equivalent qualifications.

Being 27 you'll likely be assessed for support on your own merits as opposed to what your parents earn. If you have the qualifications there's nothing stopping you.

A quick call to your nearest Uni would confirm: http://www.swan.ac.uk/humanandhealthsciences/undergraduate/paramedicscience/

juno

You are classed as a mature student which can sometimes mean unis will lower grade/subject requirements, but paramedic science isn't taught at many unis and so tends to be popular (and a lot of applicants are classed as mature) so really you're looking at meeting the standard entry requirements.

So you will need 3 A Levels or equivalent, such as a relevant Access course. If you have A Levels from when you were younger unis may ask you to complete some more recent study to show you can get back into things. The OU can be good for this, or maybe a night class at a local college, but without knowing your circumstances it's hard to suggest things.

You can do a course search on the UCAS site to see which unis offer the course, and start to decide to see which you're interested in. It is theoretically possible to start uni this September if you're that keen - you'll use Clearing - although as paramedic science is popular there may not be vacancies. Otherwise, you'd need to make an application through UCAS by January 15th 2013 to start next September (assuming you don't need to take A Levels/other qualifications over 2 years, when you'd then apply a year later. You can go to uni next year if you're doing a one year qualification with results before Aug 31st 2013).

Looking at the results of the UCAS search I did, some courses are a 2 year foundation degree whilst others are a 3 year BSc so you might want to look at the NHS jobs website to see if either qualification is more asked for from applicants. This is something applicants can overlook, but as you're doing it to get a job it's important to be employable after!

welshgirl_michelle

Thank you both for you replies