MSc Paramedic Science (Pre-reg)

Why choose Herts?

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) accreditation: You will be eligible to apply for registration on completion of the MSc Paramedic Science (pre-registration), subject to our application approval.
Specialist facilities: Benefit from experiential learning through our simulation areas and clinical skills labs.
Frontline experience: Gain clinical experience through our excellent partnership with the London Ambulance Service.

A 2:2 honours degree in a science or health-related subject.

GCSE English, Maths and Science at grade 4 / C or above (or equivalent).

All applicants should normally have studied successfully at Level 6 or above in the five years prior to commencement of the programme, or demonstrable equivalent healthcare/scientific experience.

Please check our country-specific international qualification requirements.

An IELTS score of 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 achieved in any one band) or equivalent is required if English is not the first language. If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English courses can help you to achieve this level.

Suitable applicants will be invited to interview.The interview will assess your suitability for the programme, including your motivation to study the course and your insight into the paramedic profession. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate suitable attributes required for the role of a student paramedic, and demonstrate the necessary values and behaviours required of NHS staff, as laid out in the NHS Constitution. Offers are made based on interview performance, and the number of places available on the course.

Applicants are strongly advised to be in possession of a full UK driving licence (with a maximum of 3 penalty points) with category B (car). Applicants are also encouraged to have a provisional/full C1 category on their licence at the earliest opportunity, to maximise employment opportunities on completion of the programme.

Applicants must be fit to undertake clinical placements, which will involve ambulance duties. This includes (but is not limited to):

lifting and carrying of equipment
climbing flights of stairs
moving and handling patients
undertaking a variety of shifts, including night-work
working in potentially hazardous / volatile situations

If invited to interview, applicants will be asked to disclose any criminal conviction (spent or unspent), caution, reprimand, final warning, ongoing police investigation or driving offence that has led to a criminal conviction. Declaration of any of the activities identified above will NOT automatically rule out an applicant; each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Successful applicants will be subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and Occupational Health (OH) Screening on commencement of the programme.

The programme commences in January. We do not accept applicants at a later point in the academic year on to the programme. We do not accept applicants directly to Year 2 of the programme.

The course is a full-time programme of study, with attendance required either at the University or in practice placements. Practice placements occur throughout the programme and are with London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Students are responsible for getting themselves to and from placements (which will include unsocial hours working).


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Health and Social Work
Course length	Full Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability
Careers

Your career prospects are excellent, due to the high demand for registered paramedics in urgent and emergency care settings. Upon graduating from this MSc Paramedic Science, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

What job can I get?

Most graduates of the MSc Paramedic Science (pre-registration) become Newly Qualified Paramedics (NQP) with an NHS Ambulance Service, but there are many other roles and opportunities available to you with this qualification across NHS Trusts, private healthcare organisations, as well as the military and voluntary sector. Typical roles beyond the NQP include:
- Specialist Paramedic (SP) or Advanced Paramedic (AP) in critical care, urgent care, primary care, telehealth (111)
- Helicopter / Search and rescue
- Event medics
- Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART)
- Wilderness / Remote medical support
- Research/development, education or management.
Work placement

Practice placements occur throughout the programme and are with London Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Students are responsible for getting themselves to and from placements (this will include unsocial hours working).

Your primary clinical placement will be with London Ambulance Service (LAS). You will undertake an unparalleled practice-based learning experience with the busiest emergency ambulance service in the UK in one of the world's most dynamic cities. The LAS serves nine million residents and visitors across 620 square miles, handles around two million 999 calls annually and responds to over 3,000 emergencies daily. Our practice-based learning with LAS will immerse you in diverse medical emergencies and innovative patient care practices, preparing you for a rewarding paramedic career.

Professional Accreditations

Graduates of the MSc Paramedic Science (pre-registration) will be eligible to apply for registration to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), subject to approval of The University of Hertfordshire's HCPC accreditation application.

About the course

Our exciting MSc Paramedic Science (pre-registration) degree is for graduates with a degree in a relevant health or scientific field wishing to extend their knowledge, skills and clinical expertise to become a paramedic. Paramedics are highly skilled healthcare practitioners, providing urgent or emergency care in a wide range of pre-hospital and out-of-hospital environments. The course encourages the study of medical, behavioural and sociological sciences, enabling you to understand the holistic aspects of patient care.

Successful completion of this two-year, full-time master's in paramedic science will enable to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a paramedic, to deliver treatment to patients with urgent, emergency and unscheduled healthcare needs.

Why choose this course?

Develop the knowledge and skills to qualify as a newly registered paramedic.
Benefit from our excellent partnership with the London Ambulance Service for placement opportunities.
Be inspired by a highly experienced and research-active paramedic teaching team and academic staff.
Enjoy practice-based learning, supported by experienced paramedic practice educators.
Learn through specialist simulation facilities.
Leverage our world-wide family of paramedic science alumni.
Eligible to apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund, including a training grant.

What will I study?

Building on your undergraduate experience, you will advance your knowledge and clinical skills to practise as a paramedic, as well as enhancing your teamworking and decision-making skills in complex and high pressure situations.

Year 1 of the MSc Paramedic Science degree focuses on the foundations of being a paramedic and healthcare professional, key clinical skills, and recognising and managing acute medical presentations. You will also learn to manage patients with complex needs, with your clinical placement consolidating these skills.

In Year 2, you will cover resuscitation and critical care, managing minor illnesses and injuries, clinical pharmacology, research methods and will undertake an individual research project and clinical placement to refine your clinical decision-making and prepare for autonomous practice.

Modules of study prepare you for the wide range of patients and medical conditons you will encounter, and co-curricular opportunities are offered to further enhance your learning:

Membership of UH Student Paramedic Society
Student Membership of the College of Paramedics
CPD events offered by College of Paramedics and local NHS Trusts
Work with students on our BSc programme, and paramedics on our Advanced Paramedic Practice programme

You will benefit from our strong industry connections, with visiting lecturers providing advanced paramedic practice, and opportunities to take part in research projects run by the UH Centre for Applied Clinical, Health and Care Research (CACHE). You'll also attend local and national conferences.

The MSc Paramedic Science is delivered through a variety of lectures and practical sessions, approximately 18 hours per week. Placement blocks feature throughout both years of the programme. Assessment methods include essays, practicals, presentations, posters and tests.

Where will I study?

Based on our College Lane campus, you’ll be inspired through our specialist facilities, including clinical skills laboratories and simulation areas. You’ll have access to a wide range of equipment that will prepare you for your clinical placement. This includes models to help you understand the relevant clinical anatomy; ‘part-task’ trainers to practice skills such as intravenous access and airway management; and high-fidelity manikins that simulate abnormal physiologies. Our lecturing and technical staff will set up simulated scenarios for you to manage, in a range of environments, including our Simulation Ambulance. These can be captured on high-definition video cameras for de-briefing and feedback to develop your learning.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Paramedic Practice-based Learning 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
In this practice-based learning module, student paramedics will develop a safe and confident approach, applying evidence-based patient assessment and management strategies across diverse clinical settings. The curriculum emphasises the importance of effective communication in healthcare, ethical and professional standards, and the significance of feedback and self-reflection in ongoing professional development. Students learn to take comprehensive patient histories, manage interactions professionally and safely, and utilise clinical skills to deliver patient-centred care, demonstrating proficiency in managing various patient presentations while making informed decisions on conveyance or referral when necessary.
Clinical Skills for Urgent & Emergency Care	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module familiarises students with the paramedic setting, equipment, and communication techniques while teaching the fundamentals of patient assessment within the paramedic scope. It equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct initial patient assessments and basic life support (BLS) as needed
Paramedic Practice-based Learning 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to advance students' clinical reasoning, leadership abilities, and expertise in patient assessment and management, preparing them for independent practice as newly qualified paramedics. It encompasses comprehensive clinical assessment techniques, ethical decision-making, and effective communication, emphasising continuous improvement. Students also acquire clinical leadership skills, employ evidence-based decision-making, and adapt their skills to dynamic patient care situations.

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Foundations of Paramedic Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module is designed to prepare students for excellence in paramedic practice by providing them with advanced knowledge, critical thinking skills, and practical competencies. It emphasises the importance of evidence-based care, legal and ethical considerations, the management of cognitive bias, professionalism, interprofessional collaboration, social and behavioural awareness, safeguarding expertise, and the promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare. By focusing on these key areas, students will be well-equipped to deliver safe, ethical, and equitable care in diverse healthcare settings while continuously improving their practice through evidence-based principles and collaboration with healthcare professionals
Acute Medical Presentations	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on current evidence informing approaches to a wide range of acute presentations commonly encountered in Paramedic practice. The module will develop students' patient assessment, management, and clinical reasoning skills to prepare them for contemporary clinical practice.
Complex Care in Paramedic Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores various complex presentations encountered in paramedic practice, expanding upon the foundational skills acquired in the acute presentations module. It enhances students' proficiency in handling complex patient groups, such as paediatrics, maternity, frailty, major incidents, and mental health.
Resuscitation, trauma & the critically ill patient	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module emphasises advanced proficiency in critical care and resuscitation. It teaches the identification of critically unwell patients, evidence-based care delivery, and strategies for unique situations like cardiac arrest, trauma, and obstetric emergencies. Students analyse clinical literature and apply the latest research to airway management. Effective teamwork within healthcare teams, utilising crew resource management and debriefing for improvement, is a core skill. The module spans all age groups, from neonates to the elderly, and covers advanced life support techniques.
Clinical Pharmacology	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module offers a comprehensive exploration of pharmacology, integrating pathophysiology and patient assessment to advance holistic patient care. Topics encompass pharmacological mechanisms (pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics), resistance, reactions, toxicology, overdoses, substance interactions, medico-legal aspects, and non-medical prescribing principles.
Research Methods and Preparation for Research Project	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to cultivate an appreciation for research methods and the current healthcare evidence base while recognising the research process stages. It emphasises the significance of patient and public involvement and delves into ethical and governance issues. Participants will learn to search, retrieve, and evaluate research evidence, compare data collection and analysis approaches, and critique existing research, equipping them to apply rigorous evidence in decision-making within healthcare practice.
Research Project	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module equips students to independently conduct research related to paramedic practice. It involves critical discussions of various research approaches, data collection, and analysis strategies. Students learn to appraise evidence and its implications for paramedic practice, while also evaluating ethical, professional, and practical research issues. They gain skills in conducting literature searches, formulating research questions, and developing and submitting research work to address these questions. This comprehensive module enables students to contribute to the paramedic field through evidence-based research.

Key staff

Principal Lecturer Phil Withers

Find out more about Principal Lecturer Phil Withers

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MSc Paramedic Science (Pre-registration)	Download

Programme specifications
MSc Paramedic Science (Pre-registration)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £10395 for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

2024
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
20/01/2025 31/01/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)
2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
20/01/2026 31/01/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Full Time)

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MSc Paramedic Science (Pre-reg)

Why choose Herts?

Careers

What job can I get?

Work placement

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Where will I study?

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

2024

2025