Paramedic Science Foundation Degree / 2014
This course will enable you to train as a paramedic, providing immediate assistance to patients in the emergency pre-hospital care environment. The degree combines learning in the workplace with academic study and is delivered by St George’s, University of London and Kingston University in conjunction with NHS Ambulance Trusts.
Paramedic Science Foundation Degree Two years, full time Apply through UCAS code B780, institution code S49 UCAS deadline is 15 January UK and EU citizens may apply Accreditation: Health and Care Professions Council Highlights
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You will spend 1,500 hours over your degree on placement with one of the busiest ambulance services in the world, London Ambulance Service (LAS)
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Shared campus with one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK
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This course is taught in partnership with Kingston University. You will benefit from a large, multi-faculty experience combined with the health science expertise offered by St George’s, University of London
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Careers advice embedded into our teaching
Learning
Modules are taught throughout the academic year on two sequential days per week, although some modules do require attendance every day for a full week. Some modules are delivered online or at one of the ambulance trust education centres. A course plan for the year will tell you when you are studying on campus at St George’s and when you must attend a seminar at an ambulance centre. All the centres are based in London and are accessible by public transport. In addition to the face-to-face learning, students spend on average 20 hours per week working online, assimilating information, performing activities and undertaking self-directed learning. Delivery may vary from one module to another, but the team at St George’s will ensure you are always properly guided and advised. Work-based placements across London are interspersed throughout the two years. These help you link the theoretical knowledge you gain at lectures and seminars with your practical experiences, so you learn how best to deliver patient care.
Degree structure
The modules covered throughout the two years provide an introduction to the basic theories underpinning the health sciences and specialist teaching in subjects related to paramedic science.
Year one
Weeks
Modules/placement
Taught
Foundations of Paramedic Science
Taught
Out of Hospital Care
Taught
Paramedic Portfolio
Clinical
21
Ambulance placement
Year two Weeks
Modules/placement
Taught
Foundations of Paramedic Science
Taught
Out of Hospital Care
Taught
Paramedic Portfolio
Clinical
4
Clinical
21
Assessing your progress
Hospital placement Ambulance placement We employ a range of assessment methods including: Assignments, essays, reports, multiple choice exams, presentations and clinical practice assessments.
Your future
This course prepares graduates to join ambulance teams – assessing, treating and transporting sick and injured people and helping individuals, families and groups meet their healthcare needs in an emergency or crisis. With further study, graduates may specialise in extended care, critical care, management or research. Through The Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education at St George’s graduates can top-up their Foundation Degree with Continuing Personal and Professional Development (CPPD) modules to a Bachelor’s Degree.
During my London Ambulance Service (LAS) placement, the most extraordinary experience was comforting a teenager who feared that they might be HIV positive. My job, it turned out, was to listen without judging, explain things clearly, provide reassurance where I could, and advice. Practical skills are vital, but no more so than the ability to empathise and communicate with patients. Matt Whitehouse Paramedic Science Foundation Degree Second Year
Entry requirements If you meet the minimum requirements set out below, you will be called for interview. With the exception of GCSEs, all qualifications must be completed within a five-year period including year of application.
Nationality Citizen of the UK, EU or EEA or individual with indefinite leave to remain
GCSEs or equivalent Grades
A* to C
Subjects
A minimum of five subjects to include English Language, Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics or Double Award Science. If you studied under an educational system that did not include GCSEs we will consider your academic record at the equivalent stage. However, we will not accept Adult Literacy and Numeracy or Functional Maths in leiu of GCSEs.
A Levels or equivalent A Levels Grades
BCC
Subjects
Three A2 Level subjects to include at least one science subject, excluding Sociology General Studies and Key Skills not accepted A Levels must be completed within two years, modular re-sits will be considered International Baccalaureate
Award
Full award diploma with an overall minimum score of 24
Scores
544 at Higher Level (HL) 444 at Standard Level (SL)
Subjects
Biology or Chemistry (Score 5 at HL) Mathematics and English Language (at SL) Access Diploma
Award
Full award diploma
Scores
60 credits at level 3
Grades
18 credits at distinction 27 credits at merit
Subjects 30 science-related credits, specifically Biology modules graded at distinction (science-related diploma) or merit, excludes Sociology. Additional credits
With the exception of GCSE equivalents (where required) any other Level 3 credits outside the 60 credits diploma will not be accepted.
Other
If no GCSE English and Maths, you must achieve 12 level 3 GCSE English equivalent credits and 12 level 2 GCSE Maths equivalent credits in addition to the 60 credit diploma. Course transcript and/or syllabus may have to be provided. All units must be verified GCSE equivalent by the local Open College Network London Region (OCNLR). Other qualifications
14-19 Diploma
Overall grade C in one of the following lines of learning, with an additional A2 Level in a science subject at grade C Construction and the Built Environment, Engineering or Health, Society & Development
Advanced GNVQ
AGNVQ Science at Distinction and Human Biology at A Level with a minimum grade B
National Diploma (BTEC)
Distinction, Merit, Merit in a science or healthcare-related subject
National Certificate (BTEC)
Distinction, Merit in a healthcare-related subject and supplemented with an additional science A Level
IELTS Pearsons test Nationality
GCSEs or equivalent
Open University
A Levels or equivalent English language > IB > i f first language > Access diploma is not English > Other qualifications
Other essential criteria > work experience > personal statement > health screening > police screening
90 Units at level 1 and 2 Level 1: Exploring Science module, 60 units Level 2: Any other science, social science or healthcare based module, 30 units If you do not have Maths GCSE A* to C, you will need to complete the Discovering Mathematics module, 30 units All results must be received and verified by us by 1 September of the year of entry.
University of East Anglia
Certificate of Higher Education in Emergency Medical Care, two years, 120 credits
Merit Birkbeck College Certificate in Life Science Undergraduate Science or health-related degree
2.2 awarded in the past five years Please note places are limited and dependant upon availability in the Ambulance Trust. Graduate Entry, one year full-time.
English language If English is not your first language while studying, evidence of your proficiency must be dated within the last two years. IELTS
(International English Language Testing System) 7.0 overall (including 7.0 in written element, and no section less than 6.5)
Pearsons test
67 overall (including 67 in written element, and no section less than 61) *Applicants who have sat the examination more than twice in one year will not be considered.
Other essential criteria Work experience
Work or voluntary experience in a medical or health-related field and an ability to demonstrate a broad awareness of the scope of Paramedic Science. For further information on work experience please visit the ‘Experience it’ section at www.tasteofmedicine.com
Personal statement
Must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the paramedic sciences, and an awareness of and interest in the potential career opportunities.
Health and Police Screening
Satisfactory clearance in both, including immunisation against Hepatitis B, MMR, Meningitis, TB and Chicken Pox.
Driving License
As a registered paramedic you are not required to hold a driving license. However it will be easier to secure a job when you graduate if you do have a current driving license with no more than three points on it.
Professional registration
If you belong to a registered professional body, please provide details at interview.
Application and interview Please apply through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) by 15 January (the year of entry). www.ucas.com Interviews are held after the application closing date, and take the form of multi-mini interviews. Multi-mini interviews combine traditional-style questions with task-based activities, providing a high level of interaction and the opportunity to demonstrate more than just a taught knowledge of the field of paramedic science. For more information on interviews, please visit the ‘Scrubbing up’ section at www.tasteofmedicine.com
Fees UK /EU
£8,000 p/a* *2013 entry fees are subject to annual review and change. UK /EU students will not have to pay the cost of tuition upfront; students can apply for a tuition fee loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. And there are generous bursaries available to help students from lower-income families.
sgul.ac.uk The University of London comprises 18 institutions. St George’s is now the only stand-alone medical school within the federation; combining all the benefits of a small, friendly university with those of one of the UK’s largest and most diverse. We hope this booklet gives some real insight into completing a Paramedic Science Foundation Degree at St George’s. In short, you can undertake a specialist undergraduate degree here on a hospital site in a thriving London location, leading, we trust, to an extraordinary future in the health professions. E enquiries@sgul.ac.uk T +44 (0)20 8725 2333
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St George’s, University of London Cranmer Terrace London SW17 0RE Design and copy: Crescent Lodge Photography: Lee Funnell Print: Principal Colour The material contained in this booklet is a guide only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that its content is correct and up-to-date at the time of printing, St George’s, University of London reserves the right, without prior notice, to cease to offer programmes of study, or to amend curricula, methods and modes of teaching and assessment, entry requirements and any other details. St George’s, University of London confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities and endeavours to avoid discrimination against any person on the grounds of religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status or politics. We strive to ensure that all members of the institution behave with courtesy towards each other and that students and staff can work in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We encourage applications from members of groups that are currently under-represented.