Paramedic Science

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? The experience you’ll gain at BNU is unique and focused on helping you gain the skills you need to answer the demands of the NHS. We combine academic theory, simulated patient care and practice-based experience to make sure you’re fully prepared to step into the paramedic role. We work with clinical partners like the South-Central Ambulance Service, NHS Foundation Trust and London Ambulance Service to offer you unique learning experiences that develop your confidence and help you understand the day to day life of a paramedic.

BNU gives you the opportunity to delve into the practical world of healthcare and understand how to provide for a broad range of illnesses and injuries in urgent, emergency and unscheduled care settings. In addition to providing high quality teaching, BNU is also committed to supporting students in their studies. A training grant of £5000 per year is available for eligible students, you can find out more through the NHS Business Services Authority. We also offer you the Big deal, which is an opportunity to get involved in events, societies, trips and extracurricular activities for free.

What facilities can I use? As a student on our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course, you'll have access to our incredible state-of-the-art simulation labs at both the High Wycombe and Uxbridge campuses. Simulation is an important aspect of our nursing and healthcare courses. Students regularly spend time in these areas to practice technical skills and use new technologies in a safe and supportive environment.

We use simulation manikins coursed to act like humans, and ‘moulage’ – the process of applying mock, often gorily realistic injuries for training purposes. We also engage service users in role-play sessions. We also have a mock ambulance, as well as the opportunity for you to experience a range of situations a paramedic may face in environments like a nightclub or bar..

What will I study? BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science will provide a route to registration as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To allow you to function effectively in different settings, our course will combine academic theory, simulated care and frontline practice placements to provide an environment with which to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to be an effective paramedic.

You will gain significant operational experience across a variety of settings, including NHS ambulance services, urgent care clinics, GP practices and within Acute Trusts. We will train you in areas like anatomy, physiology and pharmacology, as well as patient assessment, management of medical and trauma emergencies, advanced life support and resuscitation.

We'll also teach you important skills like clinical decision making and how to apply clinical research and evidence-based learning in your real-life environment. As part of the course you undertake placement in a supervised urgent and emergency care setting each year of study. Placements are an excellent way to network, learn from industry professionals and find out first-hand what the job of a paramedic is really like.

Career Prospects Our BSc (Hons) Paramedic Science course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities. Many of our graduates go on to work with an ambulance service in the public or private sector but there are also increasing opportunities to work elsewhere in health and social care.

Completing this course will make you eligible to register as a paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and provide you with the firm academic understanding and practical experience you’ll need to excel, whatever path you choose. Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.