Studying paramedic science

Everything you need to know about applying for and studying Paramedic Science at the University of Stirling.

Applicant event for Paramedic Studies

Watch the recording of our applicant event which took place on the 7th March 2022.

Take a virtual tour

Our virtual tour is the perfect way to see what the University of Stirling has to offer.

Compulsory admission criteria

Information on compulsory admission criteria and how to upload documents to our applicant portal.

Submitting videos

As part of your application, we need you to create and submit a short video. 

Course reading

Find out more about our recommended reading for Paramedic Science students.

Course information

You can find information about the course and modules on the BSc Paramedic Science course page.

Conditional and unconditional places

Conditional places mean that you have yet to meet the academic requirements for entry to the course. You will need to upload a copy of your qualification certificate(s) to the Applicant Portal once received for our consideration. We also require you to pass compulsory checks including Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme (any applicant resident outside the UK within the last 5 years will also have to obtain criminal records clearance from their countries of residence). Applicants must also be passed as fit by Occupational health before we can finally confirm your place on the course.

Unconditional places mean that you have met the academic requirements for entry to the course. However, this is still subject to you passing further compulsory checks including Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme (any applicant resident outside the UK within the last 5 years will also have to obtain criminal records clearance from their countries of residence). Applicants must also be passed as fit by Occupational health before we can finally confirm your place on the course. 

Course details

The HCPC requires that students complete all theory and practice modules. You are required to attend all theory and placement learning related sessions to meet the HCPC requirements to register as a paramedic.

There is a 50:50 split between placement time and theory. All students will be provided with a programme flowchart (timetable) for the length of their study.

On average, during first year, there will be approximately 400 students in the shared lectures on the BSc Paramedic Science course as the initial modules are shared with mental health and adult nursing students. When undertaking tutorials, seminars, workshops, and skills teaching, the groups are much smaller.

Paramedic uniforms

Paramedics will receive a tunic top similar to nursing students and cargo trousers, with the addition of Scottish Ambulance Service personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes high-vis jacket, soft shell jacket, helmet, safety boots and chemical/debris gloves. The uniforms highlight that students are with University of Stirling.

Leave and holidays

Paramedic students can expect a total of 7 weeks of annual leave during each year of the course. This differs from the wider university community due to the HCPC course requirements for theory and practice hours.

Exact dates will be confirmed at the start of the programme on your flowchart (timetable). Students must be aware that they are not allowed to take holidays outside of the allocated periods.

Please do not book any travel before seeing your timetable.

Placements

Most placements will be within NHS Forth Valley, NHS Fife and NHS Tayside. Please be aware of the geographic area for each NHS Health area.

You will need to familiarise yourself with travel options prior to commencing your placements. Travel arrangements will differ from placement to placement.

Support for you

There is a University accessibility and inclusion service for all students.

Once, students have registered with the university accessibility and inclusion service students will gain support from the Faculty. Within the Faculty, there is a named accessibility and inclusion officer who provides support for students whilst on campus and when attending placement.

Transport and parking

Most placement areas can be reached by public transport. However, in some cases, students will need to drive to certain practice learning placements and so those students with cars will be asked to share this information at the beginning of their programme. It may be possible to car share with other students with negotiation at practice placement areas. It is worth noting that many shift patterns with the Scottish Ambulance Service commence/end when public transport runs a sparse timetable or does not run services. Ambulance stations can be located in villages/towns that do not have regular public transport services.

In order to gain employment with an Ambulance Service you will require to have a driving license with Category C1 included.

Getting to the University and parking

Find out more