Become a Paramedic

You need to apply to an undergraduate degree programme as a direct entry or join an employer who sponsors employees through the Paramedic science degree.

For a list of approved courses please see the HCPC list.

Most courses entry requirements will expect you to have equivalent education to 3 A-Levels at BBB. There are alternative entry routes however you will need to have sufficient academic qualifications in order to satisfy the entry requirements of the institution you are applying for as all will have a minimum criteria to ensure success at undertaking degree level study.

In order to become a Paramedic you need to complete an approved programme delivering a BSc in Paramedic Science from an approved education provider. There are currently 71 approved programmes in the UK.

Typically most courses will require 112-120 UCAS points. These will usually expect at least one science and evidence of English and Maths. 

Being well prepared for the interview is essential for success. Preparing for likely questions, doing research into the role of the paramedic and institution providing the course and seeking advice from currently employed Paramedics will prepare you for interview.

Questions are often around the role of the paramedics, your personal values and why you want to be a Paramedic. There may be other questions around the NHS core values.

Most undergraduate degrees are 3 years full time. There are some post-graduate options with different time scales.

Paramedics provide urgent unscheduled care in a variety of settings, most commonly working in ambulance services responding to emergency calls. They are expected to be able to asses, identify and treat medical and traumatic conditions in patients of all ages.

You will be trained to drive what is in effect a mobile emergency clinic and to resuscitate and/or stabilise patients using sophisticated techniques, equipment and drugs for a range of conditions.

You will also often work alongside the police and fire and rescue services.

You will work closely with other healthcare teams in the community, such as GPs, occupational therapists, mental health teams, diabetes specialists, doctors and nurses in hospital emergency departments.

The role is incredibly varied and the skill set is sought after meaning Paramedics are increasingly working in alternative settings such as hospital, GP practices, call centers and in the private sector.

There is opportunity for career progression and Paramedics are now found working in many different areas of healthcare both in the public and private sectors providing much variety. Some examples of where Paramedics could work are:

• NHS Ambulance Paramedic
• NHS Primary and Secondary care (urgent care centres, mental health, and community settings, for example)
• NHS Acute Trusts (ED roles, for example)
• Private Sector Ambulance Paramedic
• Private Sector Events
• Telephone triage systems (including NHS 111)
• GP Surgeries
• National NHS Services, including NHS England, Health Education England, NHS Digital
• Local Authority
• Higher Education
• Military
• Offshore and Remote
• Helicopter Emergency Medical services
• Hazardous Area Response Teams
• Special Operations Response Teams
• International Services

Being a Paramedic is certainly a challenging career. You will be exposed to vicarious trauma, highly emotive situations and high stress levels on a daily basis. You will need to be emotionally and mentally resilient and have good physical health and self awareness to ensure you stay healthy. Paramedics will work shift patterns that often cover 24 hours 365 days a year, this has an impact and it can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Paramedics are at a higher risk than the general population of mental health injury as well as physical injury and illnesses.

Being a Paramedic can be highly rewarding. Paramedics are in a relatively unique position that they are expected to work in an autonomous fashion from the point of registration, this means there is a strong emphasis on personal development and continued learning.

Starting salary of an NHS Paramedic is approximately £27,000, increasing to £34,000 within two years typically. After 7 years as a Paramedic a salary could be £40,000.

These earnings are in the average range when compared to other jobs, but money is probably not the main reason why people become paramedics. It's more likely the opportunity to help people in need that stands out to individuals.

Due to the variety of roles and focus on autonomy within unscheduled care the Paramedic skill set is highly sought after and provides many opportunities for career progression. The College of Paramedics suggests there are four main domains of career progression titled ‘The Pillars of Paramedic Practice’. These are clinical, management, education and research.

Irish nationals and those with settlement status are eligible for the NHS Bursary. This includes both students from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland (by the Common Travel Area arrangement).  Find out more about applying to Swansea University as an Irish student and the NHS Wales Bursary Irish Student Guidance FAQ Complete PDF.