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    Paramedic Science - Integrated Masters (MSci)

    This four-year integrated masters is at the forefront of paramedic science education in the UK. It prepares you for a career in fast-paced emergency, urgent, primary and community-based care settings.

    Year of entry

    • 2023

    Course type

    • Single Honours

    UCAS code

    • B950

    Duration of study

    • 4 years
    Enquire about this course Book an open day Chat to students

    Why study Paramedic Science at Keele University?

    Endorsed by the College of Paramedics and Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council
    £5,000 non-repayable annual grant to support your studies
    Innovative integrated master’s course designed to help advance your career
    Facilities include a state-of-the-art anatomy and surgical training centre, emergency training ambulance and simulation houses
    Rotational clinical placement circuits in a range of practice areas

    Course overview

    Develop the resilience, attitude, and competencies required to work at the frontline of healthcare. The role of contemporary paramedics is challenging and evolving, with an expectation that paramedics will deliver high-quality care in a variety of health and social care environments and organisations. You will be based in the School of Medicine, which embraces a multidisciplinary approach to education.

    Advance your career in Paramedicine

    Paramedic Science with Integrated Masters at Keele combines a bachelor’s degree with a fourth year of study at master’s level where you will undertake advanced level modules. This additional year gives you the expertise for future career opportunities that could take you beyond working in the ambulance service, such as careers in leadership, management or research. The course aligns to the four pillars of advanced paramedic practice – clinical, leadership, education and research. Each pillar is associated with an array of future employment opportunities.

    Lifesaving clinical skills

    The course focuses on developing your lifesaving skills and clinical interventions in a range of locations. 50% of your time will be spent undertaking placements within the ambulance service and other settings, to develop your professional paramedic practice. You are expected to engage with the full range of shifts to reflect the demands of the 24/7 service.

    Course structure

    Year one explores the fundamental elements of paramedicine to enable you to gain the core competencies around patient assessment, drug administration, interventions, cardiac arrest management and life sciences such as anatomy and physiology. You will also focus on how to protect your own health and wellbeing as paramedic.

    In your second year you are introduced to evidence-based practice and will explore areas of medicine including pharmacology and pathophysiology. Year three focuses on how research informs paramedic practice and concentrates on key areas such as the care of children, the elderly and pregnant women. In the final year there are opportunities for enhanced practice to prepare you to work in a critical care environment and learn to diagnose and undertake minor injury assessment in a range of settings including emergency, urgent and primary care. You will acquire specialist clinical skills, start to explore the role of prescribing in paramedic practice and expand your research, leadership and educator abilities in preparation for an exciting career as a paramedic practitioner.

    Clinical Simulation

    Throughout the course you will build your confidence and competencies as a paramedic and you will be encouraged to reflect on your professional practice through dedicated hours of clinical simulation. Learning to reflect and critique your practice helps to improve your decision making and clinical reasoning techniques.  

    A range of different clinical scenarios are presented with simulated patients in a controlled and supportive environment. We also deliver multi-professional trauma days and major incident scenarios as part of the course and you will use specialist resources including; a fully equipped training ambulance, clinical skills lab, Keele's anatomy and surgical training centre and high-fidelity simulation in our health and crime houses.

    Interprofessional Education

    Interprofessional education enables you to study with students from other health related subjects such as medicine, nursing, radiography, social work, and physiotherapy. This allows you to learn with your current peer group in conditions that reflect your future employment environment. Developing your multidisciplinary working and problem-solving capabilities are essential attributes of modern paramedics.

    Strengthening your employability

    Placements

    50% of your time during your studies will be spent completing high quality placements across the West Midlands region. These are co-designed with our key stakeholder, the West Midlands Ambulance Service University NHS Foundation Trust. Placement opportunities will provide you with the broadest range of experiences within acute, primary and community settings such as the ambulance service, emergency departments, hospitals, walk-in-centres, mental health, general practice, maternity, community, and critical care.

    Year one placements are solely within the ambulance service, enabling you to become confident and familiar with the core working environment of a paramedic. In years two and three you will continue undertaking placements within the ambulance service and within other clinical settings such as hospital wards, general practice, maternity, walk-in centres, community and critical care so you can learn in greater depth.

    In your final year, in addition to the ambulance service you will benefit from opportunities to work in a critical care setting and in the 111 and emergency operations centre. Elective placements provide the opportunity to apply for placements in the UK or internationally.

    Throughout each placement opportunity you will complete a Practice Assessment Document to map the achievement of clinical skills required to manage patients within the clinical setting in which you are working in.

    Our expertise

    Experienced paramedic lecturers and clinicians teach on this programme along with additional high quality staff who have a range of medical expertise. Many of our staff are active in bioscience and health research, which informs our teaching and keeps the course relevant to the needs of the 21st century health system.

    Student Support

    You will benefit from excellent student support throughout the duration of your Paramedic Science Integrated Masters programme. An academic mentor is allocated to you at the start of the course, who will provide advice and guidance throughout the course.

    Our Faculty Student Experience and Support team offer support and advice and give one-to-one support to students within the School of Medicine.

    There is peer support, and additional help is available from the School's Disability Liaison Officer who provides an additional layer of support for all students, particularly for those who have special learning needs.

    You can also access plenty of student advice and support services at Keele including;

    • Learning Support and Academic Guidance
    • Disability Services
    • English Language Unit
    • Advice and Support at Keele SU (ASK)
    • Student Support Services
    • Occupational Health Department

    Next Steps

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    Professional Recognition

    Paramedic Science at Keele is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and endorsed by the College of Paramedics. Successful completion of the course provides you with the eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a registered paramedic.

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    Additional opportunities

    Foundation year Explore more

    There are a range of additional opportunities available when studying this course.
    Please note, undertaking one may impact upon the availability of another.

    Entry requirements

    Keele strives to be a place where learning, living and working is a positive experience for our entire community, and we're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of 'alternative offer' schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers which would be made to candidates along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

    Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom and International students.

    Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
    A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced plus Barring Lists) will be required for successful candidates. The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

    Health checks
    A satisfactory health check will be required for successful candidates.

    Interview
    Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

    Personal Statement
    Your personal statement will be taken into consideration as part of our admissions process.  Only original personal statements submitted with your application will be considered.

    A Level Requirements

    • A Level requirement: BBB

    To include Biology, Human Biology or Physical Education at grade B or above

    BTEC Requirements

    • BTEC requirements: DDM

    If you are not studying A-Level PE or Biology, then one of the following BTECs must be studied: Applied Human Biology, Health and Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, or Applied Science (should include Physiology of Human Body Systems optional module).

    International Baccalaureate Requirements

    • 30 points or H5, H5, H5. Must include Higher Level Biology.

    Access to HE Diploma Requirements

    • Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. To include at least 15 credits in Human Biology, Anatomy or Physiology.
      Applicants will still need to have 5 GCSEs at grade C/4.

    GCSE Requirements

    Minimum of 5 GCSEs in total at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent):

    • English Language at Grade C/4 or above (Functional Skills level 2 can be accepted as an equivalent) 
    • Maths at Grade C/4 or above (Functional Skills level 2 can be accepted as an equivalent)
    • Science at Grade C/4 or above

    International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

    • IELTS at level 7 with no element below 6.5

    If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

    Preparation programmes for international students

    International students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this course have the opportunity to study an International Foundation Year programme.

    These courses are designed to prepare international students to enter into Keele University undergraduate degrees.

    Next Steps

    Entry requirements

    The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don’t see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications. If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, you may be able to gain entry to this course via a Foundation Year.

    Additional information

    Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
    A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced plus Barring Lists) will be required for successful candidates. The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

    Health checks
    A satisfactory health check will be required for successful candidates.

    Interview
    Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

    Personal Statement
    Your personal statement will be taken into consideration as part of our admissions process.  Only original personal statements submitted with your application will be considered.

    A Level Requirements

    • A Level requirement: BBB

    To include Biology, Human Biology or Physical Education at grade B or above

    BTEC Requirements

    • BTEC requirements: DDM

    If you are not studying A-Level PE or Biology, then one of the following BTECs must be studied: Applied Human Biology, Health and Social Care, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, or Applied Science (should include Physiology of Human Body Systems optional module).

    International Baccalaureate Requirements

    • 30 points or H5, H5, H5. Must include Higher Level Biology.

    Access to HE Diploma Requirements

    • Obtain Access to Higher Education Diploma with 122 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 30 Level 3 credits at Distinction. To include at least 15 credits in Human Biology, Anatomy or Physiology.
      Applicants will still need to have 5 GCSEs at grade C/4.

    GCSE Requirements

    Minimum of 5 GCSEs in total at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent):

    • English Language at Grade C/4 or above (Functional Skills level 2 can be accepted as an equivalent) 
    • Maths at Grade C/4 or above (Functional Skills level 2 can be accepted as an equivalent)
    • Science at Grade C/4 or above

    International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

    • IELTS at level 7 with no element below 6.5

    Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for International students.

    English Language Requirements

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    Alternative and contextual offers

    We're committed to ensuring equality of opportunity to all our applicants with the potential and motivation to succeed, regardless of background. That's why we operate a range of alternative offer schemes with clear eligibility criteria, including contextual offers, offers for those studying within the Keele region, and recognising a range of additional qualifications in your offer.

    General information

    The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.

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    Fees and funding

    Tuition fees for 2023/24 academic year

    • UK: £9250
    • International: Band 6

    For details of our international fee bands please see our Undergraduate tuition fees web page.

    Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

    Our Student Financial Support team offers confidential advice and guidance to help you to manage your money, so that you can make the most of your time at Keele. We can help you to resolve issues with your Student Finance, create a budget, and help you to explore your options if you’re facing financial hardship. We are also able to ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible, such as bursaries and scholarships.

    For more information visit our undergraduate fees and funding section.

    Next Steps

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    Modules

    Modules for Paramedic Science

    The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.

    • Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice & Research
    • Pharmacology and Medicines Management in Paramedic Practice
    • Applied Anatomy & Pathophysiology
    • Principles of Paramedic Practice
    • Applied Paramedic Practice & Simulation 2
    • Behavioural Health for Paramedics
    • Older Persons & Frailty
    • Enhanced Paramedic Practice
    • Evidence-Based Practice
    • Applied Paramedic Practice & Simulation 3

     
    • Introduction to Critical Care Practice for Paramedics
    • Advancing Practice Project
    • Primary, Urgent & Unscheduled Care for Paramedic
    • Clinical Leadership for Paramedics
    • Applied Paramedic Practice & Simulation 4

    Next Steps

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    School of Medicine

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    Your future career

    96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (HESA, 2017)

    The additional clinical knowledge and competencies gained on the Paramedic Science Integrated Masters include enhanced assessment skills, leadership qualities and robust evidence-based practice. This supports rapid career development and can lead to exciting career opportunities in emergency, urgent and primary care.

    Upon graduation you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a registered Paramedic. Our programme utilises a rotational model as detailed by the Health Education England Rotating Paramedic Programme (2018), so you can engage with a wide range of practice to support improvement of patient experience and provide a range of career opportunities upon qualification.

    The majority of graduates will work within a variety of settings within the NHS. On successful completion of the programme, you will have studied to an advanced practice level, however, to develop your future career you may be required to undertake further study and continuing professional development.

    You may also be required to develop experience in your area of practice to further enhance your opportunities. Career prospects for you upon graduation from this programme may include:

    Clinical Practice:

    • Ambulance Paramedic
    • Primary and/or Urgent Care Paramedic
    • Advanced Paramedic/Clinical Practitioner* – (Accident & Emergency, Critical Care, Primary Care)
    • Consultant Paramedic

    *The clinician must typically have 3 years post qualification experience before being eligible to progress into advanced practice roles and to study Independent & Supplementary Prescribing for Allied Health Professionals (plus additional entry criteria).

    Leadership and Management:

    • Team Leader
    • Manager
    • Senior Manager
    • Director

    Research and Development*:

    • Research Paramedic
    • Research Fellow
    • Reader
    • Professor

    *Extensive research experience will be required before being eligible for progression into higher roles.

    Education*:

    • Practice Educator
    • Lecturer
    • Senior Lecturer
    • Director

    *Postgraduate teaching qualifications and extensive experience will be required before being eligible for progression into higher roles.

    Enhance your employability

    Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.

    From mock interviews, careers guidance and CV advice, to careers fairs, and networking events, along with helping you find part-time and graduate employment - the team will support you throughout your studies and beyond.

    Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, alumni mentoring, jobs, internships, starting your own business and much more.

    Next Steps

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    Facilities

    The School of Primary, Community and Social Care is co-located with the highly regarded School of Medicine. The School of Medicine is located in the David Weatherall building on Keele University's main campus. This provides a state-of-the-art learning environment with two lecture theatres, various size classrooms, seminar rooms, and tutorial rooms.

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    We use different learning and teaching methods on the Paramedic Science Integrated Master’s depending on the subject matter and module level. Teaching takes place in both the university and clinical environments. Integrating the theory you have learnt on the course with learning from placement settings helps you consolidate your knowledge and apply it practically to your clinical practice.

    In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt.  These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe,  respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.

    Parts of the programme including paramedic practical skills are taught in small groups. In practice settings you will work with designated practice educators and a range of healthcare professionals as well as being assisted by visiting tutors from the School.

    Theoretical elements of this course are taught using:

    • Lectures
    • Practical work
    • Learning in the practice environment
    • Small group workshops
    • Individual and group presentations
    • Student and tutor led tutorials
    • Web based learning
    • Independent study
    • Inter-professional learning with other health and social care students
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    Foundation year

    Our Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.

    This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.

    Keele University is consistently ranked among the top universities for student satisfaction, and we have over 70 years' experience of teaching a foundation year to students. On the Keele Foundation Year, you'll study on campus, joining our undergraduate community from the outset, with access to all the facilities and support that you'd get as an undergraduate student at Keele.

    FOUNDATION YEAR

    If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into our Paramedic Science Integrated Masters course, our Foundation Year can provide an alternative route into your degree. This tab provides information relating to:

    • Indicative modules for the Foundation Year
    • Foundation Year entry requirements
    • Information on how to apply
    • UCAS code for this course
    COURSE CONTENT

    Our Foundation Year allows you to develop your critical thinking, academic reading, writing, and communication study skills along with subject-specific knowledge and skills. Upon meeting the progression criteria and successfully completing our Foundation Year, you will automatically progress into your Keele undergraduate degree with the confidence that you have the skills, and knowledge needed to successfully complete your course.

    This Foundation Year is a two semester programme which provides a tailored pre-degree programme of study to better prepare you for the Paramedic Science Integrated Masters course. For example, in the Academic and Professional Development for Health module you will begin to develop an awareness of professional standards that you will be working to in your degree and professional career. Course content has been developed in collaboration with degree teaching teams, so that by the time you begin Year 1, you will be ready to excel at your studies, as the majority of our Foundation Year students do.

    On this Foundation Year, we will advance your knowledge of human biology and chemistry, giving you a solid grasp of body systems, science and lab work. You'll develop safe, professional laboratory skills and get to know the mathematical techniques and quantitative methods used across health science-related and social care programmes. You will also be introduced to concepts relating to organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry.

    Throughout the programme, you will develop subject-specific and broad-based skills that will be invaluable in your academic career and beyond. You can find out more about our Foundation Year, including information on learning, teaching and assessment methods and further opportunities available to you by visiting Foundation Year webpages.

    COURSE STRUCTURE

    The module details given below are indicative and will give you a good idea of the range of subjects that we teach. We regularly review our teaching to ensure that the modules we offer are up-to-date; therefore, the modules available to study are liable to change.

     

    Semester One Modules    
    FYO-00237 Foundations of Human Biology for Health 15 credits 
    FYO-00241 Foundations of Chemistry for Health   15 credits
    FYO-00213 Foundations of Numerical and Quantitative Methods for Health Students 15 credits 
    Semester Two Modules    
    FYO-00239 Advancing Human Biology for Health 30 credits
    FYO-00243 Advancing Chemistry for Health 15 credits
    Year Long Modules (Semester One and Two)    
    FYO-00181 Academic and Professional Development for Health 15 credits 
         

     

    ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

    Academic Entry Requirements

    A Levels: Grades BCC / 104 Tariff Points 

    BTEC: DMM

    GCSEs: 5 GCSEs at Grade C (4) or above to include Maths, English and Science

    Additional Requirements

    CRIMINAL RECORDS DECLARATION (DBS/DISCLOSURE SCOTLAND)

    Candidates who progress from this Foundation Year onto year 1 of the degree course will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check (Enhanced plus Barring Lists) and health check.

    INTERVIEW

    An interview is required for entry onto the Paramedic Science with Integrated Masters with Foundation Year and will follow the same format as for the MSci Paramedic Science programme.

    HEALTH CHECK
    A satisfactory health check will be required for successful candidates'

    PROGRESSION REQUIREMENTS 

    Students on the Foundation Year will have to achieve the follow grades to be eligible to join the MSci Paramedic Science programme:

    Semester 1 - 40% or above in all modules

    Semester 2 - 60% average in the remaining 75 credits

    HOW TO APPLY

    UCAS Applications

    Visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Paramedic Science with Integrated Masters with Foundation Year

    UCAS code: B951

    Direct Entry 

    If you are a UK or EU student, already have your qualifications, are not expecting any further results and only wish to apply to Keele, please contact the Admissions Office directly.

    International Entry

    Please visit UCAS for applications. You should apply for Paramedic Science with Integrated Masters with Foundation Year

    UCAS code: B951

    This application route does not affect the fee structure for international students.

    We also offer a January start for some of our Foundation Year courses. Adopting a blended learning approach, the January start is particularly useful for students wishing to return to education following time out of studying, or who are seeking a flexible approach to their Foundation Year studies. Our January start is available across most of our Science, Humanities, Social Science and Business courses.

    Whilst still being a full-time course, our blended delivery model combines live teaching sessions - both online and on-campus - with self-directed study, enabling you to predominantly study at a time that suits your lifestyle. You will benefit from weekly online taught sessions which encourage you to engage with your teachers and peers.

    In addition to online study there will be a series of full study days that you will be required to attend throughout each semester. These sessions may include lab-based activities, group work, review of course and assessment materials studied online. They will emphasise opportunities for you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of your chosen route.

    Please refer to the September start tab for more information about the entry requirements and what you will study. The modules that you will take on a January start Foundation Year will be similar to those for the September start, but in a slightly different order and pattern.

    For more information, including fees, the UCAS code for this course, how to apply, and how you will be taught, please visit our January Start Foundation Year webpage.

    Our International Foundation Year is delivered on campus through Keele University International College (KUIC). Find out more about the International Foundation Year options on the KUIC website.
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