Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.
Year 1
Standard entry requirement
UCAS Tariff: 102
Scottish Higher: BBBC or equivalent, including Higher in Biology/Human Biology plus Nat 5 Maths or Application of Maths at grade C
A Level: BCC or equivalent, including A Level in Biology plus GCSE Maths at grade C
Minimum entry requirement
UCAS Tariff: 84
Scottish Higher: CCCC or equivalent, including Higher in Biology/Human Biology plus Nat 5 Maths or Application of Maths at grade C
A Level: CCC or equivalent, including A Level in Biology plus GCSE Maths at grade C
English language
IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent).
Age guidance
A student should be 17 years old by the start of their first clinical placement, which takes place in January after the course start date.
Application process
Applicants will be contacted in February with instructions on how to submit a pre-recorded interview.
Acceptance to this course is subject to a satisfactory occupational health screening and PVG clearance.
You will be required to pass a manual handling course and to undertake the physically demanding duties of a paramedic in the practice environment. You must be physically fit and have the strength to lift and carry patients and equipment.
You will undergo an occupational health assessment at the start of the course and will also need to ensure you have specific vaccinations.
Note: Any military personal wishing to enter the course must have an academic qualification equivalent to the SCQF Level 6 which includes human biology. This applies to those who have a military background as a medic.
Driving requirements
You do not have to have a driving licence or complete a driving assessment to enter the course. The Standards of Proficiency for paramedics do not require driving as an element of regulated practice, so being unable to drive will not prevent you from being accepted onto the course.
However, to have a greater chance of finding a job with an NHS ambulance service trust once you have finished your studies, you should:
- Hold a full driving license for a minimum of one year before graduation
- This is currently a requirement of the Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP) job application for the Scottish Ambulance Service
- Gain your C1 endorsement (licence to drive vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes) prior to completing the course
- This is currently required by most UK ambulance services prior to employment.
- This is not the emergency driving course which is usually provided by the employing ambulance service trust.
If you are not able to get a driving licence or the C1 endorsement for health reasons, please discuss this with the course team.
This does not affect your entering the course and becoming a registered paramedic, but there are few NQP posts that do not require these qualifications.
Additional information for international applicants
Additional information for all applicants
Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)
GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.
If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.
Minimum entry requirements
Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.
The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?
Fees are subject to change and are published here for guidance only.
Annual tuition fees
Please visit our central tuition fees section for details.
Additional costs
As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.
View additional costs.
Additional costs for Scottish domiciled students on this programme
Scottish domiciled students, eligible for SAAS, do not need to pay for PVG checks, occupational health checks or uniforms.
You will need to consider costs for accommodation and travel while on placement. However, you may be able to apply to SAAS for additional expense support to help meet these costs.
Check out the SAAS Nursing and Midwifery student placement expenses claim or Allied Health Professions student placement expenses claim forms.
Additional costs for all other students (rest of UK, EU and International) on this programme
During this course, you will be required to cover the cost of:
- Accommodation and travel while on placements
- Occupational health checks and vaccination set fee of £486
- Membership of Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. New applications cost £59. Updates to the existing scheme record cost £18.
Invoices will be issued by the University for payment of all of the above additional costs in Trimester B (March/April) of the first year of your programme.
All students are encouraged to become members of the Royal College of Paramedics from day one. It is mandatory in Year 2 for insurance purposes for third sector placements. For the equivalent of £3.75 per month, you’ll receive:
- Public liability cover (including elective placements)
- Access to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Hub
- Discounts on books and equipment
- Professional support
- Access to British Paramedic Journal
- Paramedic INSIGHT magazine
- Discount at UK student conference
- HCPC appeals support.
Teaching and assessment
Our course combines engaging online learning with interactive face-to-face tutorials, creating a dynamic experience that puts you at the centre of your education. You’ll share responsibility for your learning journey with expert lecturers and practice supervisors. Together, they help prepare you for real‑world collaborative practice.
Our teaching and assessment methods are designed to create an engaging, inclusive and academically challenging experience. Each module is tailored to achieve its learning outcomes, supported by a range of assessment strategies.
Assessments may include:
- practical exams
- academic posters
- written assignments
- case studies
- presentations
- group work
- placements.
Teaching is delivered by experienced lecturers and practising clinicians who bring expertise from a wide range of healthcare backgrounds, ensuring a high-quality learning experience.
You’ll be able to demonstrate your knowledge and competence through authentic and meaningful methods aligned with contemporary paramedic practice.
Independent study
Independent study is a key part of your learning and development. You’ll access interactive online resources through GCU’s virtual learning environment, GCU Learn, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
This flexible approach is supported by a strong network of peers, dedicated lecturing staff, and student support services, including the Learning and Development Centre and Library.
Placements
Practice-based education accounts for 50% of your time on the course and takes place across the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and Argyll and Bute regions. Placements allow you to apply theory to practice, develop clinical confidence, and gain a comprehensive understanding of patient care across different healthcare environments.
Some placements may involve staying away from home for up to 10 weeks, giving you the chance to work in new environments and gain valuable experience.
If you’re eligible for SAAS funding, you may be able to claim reimbursement for accommodation costs, helping to make this exciting experience accessible and affordable.
Facilities
You’ll learn within our state-of-the-art Interprofessional Simulation Centre, featuring authentic simulation laboratories and fully equipped clinical environments. Realistic home and hospital settings and a fully operational training ambulance replicate the challenges of real-world paramedic practice.
The Common Good
At GCU, we are proud of our commitment to the Common Good. This course prepares you to deliver compassionate, evidence-based care that promotes equality, inclusion and community wellbeing.
You’ll be encouraged to become a socially responsible professional, committed to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for your patient communities.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
This course is endorsed by the Royal College of Paramedics, the professional body for paramedics in the UK. Our curriculum is shaped by their educational framework, so you’ll be fully prepared to meet the professional standards and industry needs of modern paramedic practice.
