Overview

Paramedics are highly skilled clinicians who combine expert medical knowledge with critical decision-making. You’ll aim to deliver safe, compassionate, and effective care in fast-changing environments across a variety of settings.

Our pioneering course was the first in Scotland to be endorsed by the Royal College of Paramedics, recognising excellence in education and industry. You’ll learn through a dynamic mix of academic study, simulation, and practice. This includes ambulance, hospital, and community settings, with opportunities for international placements.

You’ll gain a confident understanding of the social principles at the heart of person-centred care. You’ll also develop the leadership skills essential for modern healthcare practice.

This course is ideal for people with strong communication skills and emotional intelligence who want to make a real difference to patient care and public health.

If you’re adaptable, resilient, and committed to lifelong learning, this course is for you.

Why study Paramedic Science at GCU?

Join a pioneering course in academic paramedic education and professional registration.
Experience one of the most diverse ranges of placements for paramedic students in Scotland.
Learn in cutting-edge simulation facilities, featuring realistic home environments and a fully equipped training ambulance for immersive, hands-on experience.
Learn from the first course in Scotland to be endorsed by the Royal College of Paramedics.
Unlock opportunities through our strong partnerships, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, partner NHS health boards and NHS Education for Scotland.

Health and Care Professionals Council

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What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Year 1

Fundamentals of Human Physiology

Introduction to Clinical Practice for Paramedics: Clinical Skills

Core Principles in Paramedic Science

Introduction to Clinical Practice for Paramedics: Assessment and Management

Practice Based Education: Ambulance Care Practice

Year 2

Developing Clinical Practice for Paramedics: Advancing Skills

Understanding Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care

Developing Clinical Practice for Paramedics: Advancing Assessment

Psychosocial Health in Paramedic Practice

Year 3

Applying Evidence-Based Practice

Leadership in Paramedic Practice

Consolidating Clinical Practice for Paramedics

Preparation for Practice: Continuing Professional Development

Practice-Based Education: Consolidating Practice

Understanding core and optional modules

The core modules shown are based on the standard full-time route for students entering Year 1 of the course. If you study full time from Year 1, you will normally study the outlined core modules for each year of the course.

Optional modules provide opportunities to tailor your studies. You will not normally study every optional module shown and will be asked to select from the available options during your studies. Information about available options and the module selection process will be provided after you enrol. Please note that the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and is subject to factors including student demand, timetabling, staffing and academic requirements.

The module information shown is based on the standard full-time route through the course. If you study through an alternative entry or study route, including part-time study or Advanced Entry, the modules you take in each year and the order in which you study them may vary.

Careers

Upon successful completion of this course, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to practise as a paramedic.

Most graduates begin their careers within a UK ambulance service, where they gain valuable experience as newly qualified paramedics.

You can also:

continue as a frontline emergency clinician
progress into operations management roles
enter into clinical leadership positions
continue your studies to become a specialist or advanced paramedic practitioner.

Previous graduates have gone on to work in primary care, emergency departments, or community-based health and social care teams across the NHS.

Employment opportunities also exist with private and independent ambulance services. This includes:

offshore and remote healthcare providers
education
research
humanitarian response (post-crisis aid).

We maintain strong partnerships with local and national employers, including the Scottish Ambulance Service, partner NHS health boards, and NHS Education for Scotland. This means you’ll be well supported during the transition into practice.

Our network of placement providers and professional partners offers valuable experience and opportunities to make connections throughout your studies.

Our wide range of placements include:

ambulance and emergency care
maternity
paediatrics
multiple NHS specialities
third sector placements including international opportunities.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BSc	Full Time	3 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	B950	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BSc	Full Time	3 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	B950	Enquire Apply

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.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

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

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

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.

Visit the HCPC website.

Visit the Royal College of Paramedics website.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.