| Code | BSCPST |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info. |
| Qualifications | BSc (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| Fees | See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| CAO Points | N/A |
| Closing Date | 2 July 2025 |
| Non-EU Closing Date | 31 May 2024 |
Course Outline
Our Bachelor of Science degree (BSc) Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) is aimed at building on the foundations provided by pre-hospital emergency care programmes and professional experience. It is designed to develop skills and knowledge applicable to current practice and specialist areas assisting you in your professional development and life-long learning.
Graduates of BSc Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) will be in a position to compete for more specialised roles in the paramedical field. Competition for these places is high and having an NFQ Level 8 BSc (Hons) qualification will provide you with a strong foundation to compete in this evolving and dynamic field. Graduates of the programme will also be eligible for postgraduate programmes.
This Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) programme considers the challenge of managing a job while studying, by delivering teaching using a learning approach of e-learning and participation in workshops. This innovative approach aims to widen your academic understanding of clinical care, and to engage with and critique the research that drives professional practice.
The BSc programme instills a traditional academic approach to the online teaching of paramedic studies. Delivery of the course is underpinned by four themes: enhancing professional knowledge, enhancing the paramedic profession, personal development, and research. Today the role of a paramedic is dynamic and evolving; upon completion of the degree, graduates will be well-positioned to compete for more specialised roles within the paramedical field and advance within their profession.
The programme team has considered the challenges of working whilst studying. Therefore, this programme is designed to make use of e-learning technology affording time-flexible learning.
The BSc Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) will be delivered by a panel of experts and will ensure that students are facilitated through all aspects of the programme including ongoing pastoral direction. Teaching will be delivered by e-learning which will be supported by coordinators through online contact, and by participation in workshops utilising the world-class clinical resources available to UCC’s College of Medicine and Health.
Note that this programme does not lead to a PHECC (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council) registrable qualification.
Modules
Year 1
- MD3010 Academic Writing, Information Technology and Evidence-Based Practice (5 credits)
- MD3011 Health Protection I (5 credits)
- MD3012 Principles of Human Structure for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
- MD3013 Application of Evidence-Based Practice for Paramedics (10 credits)
- MD3015 Topographic Anatomy for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
- MD3019 Paramedico-Legal Studies (5 credits)
- MD4010 Research in Paramedic Practice I (10 credits)
- MD4011 Remote Emergency Care for Paramedics (10 credits)
Year 2
- MD3014 Professional Development (5 credits)
- MD3016 Human Physiology for Practitioner Paramedics (10 credits)
- MD3017 Personal Development (5 credits)
- MD3018 Pharmacology for Practitioner Paramedics (5 credits)
- MD4012 Understanding Clinical Practice (10 credits)
- MD4013 Health Protection II (5 credits)
- MD4014 Research in Paramedic Practice II (25 credits)
You will be required to attend the University for a number of clinical days in order to complete some components in person such as the remote care element and clinical placement in an Emergency Department. You will be informed by your co-ordinator of the dates after you have been awarded a place on the course.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) programme, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of paramedical science from a multidisciplinary perspective including anatomy, epidemiology and public health, medico-legal, nursing, pharmacology, physiology, and psychology.
- Demonstrate an awareness of contemporary issues in the field of paramedical practices and sciences; displaying an understanding of the importance of continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
- Apply a holistic and integrated approach to paramedic practice
- Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and prepare to respond effectively to such issues during paramedic practice
- Examine current research and developments in paramedicine and evaluate their implications in the paramedic profession. Carry out a focused piece of scholarly research in the area of paramedical science
See the College Calendar (BSc Paramedic Studies - Practitioner Entry) for further information.
Additional Teaching Mode Information
This programme will be taught over 24 months (Sep 2024 to Aug 2026) via blended learning.
Course Practicalities
The BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) is an online learning programme Each 5-credit module requires 100 hours of student effort and 10 credits requires 200 hours up to the main research module which is 25 credits which requires 500 hours of student effort.
This programme will be delivered online. As such there are specific technical requirements that you need to meet:
- You will need access to a laptop or desktop (either Mac OS or Windows) running a relatively recent operating system (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or Mac OSX 10.8, 10.9, 10.10).
- You will need access to a reliable broadband connection with at least 2MB download speeds. You can test your broadband or 4G speeds by visiting http://www.speedtest.net.
- You must have a modern web browser installed.
Assessment
The programme is based wholly on continuous assessment allowing the student to progress and succeed within an online learning environment.
Who teaches this course
Our teaching staff is drawn from the College of Medicine and Health including the School of Medicine, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and School of Public Health.
Why Choose This Course
BSc Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) is a level 8 programme open to practising Paramedics who wish to advance their careers.
This two-year programme is aimed at building on the foundations provided by pre-registration programmes and professional experience. It is designed to develop skills and knowledge applicable to current practice in general and specialist areas.
Graduates of this programme will be in a position to compete for more specialised roles in the paramedical field. Competition for these places is high and having a level 8 BSc qualification will provide you with a strong foundation to compete and give you options to specialise further in the future.
Requirements
- Applicants must be a registered practitioner for the duration of the programme.
- Applicants must hold a Diploma in Emergency Medical Science (NFQ Level 7) or Emergency Medical Technology (NFQ Level 7) or equivalent.
- Applicants will be required to submit a personal statement indicating their reasons for wishing to enter this programme.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must meet the University's English Language Entry Requirements.
Fees and Costs
Refer to the 2024/2025 Undergraduate Fees Schedule for this programme.
- The EU 2024/25 Fee is €3,147 per annum.
- The International Fee is €6,500.
How To Apply
EU Applicants
- The application process for the BSc Paramedic Studies - Practitioner Entry will open on 5 March 2025.
- Applications are made through the UCCApply portal only. The portal will be made available on this webpage on the opening date.
- A non-refundable administrative fee of €50 is required to process an application.
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded with your UCCApply application so please have the following documents ready for upload:
- Proof of Identity - if not previously registered in UCC, please upload a clear readable copy of one of the following; Passport/Birth cert/Irish Driving licence (credit card format)/ Marriage cert
- Transcripts - if applicable
- Evidence of English Language Proficiency - if applicable.
All documents in a language other than English must be officially translated (you cannot translate these yourself).
Non-EU Applicants: Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page.
All Applicants: Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Please check the College Calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the terms programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
The closing date for non-EU applications is 31 May 2024