OVERVIEW

• no. 1 in the UK for Paramedic Science (Guardian University Guide, 2023)
• Placements with East of England or London Ambulance Service
• Learn from experienced paramedic lecturers and develop your skills in our simulation facilities

Are you caring and resilient? Do you have good communications skills and the ability to make decisions while remaining calm? If the answer is yes, you could be the first point of contact for people when they are at their most vulnerable, and Paramedic Science may just be the right course for you.  

Our course leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) straight after graduation. That means that as soon as you leave us, you’ll be fully qualified as a paramedic. As a result, 100% of Herts Paramedic Science graduates are in employment or further study 15 months after graduating from their 1st degree (Source: Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018-19), and 100% of students were satisfied overall with their course in the 2021 National Student Survey (NSS).

Many of our students go on to undertake further study, becoming specialist or advanced paramedics, or progress to senior positions within the NHS. Our former students are also very active in the professional body, the College of Paramedics and have helped to further the paramedic profession. By studying at Herts, you will be part of a world-wide family of alumni, who are caring for patients every day of the year.  

During your course, you will do placements with either the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust (LAS) or the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST). When you’re not on placement, you will practise in our simulation areas. We use innovative technologies to provide an immersive experience, where you can develop and enhance your clinical and communication skills.

What are the facilities like?

You'll benefit from specialist facilities within the Wright Building on College Lane, which include clinical skills laboratories and simulation areas. You will have access to a wide range of equipment that will prepare you for your clinical placement. This includes models to help you understand the relevant clinical anatomy; ‘part-task’ trainers to practice skills such as intravenous access and airway management; and high-fidelity manikins that simulate abnormal physiologies. Our lecturing and technical staff will set up simulated scenarios for you to manage, in a range of environments, including our Simulation Ambulance. These can be captured on high-definition video cameras for de-briefing and feedback to develop your learning.

What's the course about?

In your first year, you’ll learn about human anatomy and physiology. You will explore what makes up the human body and how everything functions within it. You’ll be introduced to behavioural and social issues that you might encounter when working, as well as how to assess and manage all types of accidents and illnesses. That’s the theory side of things. As practical experience is so important, you’ll be out on placement from your first year of study. This placement is aimed at getting you used to the clinical environment and to develop excellent communication skills.  

In your second year, you will learn more about patient assessment. By now you will already know what a normal healthy body looks like. In this year, you will learn what can go wrong, how to identify it and most importantly, what to do about it. You will work in clinical settings under the supervision of fully qualified health professionals. You’ll study the latest research and evidence, to ensure your practice is in line with the most recent developments in the field. You will also learn about the legal and ethical considerations of the profession.  

In your third year you will delve deeper into the foundations of level 4 and 5. You’ll learn about clinical pharmacology, which combines bioscience and pathophysiological knowledge – or in plain English, the knowledge of physical processes that occur with disease or injury. This year emphasises ethical practice, taking all factors into consideration. You’ll learn to reflect on the effects of your choices on the patients and their loved ones. And of course, more placements until you are ready to go out on your own.