Become a paramedic

Entry into the profession:

Historically, entry into the paramedic profession was achieved by working through various roles within a specific NHS ambulance service.  Prospective paramedics often began by working in the non-emergency Patient Transport Service, before moving into accident and emergency work by qualifying as an ambulance technician. Then, following a period of experience in the technician role, candidates would sit entry exams and then complete a training course to become a qualified paramedic.

With the increasing number of University courses leading to paramedic qualification, this is no longer the case. Those who wish to, can join a University Degree straight from school that leads to registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC) as a paramedic. For those who do not have the required entry qualifications for higher education, there are still some opportunities to join their local ambulance service in another role, e.g. call taker, ambulance care assistant or apprentice, or occasional in-house paramedic courses.

Most services offer further development for such staff, including support to study access to higher education courses so that suitable candidates can then gain a place on a suitable university course.

If you are interested in applying for a role within the NHS ambulance services you should contact your local Ambulance Service Trust to find out what positions are available, as these alter between Trusts.

Entry requirements:

Most University courses require, as a minimum, that applicants hold 5 GCSEs at grade ‘C’ or above, including Maths and English, plus 2 A-Levels or the equivalent in a related subject (e.g. NVQ level 3 or BTEC National).

For mature students, most institutions will also accept a suitable access to higher education course.

Most Universities publish their entry criteria on their websites.

Driving Emergency Vehicles

Whilst registration with the Health Profession Council as a paramedic does not rely on the ability to drive an emergency vehicle, most NHS Ambulance Trusts (who are by far the largest employer of  paramedics), will require you to be able to drive a frontline ambulance under emergency conditions. This will usually require having category C1 on your driving licence (Vehicles weighing between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg).  In order to drive under emergency conditions staff are also required to pass an emergency driving course, commonly of three to four weeks duration, which NHS Trusts often provide in-house, (although there also are some limited alternative providers). 

People with certain medical conditions are barred from driving emergency vehicles, including insulin dependent diabetics and some categories of epilepsy. This is something to bear in mind if you are thinking of becoming a paramedic and suffer from one of these conditions.

Direct entry courses

Entry onto many of the university courses is through the University Central Admissions Service (UCAS). Most of these courses are fulltime, and as a student you will be eligible for means tested grants, student loans and also have to pay tuition fees.  Although paramedic students are not currently included in the NHS Bursary Scheme, some NHS Strategic Health Authorities provide support for university students,  details of any such support can be obtained from the university in question.

For a link to UK paramedic education providers see the link in the right hand column.

Supported places

Some Universities work closely with partner ambulances services to provide paramedic development for existing non-paramedic clinical staff such as technicians and emergecny care assistants.  A small number of ambulance Trusts also provide programmes for new starters.  Entry onto these courses is via the partner ambulance service Trusts.  Most commonly students of supported places are existing employees of the partner ambulance Trust, and will often have fees paid and other support such as salary and expenses.  The graduate paramedic would normally be expected to work for their employing Trust on qualification as a paramedic and for a fixed time afterwards.

It would be worth contacting ambulance services directly to enquiry if they are currently running a direct entry Student paramedic scheme.

Join the College of Paramedics

You should join the College of Paramedics, prospective students may join as associate members. This will both show you are committed to the professionalism that the College upholds, and give you access to the representation and benefits that  membership brings see the Student Flyer 'Student Voice' download (right)

Post registration opportunities

As outlined in "Paramedic Curriculum Guidance and Competence Framework" (CoP, 2008), the College of Paramedics supports an increase in the threshold entry level for paramedics to a minimum of Diploma of Higher Education.  However some university-based paramedic courses are set higher than this at B.Sc (Hons) level and paramedics are increasingly found studying for post-graduate qualifications after their initial registration. 

Until recent years, the prospects for paramedics wishing to develop were limited to in-house ambulance Trust training or management roles.  In recent years however, many paramedics have developed their clinical practice into specialist and advanced roles in areas such as primary and critical care.  Increasingly paramedics are to be found working for institutions other than ambulance Trusts, such as Out of Hours GP providers, Minor Injuries Units, Walk-In Centres, and various private health providers, both in the UK and abroad.  In keeping with other health care professionals, paramedics are required to have attained higher education qualifications to undertake such roles.

Paramedics also develop in other ways.  Many move into managerial, educational or research roles and the diversity of these pathways has also increased in recent years with the growth of university provision and specialist managerial roles.