Paramedic Science

Paramedic science is a discipline concerned with the assessment, treatment, and safe transport of patients in pre-hospital environments. Paramedics are often the first clinicians to reach a patient in a medical emergency, and the decisions they make in those initial minutes can be life-defining. The role demands a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and pharmacology alongside the clinical skills to manage a wide range of emergencies, from cardiac arrest and trauma to mental health crises and acute illness.

This three-year full-time programme at the University of Surrey prepares you for professional practice as a paramedic, developing the clinical knowledge, practical skills, and professional judgement the role demands. You will study the biological sciences that underpin paramedic practice, the assessment and management of specific clinical conditions, and the legal, ethical, and professional frameworks within which paramedics work. Clinical placements are a substantial component of the programme, placing you in ambulance service environments and other healthcare settings where you develop and are assessed on your practice under the supervision of registered clinicians.

With a typical entry tariff of 136 points, the programme is competitive and attracts students with both scientific ability and the personal qualities that pre-hospital care demands.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as qualified paramedics. NHS ambulance services and NHS trusts are the primary employers, with paramedics working in emergency response, urgent care, and specialist clinical roles. The independent ambulance sector, charitable event medical services, and the military also employ qualified paramedics.

With experience and further study, paramedics specialise in areas including critical care, air ambulance, hazardous area response, and specialist practitioner roles in primary and urgent care settings. The paramedic profession is evolving rapidly, and postgraduate study in advanced clinical practice or specialist paramedic roles is increasingly available to those who want to develop their clinical expertise and career further.