Course summary
The role of the paramedic is to assess, treat and manage people in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Paramedics work in a wide range of environments and may work alone or within a team of other health and social care professionals. The new BSc Paramedic Science course will provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to deliver out of hospital care in a range of health settings as a member of an integrated health and social care team. To do this QMU works closely with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Over the three years you will learn how to respond safely and effectively in emergency and non-emergency situations. You will develop skills of assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment of people. Your learning will be underpinned by evidence. Topics in the course include: biological sciences, management of health and illness, communication skills, person-centred practice, leadership and management. We will help you to develop as a critically thinking, reflective professional who is able to work independently or part of a team. Why QMU?
- An innovative and exciting course that will prepare the next generation of paramedic clinicians: This course was developed in response to the need for all paramedics in Scotland entering the profession from 2021 to have an ordinary (BSc level) degree. This is because the role of the paramedic is expanding beyond acute trauma and will have increasing focus on the management of long term conditions, mental health support, support of older persons and preventing hospital admissions.
- An interprofessional learning experience: You will learn alongside students from a wide range of other health and social care professional courses, unrivalled in any other university in Scotland.
- Professional links: QMU works closely with local health and social care practice partners including Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Lothian and NHS Borders.
- Great facilities: You will benefit from QMU's modern surroundings and have access to specialist clinical teaching facilities.
- Staff expertise: You will learn from experienced academic staff with clinical currency and research expertise:
- Excellent student support: A supportive learning culture that creates a ‘community feeling’ and promotes learner resilience and wellbeing.
- Professional registration: The course will prepare students to undertake the full scope of practice for a paramedic leading to eligibility for them to apply for registration with the Health & Care Professions Council(HCPC).
- NEW: Guardian University Guide 2024 ranks QMU's Paramedic Science as 1st in the UK scoring highest on teaching satisfaction, feedback satisfaction and staff to student ratio.
Modules
Year One Introduction to Clinical Assessment and Decision Making Skills for Paramedic Practice 1 Finding your Academic Voice Physiology Developing Resilience of Self and Others for Professional Paramedic Practice Practice-based Learning Year Two Pharmacology Using Clinical Assessment and Decision Making in Paramedic Practice Health Coaching Skills for Paramedic Practice 2 Paramedic Practice-based Learning 2 Developing a Spirit of Enquiry Year Three Managing Complexity in Paramedic Practice Paramedic Practice –based Learning 3 Being a Person-centred Practitioner Skills for Paramedic Practice 3 Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice The modules listed here are correct at time of posting but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. Please check back here for any updates.
Assessment method
You will learn through face to face sessions and on-line. Learning and teaching approaches include lectures, seminars, practical laboratories and placements. We also use case based approaches, interactive learning, group work, simulation, virtual reality and games. Outside timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. Assessments will include practical work, written exams and assignments. Students must be aged 18 by the 1st February 2026 in order to be eligible to start the course in September 2025 due to work placement restrictions.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Health and Care Professions Council
- Nursing and Midwifery Council
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B950
- Institution code:
- Q25
- Campus name:
- Queen Margaret University
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
Please note due to placement size we are unable to accept international applications for this course. This is due to limitations on placement length for student visas for UK study
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher - BBBB
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H2, H3, H3
Scottish HNC - Pass
Scottish HND - Pass
We accept many different qualifications, but cannot list them all here. Please contact the Admissions Team for further information or advice if you are thinking of taking a course of study. We welcome applications from international and EU applicants and you can find information on specific entry requirements by country here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/information-for-your-country/. We also welcome applications from mature students, or people holding qualifications such as Access courses or OU modules. The Scottish Wider Access Partnership (SWAP) offers a range of local Access courses and those that are accepted for entry are listed here: https://www.qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Scottish Higher - BBCC
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Interview
Other
You must be 18 years old by 1st February 2026 to undertake the first year placement. We are unable to accept anyone who will not be 18 years old by this date onto the course.
English language requirements
IELTS with an overall score equivalent to 7.0 and with no individual component less than 6.5. This is inline with current HCPC registration requirements.
QMU English Language Requirements
https://www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/international-students/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| International | £17325 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
2025/6
Students from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Republic of Ireland: full-time Rest of UK fees will be charged for the first three years of study. The fourth year of study is free.
Please note: there are some Health Sciences courses that are not open to international applications. Please check the individual course pages on the QMU website before applying.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU