Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry)

NFQ Level 8 major Award Honours Bachelor Degree NFQ Level 8
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Course code
LM263
Duration
2 Years
Fees
See what fees may apply to students
Subject area
Health Sciences
Course Director
Paramedic Studies
Email
paramedicstudies@ul.ie
Admissions:
Tel
+353 (0)61 233755
Queries
Contact the Academic Registry
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The University of Limerick (UL) BS Paramedic Studies (Practitioner) course is open to experienced paramedics/advanced paramedics who can demonstrate current paramedic practice.

 

Why study Paramedic Studies at UL?

As the first university in Ireland to currently offer Paramedic Studies at undergraduate degree level, our innovative campus with state-of-the-art high fidelity simulation, offers unequalled opportunities for the developing paramedic student.

This innovative and interactive course builds upon prior learning and clinical experience and is delivered using a blended approach of face-to-face teaching and online resources.

This allows students to learn new knowledge and skills, and to network with colleagues from a variety of backgrounds.

Each semester, students are required to attend one week on-campus at the University of Limerick, with the remainder of the course delivered online. Students can access the online course content 24 hours a day.

 

Educational Methodology

Recognition of prior learning is a foundation stone of adult education. We hope to build on your practical experience and integrate this knowledge with the most up-to-date e-learning resources. Students can work off site and can access course content 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world provided an internet connection is available (>2MB required). Consolidation weeks then allow the students to assimilate new knowledge and skills and network with colleagues from a wide variety of backgrounds.

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What you will study

The curriculum has 4 main domains:

  • Knowledge of Health and Illness 
  • Clinical and Anatomical Skills 
  • Professional Skills
  • Pre-Hospital Research

You will be taught via Problem Based Learning (PBL). Each semester, students are divided into groups of seven or eight, each with its own tutor in a tutorial room, with PC, state of the art AV equipment and walls lined with whiteboards. The group meets with the tutor to work through the course material. The tutor does not act as a teacher, but as a facilitator, guiding the group through the PBL process.

The first year consists of 4 modules, 2 in each semester. The second year consists of 5 modules, with 3 modules being delivered in semester 1 and 2 in semester 2. The learning outcomes will be achieved and assessed through lectures/PBL, practical assignments, workshops/role-plays, group work and self-directed eLearning. Project work and application of knowledge gained in practice will form part of each module. This will enable the student to develop their capacity for critical thinking within their discipline and apply knowledge gained on the modules to real world problems and challenges. The variety of teaching and assessment modalities encourages the student to embrace the learning experience and convey findings to their peers both professional and academic.

Course delivery and structure

The course delivery and structure are such that students may work in the prehospital environment and incorporate learning from this programme to drive positive change and improve health services and outcomes for patients. Students will work closely together in small groups to identify differences in practice nationally and internationally and demonstrate their ability to operate effectively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

Independent learning times are not just about reading from textbooks. During these times, students are encouraged to visit and make use of the library, the writing centre and the many facilities in the wider campus community.

Staff will be on hand to provide support in whatever area you feel you need it. However, to a large extent, students in the programme will be both encouraged and expected to assume a high level of responsibility for their own learning. Students will not be ‘spoon fed’ and there is a deliberate strategy to minimise the amount of didactic teaching in the curriculum.

Semester 1 ECTS Hours
Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 1 15 300
Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 2 15 300
Semester 2 ECTS Hours
Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 1 15 300
Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 2 15 300

Total ECTS Credits Year 1 = 60

Semester 1 ECTS Hours
Professional Development in Paramedic Practice 6 120
Leadership and Mentorship in Prehospital Education 9 180
Population Health and Emergent Care 15 300
Semester 2 ECTS Hours
Introduction to Emergent Care Research 15 300
Pre-Hospital Research Proposal 15 300

Total ECTS Credits Year 2 = 60

Entry requirements

Additional considerations

Candidates must

  • Hold a Diploma in Emergency Medical Science or Emergency Medical Technology equivalent to Level 7 (Irish Students) or international equivalent.
     
  • Hold registration on the:
    • Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland register, or
    • Paramedic on the Health Care Professions Council Register (UK), or
    • National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic (USA) or
    • equivalency from another country.
       
  • Proficiency in English language must be demonstrated prior to course commencement as per University of Limerick policy

Applicants are required to submit:

  • Evidence of their current registration with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland (PHECC) or the equivalent from other EU countries, for a minimum of 12 months.
  • Evidence of a Diploma in Emergency Medical Science or Emergency Medical Technology equivalent to Level 7.
  • Copy of Passport.
Non-EU Entry Requirements

How to apply

Applications for Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry) Academic Year 2024 are now open. The closing date for this course is June 28, 2024. 

Application Link

Fees and funding

Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.

A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.

An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.

EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €7,262
SUSI pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€10,362

EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant

HEA pays Tuition Fees €7,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€10,362

Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant

Student pays Tuition Fees €7,262
Student pays Student contribution €3,000
Student pays Student Levy €100
€10,362

Non-EU Students

Student pays Tuition Fees €11,102
Student pays Student Levy €100
€11,202

Student course fees are comprised of the following components:

Student Contribution

Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The current student contribution is set at €3000.

Student Levy

All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.

Tuition Fees

These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.

Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows

  1. Residency
    • You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
  2. Citizenship
    • You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
  3. Course Requirements (all must be met)
    • You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
    • You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
    • You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)

Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -

  • Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
  • EU Fee Status: You satisfy both the citizenship and residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees.
  • Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.

More information about fees can be found on the Finance website

These scholarships are available for all courses

 

 

Further information, including information on Fees and Semester dates can be found on the School of Medicine website: www.ul.ie/ehs/medicine