Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies Course content
Key information
The curriculum has four 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). The ‘problems’ are highly structured hypothetical clinical cases, each of which takes a week to work through. 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 week’s case. The tutor acts as teacher and facilitator, guiding the group through the sequence of steps which have been devised to help students learn from the clinical cases. Each step and new development in the case (such as results of investigations or details of drugs prescribed) is only given out after the group has finished discussing the previous step.
Off-campus programme
In Year 1, Semester 2 with core knowledge and skills acquired, students are required to attend a wide range of clinical placements. Allied health placements as well as emergency and non-emergency ambulance deployments form the basis for your undergraduate experience; these include: Coronary Care, Emergency Department, Operating Theatres, Paediatrics, Maternity, Fire and Rescue, Learning Disabilities, Care of the Older Person.
Semester 1
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4071 | Anatomy and Physiology for Paramedics |
| GM4081 | Pre-hospital Pharmacology |
| GM4091 | Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice |
| GM4101 | Paramedic Practice Placement 1 |
| GM4061 | Emergency Driving Theory |
Semester 2
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4082 | Emergency Driving |
| GM4102 | Paramedic Practice Placement 2 |
Summer
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4053 | Principles of Pre-hospital care |
Semester 3
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4043 | Rostered Clinical Placement 1 |
Semester 4
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4024 | Rostered Clinical Placement 2 |
Summer
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4034 | Rostered Clinical Placement 3 |
Semester 5
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4002 | Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 1 |
| GM4012 | Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 2 |
Semester 6
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4003 | Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 1 |
| GM4013 | Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 2 |
Semester 7
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4007 | Professional Development in Paramedic Practice |
| GM4033 | Population Health and Emergent Care |
| GM4017 | Leadership and Mentorship in Pre-Hospital Education |
Semester 8
| Module code | Module title |
|---|---|
| GM4004 | Introduction to Emergent Care Research |
| GM4014 | Pre-Hospital Research Proposal |
How do I apply for the programme?
All applications for the Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (LM103) must be made through the CAO.
What are the entry criteria?
Applicants are required to hold at the time of enrolment the established Leaving Certificate (or an approved equivalent) with a minimum of six subjects which must include: Two H5 (Higher level) grades and Four O6 (Ordinary level) grades or four H7 (Higher Level) grades. Subjects must include Mathematics, Irish or another language, and English.
In addition, applicants must hold an O6/H7 grade in one of the following Laboratory Science subjects: Biology; Physics, Chemistry; Physics and Chemistry; or Agricultural Science.
Applicants must also have a full, clean B and provisional C1 driving license.
Students are required to successfully complete a Garda Vetting process and Occupational Health Clearance
Mature Students who wish to be considered for a place on the grounds of mature years must interview for a place on the programme. Candidates are ranked based on the outcome of the interview process. Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before January 1 of the year of enrolment.
LM103 Points trend.
AY19/20 403
AY20/21 392
AY21/22 429
AY22/23 380
AY23/24 378
AY25/26 409
Is there a QQI/PLC pathway?
University of Limerick offers entry routes to certain first-year undergraduate degree programmes for students who have achieved the relevant QQI Level 5 or Level 6 Award.
Can I defer my place if I do not have the driving licences on time?
Applicants will not be offered a place on the course without meeting all entry criteria; this includes the full B and provisional C1 licences.
What do I need to know about the year 2 placement?
In order to meet the Regulator standard (Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council) students must complete 52 weeks’ clinical placement in year 2. Currently, our placement partner is the National Ambulance Service (NAS). The placement is managed by University of Limerick, and students are paid employees of NAS during this year. Students may avail of a number of supports while on placement, such as the paramedic studies department, NAS HR and an allocated peer mentor from previous years.
What is the relationship between PHECC (the regulator), the student and UL?
UL is a PHECC recognised institution. Our programme and placements have been approved by PHECC. Students undertake a suite of regulator exams in the first year of LM103. These currently consist of a multiple choice question exam, an Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE) and a short written answer exam. The preparation for these exams forms a significant part of Semesters 1 & 2 of Year one of the programme. The student registers with PHECC as an undergraduate paramedic intern at the beginning of semester 2, year 1 and as a postgraduate intern prior to commencement of year 2.
When do I receive my Paramedic licence?
Upon successful completion of year 2, following the 52-week placement, the student is eligible for registration at the level of paramedic by the Irish regulator.
Where can I receive further information about LM103?
Please email paramedicstudies@ul.ie
