Key Info
Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies
If you are the type of person who can demonstrate accurate decision and evaluation skills to provide the best patient care possible, then this course will be interesting to you. Key personal attributes include an ability to work under pressure, calm and caring demeanour with flare for initiative and innovation.
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.
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). 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 Elderly Person.
To maximise potential exposure, compulsory emergency ambulance placements for Year 2 are based in the United Kingdom. High call volumes, diverse population and an established university based educational system ensure students can maximise patient exposure in a sophisticated peer-led environment.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Human Science (Biology, Physics & Chemistry) | Core Anatomy and Physiology (Part B) |
| Structure of the Body in Illness and Injury | Principles of Emergency Care 1 |
| Core Anatomy and Physiology (Part A) | Principles of Emergency Care 2 |
| Paramedic and Population Health | Respiratory System in the Community |
| Patient Centred Practice | Cardiovascular System in the Community |
| Emergency Driving Theory |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer |
| Rostered Clinical Placement 1 | Rostered Clinical Placement 2 | Rostered Clinical Placement 3 |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 1 | Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 1 |
|
Anatomy and Physiology in Emergent Care 2 |
Principles of Pre-Hospital Emergency Care 2 |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Professional Development in Paramedic Practice | Introduction to Emergent Care Research |
|
Population Health and Emergent Care |
Pre-Hospital Research Proposal |
|
Leadership and Mentorship in Pre-Hospital Education |
|
Frequently Asked Questions
All applications for the Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (LM103) must be made through the CAO. Information about applying through the CAO is available at www.cao.ie
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
The following pathways have been agreed and will be added for 2023 entry.
5M4339 Healthcare Support
Five distinctions to include the following:
5N0749 Anatomy and Physiology
5N4325 Introduction to Nursing
5N1279 Human Growth Development
In addition, students should have achieved a distinction in
5N1833 (Mathematics) OR
5N0556 (Maths for STEM) OR have achieved a F6/O6/H7 in LCE Mathematics
5M4349 Nursing Studies
Five distinctions to include three the following:
5N0749 Anatomy and Physiology
5N4325 Introduction to Nursing
5N1279 Human Growth Development
5N2746 Biology
In addition, students should have achieved a distinction in
5N1833 (Mathematics) OR
5N0556 (Maths for STEM) OR have achieved a F6/O6/H7 in LCE Mathematics
5M4468 Community & Health Services
Five distinctions to include three the following:
5N0749 Anatomy and Physiology
5N4325 Introduction to Nursing
5N1279 Human Growth Development
5N2746 Biology
In addition, students should have achieved a distinction in
5N1833 (Mathematics) OR
5N0556 (Maths for STEM) OR have achieved a F6/O6/H7 in LCE Mathematics
Applicants will not be offered a place on the course without meeting all entry criteria; this includes the full B and provisional C1 licences.
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 North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), in the UK. The placement is managed by University of Limerick, and students are paid employees of NWAS during this year. Students may avail of a number of supports when planning to live in the UK, such as the paramedic studies department, NWAS HR, and an allocated peer mentor from previous years.
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 1, year 1 and as a postgraduate intern prior to commencement of year 2.
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.
Please email paramedicstudies@ul.ie
Entry Requirements
| CAO points history |
380*
|
|---|---|
| Minimum grades |
Applicants must hold, on enrolment, the Leaving Certificate (or approved equivalent) with a minimum of 6 subjects including: 2 H5 (Higher level) and 4 O6 (Ordinary level) or 4 H7 grades. Subjects to include Maths, Irish or another language and English. |
| Subject requirements |
Applicants must hold an O6/H7 in Biology; Physics; Chemistry; Physics and Chemistry; or Agricultural Science. |
| Additional considerations |
A valid provisional C1 or full C1 licence is required prior to offer of a place on the programme. Applicants must produce a full C1 licence by the end of Year 1. Penalty points may preclude progression. Mature applicants should be 23 years old on or before January 1st of the year of enrolment. Mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1 February. Application information for mature student applicants (PDF) Students are required to successfully complete a Garda Vetting process and Occupational Health Clearance QQI EntryCertain QQI Awards are acceptable in fulfilling admission requirements for this programme. Visit the UL Undergraduate Admissions QQI site for a full list of modules. |
| Non-EU Entry Requirements |
Filters |
How to Apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU Students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
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 | €7,354 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €10,450 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €7,354 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €10,450 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €7,354 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €10,450 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €24,719 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €24,815 |
Student course fees are comprised of three 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 curent student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €96. 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
-
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
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
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 the citizenship and/or 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 this course
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson and Johnson WiSTEM2D Programme |
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €5,000 | 5 |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your Future Career
As a graduate of Paramedic Studies, you will be ready for employment within state and private emergency medical services.
Student Profile - Mark Williams
Paramedic practice is a fast-developing profession which is finding it’s foothold in the medical world, and this degree programme is the next logical step for practitioner training and development. I’ve been outside formal education for quite a while but UL’s innovative course structure offered just what I was looking for and suited me. I enjoy the different teaching approach at UL. I’m expected to go beyond what’s given to me during lectures and classroom sessions, finding information and evidence for myself to inform my practice and develop my knowledge. This is a vital skill as I’m entering a profession that is constantly changing and developing as new therapies and treatments are offered to patients.
In the first year of the course, there is a lot of theory and learning followed by some placements. I love the challenges that each patient presents, whether that’s basic communication, assessment and treatment decisions, or extrication and transport. No two patients are the same, and you never know what is coming next!
The second year of our course is working for the Paramedic Emergency Service in Liverpool. Working with Paramedics on the front line, we’re responding to everything from coughs and colds to cardiac arrests, from sunstroke to stabbings and everything in between. The placement is a critical part of our registration requirements to work as Paramedics in Ireland. The exposure to all types of calls, from newborns to centenarians, puts all our theory and learning into practice. I’m seeing how classroom scenarios translate into real life, learning from experienced colleagues, learning my craft and picking up all sorts of tips and tricks! It’s hard work – physically and mentally – but very rewarding and very enjoyable. This year has completely reinforced the idea that I’ve made the right career choice!