Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science)

Your Course at a Glance

• Kick-start a career as a paramedic
• Go to university without A-Levels
• Learn how to handle respiratory and cardiovascular emergencies
• Get prepared for degree-level study
• Study online from the comfort of your own home
• No exams

About Your Diploma

Are you driven by a desire to help others and aspire to become a paramedic? Our online Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science) is your gateway to this rewarding profession. Designed specifically for adults returning to education, this diploma equips you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to advance to a university-level paramedic science degree and ultimately become a vital part of the emergency medical services.

Why Become a Paramedic?

Paramedics play a crucial role in healthcare, providing life-saving care in emergencies and serving as the frontline responders during critical moments. Their expertise and swift actions can mean the difference between life and death, making them indispensable in our communities. As a paramedic, you will have the opportunity to provide compassionate care, support patients in their most vulnerable times, and work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where every day brings new challenges and rewards.

Preparing for a Future in Paramedic Science

Our course, along with the degree you’ll be eligible to pursue, will provide a comprehensive range of skills and knowledge that will benefit you throughout your career.

An Access to Higher Education Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels and is widely accepted in place of A Levels for university applications. It's important to check with your chosen university to confirm their acceptance.

This course is designed to give you a strong foundation in paramedic science and to enhance your study skills to support your success in higher education.

Getting Started

Our course is crafted by subject matter experts in collaboration with universities to ensure that the material is highly relevant and valuable for your future degree studies.

This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science) is delivered entirely online, allowing you to study from the comfort of your home. Once enrolled, you’ll have immediate 24/7 access to all course materials, enabling you to start learning right away.

You’ll receive an Individual Learning Plan as part of the course, which details assignment deadlines and helps you stay organised and on track. While the diploma can be completed within two years, most learners typically finish in approximately 9 months.

As the UK’s leading online course provider, learndirect ensures you receive support throughout your studies. Our digital learning platform, combined with a dedicated team of tutors, will assist you every step of the way. They will answer your questions, mark your assignments, and provide comprehensive feedback to help you achieve the best possible results and reach your goals.

Modules

Unit 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Unit 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Unit 3: Healthcare Communication

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the methods and barriers of communication in healthcare
• Be able to analyse the importance of good communication skills in healthcare
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

Unit 4: Professional Behaviours: Nursing and Health Professionals

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the characteristics required to be a health professional making reference to the relevant professional and regulatory body's and the Professional Standards Authority standards for registration in relation to, patient-centred care and concepts of professionalism as they apply to conduct, performance and ethics of those on the relevant professional and regulatory body's register
• Understand effective communication and teamworking skills
• Know how to manage risk and deal effectively with problems
• Reflect on own personal and professional practice and develop a personal and professional development plan

Unit 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI in healthcare
• Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of NHS policies and/or initiaives in promoting EDI

Unit 6: The Structure and Function of Cells

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand cellular structure and organisation
• Be able to analyse cellular activity
• Be able to analyse the cell cycle

Unit 7: Human Musculoskeletal System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
• Be able to analyse muscle contraction
• Understand the development of bone

Unit 8: Numeracy in a Health Context

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand and use the four rules of number, including in relation to units of measure
• Understand and use decimals, fractions and percentages, including in relation to units of measure
• Know how to use a calculator to solve problems and use appropriate tools to check their answers

Unit 9: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
• Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
• Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary team approach to working in a chosen health care setting

Unit 10: Endocrine System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
• Be able to analyse homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Understand the action of hormones

Unit 11: Mental Health

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how society determines and responds to three behaviours experienced by individuals suffering from mental ill health
• Understand the influence of biological, social and environmental factors in relation to menta health
• Be able to evaluate different strategies for therapy and care of mental health disorders

Unit 12: Respiratory Emergencies

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the respiratory system
• Be able to evaluate respiratory illnesses
• Understand the impact of trauma and obstruction to the respiratory system
• Understand how a patient experiencing respiratory difficulties is initially assessed
• Understand how a patient experiencing respiratory difficulties is treated by paramedics

Unit 13: Nervous System

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the basic structure and function of the nervous system
• Understand the nature of nerve impulses
• Be able to assess the prinicples of synaptic transmission

Unit 14: Cardiovascular Emergencies

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the cardiovascular system
• Understand cardiovascular disease
• Be able to evaluate the impact of cardiovascular trauma
• Understand how a patient experiencing cardiac irregularities is assessed by paramedics
• Understand how a patient experiencing cardiac irregularities is treated by paramedics

Unit 15: Managing Challenging Behaviour

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of mental health on behaviour
• Understand how drugs and alcohol can impact behaviour
• Be able to analyse how to manage challenging behaviour

Unit 16: Infection and Immunity

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how the human body responds to infection
• Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
• Be able to analyse how infections can be prevented by vaccination
• Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum Age Restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average Completion Timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment Requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: essay, scenario analysis, illustrated report, experiment, presentation (video and audio recording), series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

Exams Required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional Requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have completed and passed the course induction and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

A range of units make up this qualification, with an assignment at the end of each. You will submit your work to your tutor for marking and tailored feedback. You must acquire 60 credits in total in order to achieve the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science). Of these credits, 45 will be taken from graded units which focus on the academic subject areas included in the course. The remaining 15 come from ungraded units included to help you to improve your academic writing and study skills.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete a course induction which comprises of three short introductory tasks to support the development of your academic study skills.

As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science), (QAA aim code: 40014204), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

Achieving an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Paramedic Science) and subsequently earning a degree in paramedic science opens the door to a variety of rewarding career paths in the healthcare sector. Here are some of the career options you can pursue:

• Paramedic
• Advanced Paramedic Practitioner
• Ambulance Service Team Leader
• Emergency Care Practitioner
• Community Paramedic

Further Qualifications and Prospects

After completing a degree in paramedic science, there are numerous opportunities for further qualifications and career advancement within the UK. These additional certifications and advanced studies can help you specialise in specific areas of paramedic practice or move into leadership and educational roles. Some of the potential routes include:

• Master’s degree in paramedic science
• Specialist paramedic training
• Advanced Paramedic Practice certification
• Leadership and management courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out how this course has helped real-life learners – people just like you - to reach their goals and achieve success! 

Tom
Overcame personal challenges, rediscovered his passion, and is now on the path to fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a paramedic.

“So, at the age of 9/10, I wanted to be a paramedic, but school wasn't a friend of mine and I left with just a couple of GCSEs. Being diagnosed dyslexic and ADHD made it tougher. Just signing up for this course was an entire leap of faith... Well, there you have it folks. I've done it. I got an offer from my first-choice university. I'm lost for words. But I got here... If I can do it so can any of you!”