Higher Education Courses

Direct Entry

Level two qualifications which must be achieved prior to application:

·         GCSE at Grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics, or

·         Irish Leaving Certificate Grade B3 or above including English and Maths, or

·         Scottish qualifications, Intermediate standard 2 or above in English and Maths.

·         Other international qualifications may be accepted based on verification of equivalency via NARIC.

If English is not your first language, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7 or more.

Plus one of the following Level three qualifications which you may be working towards:

·         GCE A/A2 Level

160 UCAS Tariff points from a maximum of three A/A2 level passes.  General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.

·         GCE AS/A1 Level

Two subjects accepted with A/A2 level passes.  Must achieve a minimum of 160 UCAS Tariff points.  General Studies and Critical Thinking excluded.

·         GCE/AVCE Double Award in Health and Social Care

Minimum grade CC required (160 tariff points)

·         GCE A/A” Level with additional AS/A1 (9 Units)

GCE A/A2 Level grade A plus AS/A1 Level grade B required (170 tariff points)

·         BTEC National Certificate in Health and Social Care

Minimum grade MM required (160 tariff points)

·         BTEC National Diploma in Health and Social Care

Minimum grade MMP required (160 tariff points)

·         BTEC National Certificate in Early Years

Grade DM required (160 tariff points)

·         BTEC National Diploma in Early Years

Minimal Grade MMP (160 tariff points)

·         International Baccalaureate Diploma

Minimum Grade 24 (260 tariff points)

·         Cache Diploma in Childcare and Education

Minimum grade D (180 tariff points)

·         Access to HE Diploma

Full award (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at level 3 and 15 at level 2 which must include Mathematics and English Language GCSE equivalent if not already achieved.

·         Advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care

Full award required

·         NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Full award required

·         Irish Leaving Certificate

Maximum of 5 highers at Grade C3 or above to achieve 160 UCAS points

·         Scottish Qualifications

Maximum of 5 advanced higher at grade C or above to achieve 160 UCAS Tariff points

·         14-19 Progression Diploma in Society Health and Development

Minimum Grade C (200 UCAS Tariff points)

·         14 – 19 Advanced Diploma in Society, Health and Development

Full award.

Non Direct Entry

·         Be working in an appropriate area of practice

·         Have the full support of your Line Manager or Trust to undertake the course

·         Have access to a mentor who has received/ or is prepared to receive prior to commencement of the programme, training from Birmingham City university in regard to the specifics of the course learning outcomes, competences and requirements of the programme.

·         Hold IHCD Ambulance Technician Award

Evidence of Literacy and Numeracy (Minimum of GCSE A* to C in Maths and English or Adult Training Scheme key skills level 2 in literacy and numeracy)

Criteria for admission

All candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of the programme, which are as follows:

Attend a joint university/employer selection day.

Whilst not essential it would be beneficial for applicants to possess a full clean UK manual driver's licence and where possible have provisional C1 entitlement added to their licence.

 You must be physically fit and have the strength to lift and carry patients and equipment. This will be tested at the selection event during the fitness test.

You must be able and prepared to undertake shift work e.g. night duty, evenings, religious festivals and weekends.

Evidence of good health and good character are required and assessed by medical screening and Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure.

Claims by students who wish to APEL are approved by the Personal Development Department on an individual basis.

Placements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 750 hours of clinical practice in each year of the programme.  In the first year this will include placements in an ambulance environment with your final placement of this year being in an operating theatre.  The theatre placement will be for a minimum of one week with the potential for longer placements being negotiated on an individual basis.

In the second year of the programme you will again have placements in an ambulance environment but also will undertake placements in a coronary care unit and an obstetric unit for a minimum of one day each, but again there is potential for longer placements negotiated on an individual basis. There are also opportunities to undertake placements in a range of additional placement areas recommended by the College of Paramedics to allow development in specific areas that are appropriate to students specific development needs. These are negotiated on an individual basis and must be taken in the placement blocks.   

Some placement areas are available in the West Midlands region; however we have practice placement partners in a wide geographic area  outside of the West Midlands. These may suit you if you live closer to those areas or require a specific placements e.g. air ambulance, custody areas mental health units.  Please remember that travel costs to all placement areas and accommodation costs are the responsibility of the student but may in some cases be reimbursable.