Paramedicine
Our BSc Paramedicine degree, offered by the College of Medicine and Health, will prepare you for work as a Paramedic practitioner in the pre-hospital environment. The course will provide you with a variety of modules in numerous settings including modules in theory and clinical practice. In addition, you will participate in ambulance-supervised placements and multiple clinical settings such as emergency departments, coronary care units etc.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate entry requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in a Lab Science, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7
Lab Science H4
The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry, and Agricultural Science.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
BSc Paramedicine aims to provide you with sound paramedic skills (and the supporting knowledge base) necessary for starting your professional career as a Paramedic. These skills will be further developed through clinical experience.
You will also develop skills in independent thinking, problem-solving, and analytical and clinical decision-making, as well as fundamental research utilisation and application skills. As this programme includes a significant piece of scholarly research it allows our students the option to continue their discipline in an academic context.
The combination of academic rigour and reflection on current practice also provides you with various options for future career developments including postgraduate education.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 6
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 30
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Course Outline
Our BSc Paramedicine degree, offered by the College of Medicine and Health, will prepare you for work as a Paramedic practitioner in the pre-hospital environment. The course will provide you with a variety of modules in numerous settings including modules in theory and clinical practice. In addition, you will participate in ambulance-supervised placements and multiple clinical settings such as emergency departments, coronary care units etc.
The four-year degree comprises modules worth 60 credits per year. Year 1 is divided between college-based learning, and hospital/ambulance placements during which the curriculum for the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) National Qualification for Emergency Medicine Technician (NQEMT) will be covered.
In Year 2 of the programme you will continue to develop and consolidate your knowledge and experience in college-based learning and hospital placements followed by a paid clinical internship in Year 3. By Year 4 you will focus on your clinical and research practice while an active member of an operational ambulance crew.
BSc Paramedicine will provide excellent opportunities for you to develop skills relevant to the scope of practice for registered paramedics. On graduating with a degree in Paramedicine, you will be able to practice autonomously in the field of pre-hospital care.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
Our BSc (Hons) Paramedicine programme places our students in major hospitals and ambulance bases throughout the State, enabling you to consolidate your learning and gain clinical exposure throughout the programme. Clinical placements are facilitated by the HSE National Ambulance Service. Our extensive network of teaching hospitals includes Cork University Hospital which is a Major Trauma Centre.
You will have the opportunity to travel the world on summer electives or begin practice as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) after successfully completing the first year of the programme.
David Hick
info.emed@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5568
www.ucc.ie/en/medical
Mr Kieran Henry
info.emed@ucc.ie