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.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
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 Older Person.
| 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.
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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 |
409
|
|---|---|
| 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 |
#Test / Interview / Portfolio / Audition Evidence of a clean unrestricted Full B driving licence and a minimum provisional C1 driving 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. Automatic vehicle licences will not be accepted as holders are not eligible to apply for a C1 licence thereafter. 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 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 |
|
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
Additional Requirements
In addition to the course fees (outlined below), all students must pay a Healthcare Screening cost of €150 in Year 1. This covers occupational health screening and the management of student immunisation status for placements. This does not include the administration of any required vaccinations. This is separate and managed on a case-by-case basis depending on each student.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
You will be required to have the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to complete the internship phase of the programme (helmet, steel-toe boots, safety goggles). Further information on how to purchase will be provided by the School upon enrolment.
Students are also advised to have a laptop.
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 | €4,262 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,262 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €7,362 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €25,118 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €100 |
| €25,218 |
Student course fees are comprised of the following 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 current student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €100. 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 both the citizenship and 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 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| 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
Student Profile-Maria Cummins
I chose to work for a few years after I left school. When the covid pandemic hit, it gave me time to reflect and think about life and what I wanted to do. I chose a career as a paramedic, as I wanted to help people. I decided that the BSc Paramedic Studies in University of Limerick suited me.
As a mature applicant, I needed to do an Interview and obtain a C1 license. I also underwent an Occupational Health assessment. The first year of the course, although tough and challenging -was very enjoyable! I met incredible people who helped me along the way.
During the first year we learned the theory and skills necessary to provide safe patient care. First year also included a variety of placements, such as, A&E, Theatre, CCU, Paediatrics, Maternity, Fire Service and Ambulance. We also sat regulator exams during first year. I am currently in Year 2 and on ambulance placement with the National Ambulance Service in the Midwest Region. I find that no two days are the same.
From student’s point of view- working with the National Ambulance Service in Year 2 is fantastic. On this paid internship, we are given the opportunity to learn vital skills and gain experience under the supervision of very experienced paramedics. I am learning so much from my colleagues on the road. Years 3 and 4 are structured in a way that enables students to work as a paramedic and complete their level 8 honours degree. I have made great friends on the programme in University of Limerick. I am very happy with the career choice I have made.
Maria Cummins (Year 2, BSc Paramedic Studies)
Graduate Profile: Cian Naughton
I applied for the BSc Paramedic Studies in Ul through the CAO in 2019 and obtained my C1 licence also that year. I dreamed of becoming a paramedic from a young age, so being accepted onto the programme was a huge achievement and stepping stone towards realising that dream.
The first year consisted of classroom-based theory and practice placements in a variety of locations allied with the University. The second year consisted of a paid internship, working full time on an emergency ambulance, learning from each call that I attended and supported by experienced pre-hospital care providers. Although we had practiced patient care scenarios in the classroom-there is nothing like the real world to gain experience!
Once I successfully completed year 2, I received my PHECC paramedic license. This enabled me to work as a fully qualified paramedic in Ireland. In years 3 and 4, I was able to combine working full time, while obtaining my level 8 honours degree.
I thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially the practical elements. Working full-time from year 2 onwards allowed me to achieve a great work life balance. The programme enabled me to get vast hands-on experience with a wide range of patients presenting with the full spectrum of illnesses and injuries.
I graduated in September 2023 and am incredibly happy in my employment with Dublin Fire Brigade. This course opened the door to education for me and has given me many great opportunities. I have expanded my network by meeting paramedics from many different backgrounds. My next step will hopefully be to complete a level 9 masters programme and build upon the academic skills I have learned during my time on this BSc.