Bachelor of Paramedicine
Confidently provide healthcare in a community-based setting. Paramedics are often the first contacts for people who require emergency primary healthcare. This program will provide you with a strong foundation in clinical sciences and paramedicine.
In this program you will:
- Explore all areas of paramedic practice including human pathophysiology, behavioural health, pharmacology, clinical leadership, and legal and ethical practice
- Learn from experienced paramedics and other professionals to provide you with clinical knowledge, skills and practice
- Gain hands-on experience through real-life simulations in our specialised paramedic labs and complete clinical placements
- Be eligible on graduation to apply to AHPRA for registration as a Registered Paramedic and membership with the Australasian College of Paramedicine
Location
Entry threshold
ATAR/RankDuration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2024 fees (A$)
CSPQTAC code
Start
- Semester 1
Career opportunities
- Aeromedical
- Ambulance paramedic
- Clinical education
- Pre-hospital emergency care
- Remote and rural healthcare
- Rescue and retrieval
Memberships
Graduates may be eligible to become members of:
- Australasian College of Paramedicine
Accreditation
On graduation you will be eligible to apply to Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration as a Registered Paramedic.*
*subject to final approval
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Delivery mode
-
- Blended Learning
- Total courses
- 24
- Total units
- 288
- Duration
- 3 years 3 years
- UniSC program code
- SC306
Introductory courses (9) 108 units
HLT100 Anatomy and Physiology
HLT103 Professional Health Communication
LFS103 Introductory Bioscience
PAR101 Paramedic Professional Studies
PAR102 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Clinical Foundations
PAR103 Paramedic Foundation Practicum 1
PSY103 Applied Psychology in Health Care
PUB112 Public Health Foundations
SCI110 Science Research Methods
Developing (9) 108 units
BIM263 Introduction to Pharmacology
HLT221 Human Pathophysiology
PAR200 Paramedic Primary Healthcare - Cardiology
PAR201 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Community Paramedicine
PAR202 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Medical
PAR203 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 2
PAR204 Paramedic Primary Healthcare - Respiratory and Immunology
PAR212 Paramedic Primary Healthcare - Trauma
PAR222 Legal and Ethical Practice in EMS (Emergency Medical Services)
Graduate courses (6) 72 units
HLT301 Contexts of Practice: Mental Health Care
PAR301 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Maternal and Neonatal Health
PAR302 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Substance Use and Toxicology
PAR311 Leadership in Clinical Practice
PAR312 Paramedic Clinical Practicum 3
PAR321 Paramedic Primary Healthcare: Transition to Practice
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.
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| Applicant background | No. of students | % of all students |
|---|---|---|
Notes
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N/A - Students not accepted in this category
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Adjusted ATARs are a calculation of a student's ATAR + eligible adjustment factors and are used to determine admission. The raw ATAR is the student's rank before any adjustments are applied.
Minimum entry threshold
Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.
| Location | ATAR/Rank |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 80.00 |
Post admission requirements
To be eligible to commence clinical placement you must provide evidence of having met all mandatory requirements by the Friday of Week 13 of Semester 1. Failure to do so will prevent you from commencing Clinical Placement and will delay the completion of your studies.
Go to the Paramedic Science - Clinical Practicums page to find out more about Clinical Placements and mandatory requirements.
You will be required to purchase the student paramedic uniform which includes shirt, trousers, boots, belt, personal protective equipment and soft shell jacket before going on placement. The approximate cost of the full uniform set is $600. You will also be required to purchase other items of personal medical equipment such as a stethoscope and sphygmomanometer.
Additional entry information
Applicants from a non-English speaking background must attain an IELTS score of at least 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each subtest. Refer to English language requirements.
- Recommended prior study
- English; Biology; at least one other science subject
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
To undertake Clinical practicum in Queensland with QAS and other health care facilities, you must meet the Mandatory Requirements by Week 13 of Semester 1.
Before undertaking clinical placements with the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and other clinical placement providers, students must meet the mandatory requirements by Week 13 of Semester 1::
- Satisfactorily complete a health and medical assessment with approved providers,
- Complete a health-related fitness assessment with approved providers,
- Provide evidence of Hepatitis B immunity or inability to seroconvert,
- Satisfactorily complete a National Criminal History Check,
- Obtain a current Apply (Senior) First Aid and CPR certificate,
- Obtain a current Mental Health First Aid certificate, and
- Obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian - CCYPCG).
For more information about Clinical Practicum and the Mandatory Requirements checklist refer to Paramedic Science – Clinical Practicum.
Students can access important information about clinical placement with the Queensland Ambulance Service on their website as well https://www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/clinicalplacements.html.
Students may be required to complete up to 50% of their clinical placements outside of the Sunshine Coast Region.
Note: Students are required to commence action of the above requirements immediately after enrolling. Hepatitis B immunity can take up to six months to determine and the processing of your USC Blue Card can take up to 12 weeks.
Program notes
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods, including case studies, essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests, clinical scenarios (OSCA’s) and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- The Study Overseas Program is not currently available to paramedic students.
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Students will be required to cover all additional costs associated with this program. Information outlining the current requirements will be made available to all prospective applicants, and students will be provided more detailed information on starting the program.
- Some courses within this program must be completed over the Summer and Winter Semesters and require students to commit to full-time unpaid employment.
- Not available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses
- Students may be required to complete up to 50% of their clinical placements outside of the Sunshine Coast Region.
Headstart Program - Year 11 or 12
The Headstart program lets you study uni subjects while you’re still in high school. If you successfully complete two Headstart courses, you’ll get a selection rank that you could use to get into uni.
Early Offer Guarantee scheme - Year 12
The Early Offer Guarantee scheme enables Year 12 students to be offered a place at USC on the basis of their Principal's recommendation.
Previous qualifications or experience
If you:
- have completed Year 12 (no matter how long ago)
- have a TAFE/VET qualification
- have relevant work experience, or
- have studied at university before (even if you didn’t complete your studies)
You may be eligible for a selection rank, which can help you get into uni. For more detailed information selection ranks and how applications are assessed, visit Admissions explained.
Tertiary Preparation Pathway
If you don’t have qualifications or experience that will give you a selection rank, you can complete the Tertiary Preparation Pathway as a stepping stone into most degrees. You can also use TPP to complete subject prerequisites.
If you haven’t studied in a while, TPP is also a great way to brush up on essential study skills like critical reading, assignment writing and referencing.
It can also build your knowledge and confidence in the subject areas you’ll need for your degree, like science or maths. TPP courses are fee-free for eligible domestic students.
I identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
You may be eligible for direct entry into a UniSC degree based on your potential to succeed, under UniSC’s Indigenous Direct Entry and Access Scheme (IDEAS). All you have to do is complete an online application through our website.
- CSP estimate
- A$10,984 - 2024 Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
Domestic applicants apply for admission through the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). Some applicants may be eligible to apply direct to UniSC if they meet certain criteria.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
QTAC code
| Location | QTAC code |
|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast | 013431 |
Student story
Need advice on what to study or how to apply?
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Email us information@usc.edu.au
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