Emergency

You can get into this work through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• a trainee scheme

University

You'll need to do a paramedic science degree approved by the Health and Care Professions Council.

Full-time courses usually take 3 years.

You may be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• NHS Learning Support Fund|https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Paramedic Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This takes 3 years to complete and is a mix of on-the-job training and classroom learning.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• search for apprenticeships on NHS Jobs|https://www.jobs.nhs.uk/candidate
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

You could start as an ambulance care assistant or an emergency medical technician, also known as an associate ambulance practitioner (AAP).

With experience you could apply for a place on a paramedic training scheme. You would need to check the application and entry requirements with individual ambulance service trusts.

Volunteering and work experience

Entry to paramedic courses is very competitive and it may help you if you have some relevant experience or training. You could:

• volunteer as a first responder with a charity or social enterprise, like St John Ambulance
• volunteer with an NHS ambulance trust
• work at a residential care home or day care centre
• get a first aid certificate
• work in an office-based job for an ambulance service

You can find more information on how to get relevant healthcare work experience from Health Careers

Other routes

You could apply for a training scheme as a student paramedic with an ambulance service. You would study for a university paramedic qualification while working at the same time.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• Many ambulance services will expect you to have a full driving licence by the time you finish your training and preferably a C1 driving licence that allows you to drive medium-sized vehicles.
• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
• pass a medical check

More information

Career tips

When applying for degree courses or apprenticeships, you'll be expected to show an understanding of how NHS values apply in your work.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the College of Paramedics and get access to courses, conferences and workshops to keep your skills up to date. You can also swap ideas with colleagues in the profession.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a paramedic from the College of Paramedics and Health Careers.

View all vacancies in this region

With at least 2 years' experience and extra training, you could become:a team leader; a specialist paramedic; an emergency care practitioner

You could also move into operations management, education and training, or train to work in other areas of healthcare, for example nursing.