Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2017.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 240 credits by this date.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification, please contact the Centre for Qualifications and Ceremonies on +44 (0)1908 653003 or by email.
This Foundation Degree has been specially developed for staff working in a variety of paramedic support settings, such as emergency response units. It values and builds on your experience to help you develop the knowledge, skills and competences that underpin effective practice across the paramedic science field. Your study will take an inter-disciplinary approach, with opportunities for specialisation where appropriate. You’ll also combine work-based with distance learning, enabling you to remain in employment while you study. The Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences is attuned to the NHS modernisation agenda, the Knowledge and Skills Framework and the Health and Care Professions Council’s standards of proficiency. Responsibility for your learning is shared between your employer and the Open University. We provide study materials, tutorial support and assessment, while your employer manages the practice learning element of the course. The OU can also offer support in training staff identified as workplace mentors.
The programme of study for this Foundation Degree is also offered as the Diploma of Higher Education in Paramedic Sciences (E52).
Planning your studies
Whether or not you’re new to study with the OU we recommend that you start with a module at Level 1 and that you complete your Level 1 study before going on to Level 2.
For this foundation degree you must start with Health sciences in practice (S110) or Demonstrating practice in health sciences (SZL110) alongside Introducing health sciences: a case study approach (SDK125) although you can study SDK125 first if you wish. These modules are now discontinued.
You can claim the Certificate of Higher Education in Healthcare Sciences (K06) on successful completion of the Level 1 modules that make up this foundation degree.
Entry requirements – Although some modules in the foundation degree are available to all students, the full degree is at present restricted to students who are employed within a paramedic science setting and are being supported in their practice learning by their employer. For further information, employers and individuals can contact us.
Please note – if you are including discontinued modules towards this qualification they may cease to be countable five years after their final presentation.
You should also note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 80 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you. Before being awarded any intermediate qualifications, we advise you to check that you’ll have sufficient new credits to qualify for your foundation degree.
Career relevance and employability
The Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This means that on successful completion of the qualification, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for professional registration as a Paramedic.
This foundation degree course has been developed to meet the needs of staff already employed as paramedic support workers in a health care setting, and will benefit both you and your workplace by enhancing your skills base.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this 240-credit foundation degree you require:
100 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module S110 or SZL110
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module SDK125
|
30 |
|
- Molecules, medicines and drugs: a chemical story (SK185)
|
10 |
|
And a minimum of 20 credits from the following optional modules:
Level 1 optional modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- An introduction to health and social care (K101)*
|
60 |
|
- Maths for science (S151)
|
10 |
|
- Understanding the autism spectrum (SK124)
|
15 |
|
Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules K100, KYN100, S103, S104*, S171, S187, SDK122, SK120, SK121, SK123, SK183, SK195, SMK184, SXR103, Y158, Y178
* 60-credit module of which only 20 credits count towards this qualification
And 120 credits from the following compulsory modules:
Level 2 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
- The discontinued module S211
|
60 |
|
- The discontinued module SK277
|
30 |
|
- The science of the mind: investigating mental health (SDK228)
|
30 |
|
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of modules so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules students will be awarded a Foundation Degree in Paramedic Sciences and will be entitled to use the letters FD (Open) after their name.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification