Information on this page is for Australian residents

View information for international students

Start date:
25 February 2019
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 70.05
*Offers made in 2018. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
St Albans

Apply

Overview

Begin a challenging and rewarding career as a paramedic with a Bachelor of Paramedicine from VU.

You will gain the skills, knowledge and techniques to treat patients in out-of-hospital care. You will be able to manage all aspects of the needs of paramedic patients (physical, psychological, social).

This course will prepare you to be sensitive to issues in diverse communities and treat patients accordingly.

Our paramedicine degree is held in very high regard in the industry for its hands-on approach. You will learn through practical scenarios and clinical placements, and also gain a solid understanding of theory.

VU graduates are compassionate and highly capable professionals. Studying at VU will prepare you for the real world of emergency health.

A key part of your paramedic course will be spending time in ambulances, observing and assisting as part of your paramedic clinical placements.

You will gain direct practical experience as a real paramedic under a clinical supervisor within Ambulance Victoria. These placements will provide you with confidence and a competitive advantage in the workforce.

Some of your 360 hours clinical-placement experience will be completed in a high-fidelity simulation suite.

In our laboratories, you can practise your new skills in a safe environment. You will learn through simulation scenarios where you will role play, acting out realistic emergency responses.

Our strong partnership with Ambulance Victoria keeps our teaching methods up-to-date and relevant.

Our state-of-the-art facilities include:

  • clinical practice rooms
  • self-directed learning laboratories
  • life-like mannequin technology
  • simulation suites.

Delivery mode

Blended, Face to Face, Workplace

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

Already a VU student?

To transfer into this course from another apply online at our Admissions centre.

Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

Paramedics students in ambulance simulator during paramedic prac lab.

Practical learning - paramedicine - Transcript

Careers in paramedicine

Working as a paramedic is demanding but rewarding. Paramedicine is a competitive sector. VU graduates have the practical skills, knowledge and personal attributes to gain employment in this field.

Potential employers include:

  • ambulance services worldwide
  • rural and remote paramedic practice
  • non-emergency patient transport.

Employment for ambulance officers and paramedics to 2020 is expected to grow strongly (Job Outlook). You’ll also have work opportunities interstate and overseas. Many of our graduates have secured positions in countries such as the United Kingdom.

Example job titles include:

  • paramedic
  • air ambulance paramedic
  • ambulance community officer
  • clinical instructor
  • MICA paramedic.

Salary for paramedics

A first year paramedic in Victoria can expect a salary of $58,348. (PayScale).

Although it varies by state, the average annual salary of an ambulance officer or paramedic in Australia is $71,708 (JobOutlook).

 

How Nikki became a life-saving CEO

Nikki is co-founder and CEO of an organisation that provides first aid training to school students, workplaces and parents.

Read more

Ambulance Authorities Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Council of Ambulance Authorities. A Bachelor of Paramedicine from an accredited university is the only qualification accepted by Ambulance Victoria.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to join Paramedics Australasia, the peak professional association representing paramedic practitioners.

Course structure

To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

  • 48 credit points of Core College studies;
  • 240 credit points of Core Paramedic studies;

Students will have the opportunity to complete two (2) specialist units in third year, as follows:

  • 24 credit points of Specialist Paramedic studies.

In the final third year, Students will have the option of completing HIP3001 Interprofessional Practice in either Semester 1 or 2, or alternatively, HFB3200 Pinnacle Venture in Semester 2.

First Year Core units

Year 2

Semester 1:

Semester 2:

Year 3

Semester 1:

(HFB3134 is a Capstone Unit)

Select either ONE (1) of the following units:

OR:

Semester 2:

(HFB3226 is a Capstone Unit)

Select either ONE (1) of the following units:

OR:

We've changed the way we teach our courses, so that you experience a first year like no other - focused on you and your success.

From 2018, the first-year of this bachelor degree* will see units delivered one at a time, in four-week blocks. This means you won't have to juggle the deadlines and demands of studying multiple units at once. Instead you'll complete one unit before moving on to the next.

All units will be conducted in small class sizes with three face-to-face sessions per week. This means you will get more one-on-one time with your teachers.

You will have access to different learning and teaching methods including:

  • online
  • educator-led delivery
  • tutorials
  • group work
  • laboratory and practical work (where it applies).

You will have access to additional activities designed to extend and improve your skills. These activities foster the skills you need to be an adaptable, resilient, confident and competent learner and employee.

Find out more about our First Year Model.

* Melbourne-based campuses only

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse, evaluate and manage the physical, psychological and social needs of patients and members of the community undergoing paramedic assessment, treatment and transport, and apply problem solving skills when planning and implementing out-of-hospital care;  
  2. Perform effective evidence based paramedic skills and techniques within paramedic protocols and apply paramedic knowledge necessary for safe, efficient and effective practice within paramedic environments;  
  3. Interpret the paramedic needs of patients and members of the community within a holistic framework and apply an integrated holistic approach of evidence based paramedic practice;  
  4. Perform effectively and safely as an independent person and as a member of a health care team in paramedic environments;  
  5. Be sensitive to contemporary issues within socially and culturally diverse communities and predict and respond effectively to such issues when providing paramedic practice;  
  6. Critically review current research and evidence based developments in paramedic practice and evaluate their implications for paramedics and the profession.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re a Commonwealth supported student or full-fee paying.

If you enrol in a:

To calculate the total cost of your course:

  1. Select which units you’d like to study.
  2. Look up the individual unit costs in the higher education unit of study fees list.
  3. Add up the relevant amounts.

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about the university admission requirements for all applicants, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.

ATAR profile

ATAR [and Selection Rank] profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in 2018.

  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors) *		 Selection rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors) *
Highest rank to receive an offer 95.6 99.95
Median rank to receive an offer 65.15 79.75
Lowest rank to receive an offer 51.9 70.05

* “<5” – indicates less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made
N/P - No ATAR Profile available for this course due to the limited amount of data available.
RC – A range of criteria in addition to the ATAR was used for selection (e.g. test, interview).

Subject adjustments

A study score of 25 in Biology, Chemistry, English other than EAL, Health And Human Development, any Mathematics, Physics or Psychology equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of the Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport.
PLUS:
Three years (minimum) work/life experence in Health Sciences of similar.
AND:
Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
AND:
Provide a Personal Statement.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

Police check: Students must complete an annual National Police Check prior to undertaking placements.

Working with Children Check: Students must complete a Working with Children Check prior to undertaking placements.

Health status: Students must be prepared to declare their fitness for practice, immunisation status and serology reports annually.

Need help?

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Diploma of Paramedical Science

You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.

International Foundations at VU

You will be guaranteed entry only.

International Foundations at VU (Extended)

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course coordinator or academic adviser.

How to apply

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Apply through VTAC

You should apply through VTAC if you:

  • are applying for more than one course
  • are completing Year 12 in 2018
  • have an existing VTAC application to study in 2019.

VTAC course code: 4301343031

VTAC timely applications are due 27 September 2018.

Apply via VTAC

Special Entry Access Scheme

You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.

Apply direct to VU

You should apply direct to VU if you are:

  • only applying for this course; and
  • not completing Year 12.

If you have already applied through VTAC you must not apply directly to VU.

Direct applications are due on 17 February 2019 for our next intake which starts on 25 February 2019.

Apply direct to VU

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

Enquire now

Please fill out the form below, and we'll get back to you shortly.

Information marked with an asterisk * is required.

Refer to our Privacy Policy for more information.

Contact us

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.