Information on this page is for Australian residents

View information for international students

Duration: 
3 years full time or longer for part time
Location: 
St Albans
Delivery mode: 
Blended
Face to Face
Workplace

Applications are not being taken at this time

Register your interest

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.

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 $58,000. A first year advanced life support paramedic in Victoria can expect a salary of $72,000 (State Government statement).

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

 

Leading paramedicine in the UAE

After graduating as a paramedic, Ahmed Saleh Alhajeri returned home to found the UAE's leading ambulance service.
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.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course.

Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

  • TAFE: Completion of a cognate (similar discipline) Australian Diploma or Advanced Diploma (or equivalent) will be granted advanced standing of a maximum of 96 credit points (Diploma) or 144 credit points (Advanced Diploma). Inherent requirements must be met.
  • Year 12: 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 at least 20 in any other English.
  • Mature: Applicants with relevant work, education and/or community experience will be considered for admission to the course. Applicants should provide an overview and verifiable documentation of their entire educational history. Applicants must complete and submit a Personal Statement. Applicants must include details of their interest in the course and any relevant work experience. Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the pre-hospital profession and the role of the paramedic in their Personal Statement and their application. Inherent requirements must be met.

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 degree. 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.

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process.

Find out more about admissions at VU

How to apply

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Paramedic courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

Enquire now

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

Information marked with an asterisk * is required.

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.