Overview
Begin a challenging and rewarding career as a paramedic with a Bachelor of Paramedicine from VU.
Gain the skills and knowledge to achieve paramedic competencies in line with legislated paramedic professional capabilities (National Law). Our Bachelor of Paramedicine will prepare you for global employment as a registered paramedic.
Experience hands-on learning through our practical scenarios and industry-based education (Work Integrated Learning), while also gaining a thorough understanding of theory. This includes simulation-based learning in our high-fidelity simulation suites.
Our graduates provide emotionally-intelligent, culturally-safe, humanistic and patient-centred care for medical, trauma, and psychosocial health presentations. You will graduate as a registered paramedic with a diverse skillset that applies to primary, acute and emergency care settings.
Work Integrated Learning
A key part of your paramedic course will include Work Integrated Learning. This includes placement (work experience) spanning various models of care.
Out-of-hospital Work Integrated Learning may include work experience with community health providers and jurisdictional ambulance services.
Specialised facilities
Our specialised paramedic education facilities include high-fidelity simulation suites. These suites offer safe and realistic environments where you will practice and apply the paramedic professional capabilities and technical skills.
Simulation Integrated Learning is overseen by specialists who guide facilitatory staff (registered health professionals) through pre-planned, evidence-based scenarios and debriefs.
Professional registration
We are responsible for registering all paramedic students with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
All students and staff must adhere with AHPRA’s Shared Code of Conduct.
Visit AHPRA’s website to learn more about mandatory reporting expectations under National Law.
As a paramedic student, you will be eligible to join the Australasian College of Paramedicine, the peak professional association representing registered paramedics.
Study overseas while earning course credits
At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.
Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.
Course e-Brochure
Create a customised brochure in a few simple steps. Your brochure will include country-specific information.
Create an e-brochureHear from Dilan, Bachelor of Paramedicine student, about VU's Block Model.
Careers in paramedicine
Developing your career framework as a registered paramedic can involve numerous professional pathways.
Potential career pathways can include, but are not limited to:
- patient care provision via a jurisdictional ambulance service
- patient care provision and interdisciplinary collaboration in primary healthcare settings
- specialist paramedicine
- clinical education
- emergency management
- clinical governance
- research.
Nationally and internationally, registered paramedic scope and employment opportunities continue to diversify.
Course structure
For 2022 and 2023:
To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine, students will be required to complete:
- 288 credit points of Core units.
From 2024:
To attain HBPD Bachelor of Paramedicine, students will be required to complete:
- 276 credit points of Core studies;
- 12 credit points of Electives.
Course structure and units
COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2022
First Year Core units
-
- Unit code
- HBM1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1112
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HBM1202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HRE1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1213
- Credits
- 12
Year Two
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HFB2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2121
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2117
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1001
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB2233
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB2000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2232
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2223
- Credits
- 12
Year Three
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HFB3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3134
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3226
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3001
- Credits
- 12
COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2023
First Year Core units
-
- Unit code
- HBM1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1112
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HBM1202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HRE1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1213
- Credits
- 12
Year Two
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HFB2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2117
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2003
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HHB2000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2223
- Credits
- 12
Year Three
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HFB3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HRE1000
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB3134
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3226
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3001
- Credits
- 12
COURSE STRUCTURE FOR 2024
First Year Core units
-
- Unit code
- HBM1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1112
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HBM1202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HRE1000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB1213
- Credits
- 12
Year Two
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HHB2000
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2117
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2003
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB2004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2005
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB2223
- Credits
- 12
Year Three
Semester 1
-
- Unit code
- HFB3004
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3003
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3134
- Credits
- 12
Plus 12 credit points of Electives
-
- Unit code
- HFB3136
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HIP3001
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3200
- Credits
- 12
Semester 2
-
- Unit code
- HFB3202
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3226
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3002
- Credits
- 12
-
- Unit code
- HFB3001
- Credits
- 12
Achieve more with the VU Block Model
We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.
Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.
You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.
Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.
Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.
Find out more about the VU Block Model.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
| 1. | Exhibit professional, ethical, person-centred and culturally responsive out-of-hospital care across diverse health populations and settings consistent with the Paramedicine Board's (AHPRA) standards of practice; | ||
| 2. | Exemplify critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to safely, effectively and holistically provide person-centred, evidence-based assessment and management of patients across the lifespan; | ||
| 3. | Exhibit advanced communication and collaboration skills when working with patients, families, other health professionals and agencies within the healthcare setting; | ||
| 4. | Critically reflect on and learn from practice, recognising the need for self-care strategies and life long professional learning and development; | ||
| 5. | Exemplify effective leadership and mentoring skills within relevant clinical and professional frameworks; | ||
| 6. | Assess and manage risk to the paramedic, patient and others by performing effectively and safely in line with legal and regulatory obligations and requirements; and | ||
| 7. | Exemplify culturally safe, capable and responsive practice, value diversity among peoples and engage in inclusive practices that promote the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and culturally diverse communities. |
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.
Admissions
Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, 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.
Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.
Inherent Requirements
'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.
You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.
We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.
Entry requirements
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 (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course (or equivalent).
Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.
Additional information
Students are required to be able to satisfy the safe practice requirements set by the clinical placement provider prior to commencing the second year of study and are required to maintain the currency of the safe practice requirements for the full duration of their course. Note, some requirements need to be renewed prior to the commencement of each of the third year.
Current requirements are:
· Working with Children Check
· Annual National Police check (Fit2Work)
. Infection control - donning and doffing of personal protective equipment (PPE)
· Medical Report (InjuryNET)
· Physical Report (InjuryNET)
· Mask Fit Testing
· Clinical Placement Provider Student Undertaking Form
· VU Declaration of Acceptance of Work Integrated Learning/Clinical Placement Terms and Conditions
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.
Pathways from VU courses
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.
You will be credited for up to 96 credit points of study.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
You will be guaranteed entry only.
Find out more about pathways and credits.
Credit for skills and past study
Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.
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 chair or academic adviser.
How to apply
We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.
Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.
If you have questions, please get in touch:
- Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
- Online: enquiry form
Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.
VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.
