Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic)

Gain the skills needed to provide emergency and non-urgent medical care across a wide range of settings. You will develop the ability to assess, stabilise, treat, and refer patients, preparing you for professional paramedic practice. Graduates of the Whitireia Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) Degree can apply for paramedic registration with Te Kaunihera Manapou on completion of the Degree. Completing this degree and gaining paramedic registration can offer the opportunity to have a rewarding, challenging and community-based career.

Programme outline

The Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) is a three-year, full-time degree delivered in partnership with Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA). The programme prepares you for registration and practice as a paramedic, equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide high-quality patient care.

As a paramedic, you'll respond to a wide range of medical and trauma situations, from life-threatening emergencies to lower-acuity health concerns. You'll learn how to assess patients, make clinical decisions, provide treatment, and refer people to the most appropriate healthcare services. Strong communication skills are a vital part of the role, helping you reassure patients and whānau during challenging and often stressful situations.

Your learning will combine classroom teaching, self-directed study, simulation-based learning, and extensive clinical placements, giving you opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world healthcare settings and develop the skills needed for professional practice. Because of the clinical and academic demands of the programme, it is important to carefully consider any paid employment commitments. We recommend working no more than 10 hours per week to ensure you have sufficient time for study and clinical placements.

For students already working or volunteering in ambulance services, a Flexible Learning Stream (FLS) is available. This distance-learning option is designed for those who hold a National Diploma in Ambulance Practice (Level 5) or have a minimum authority to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Programme structure

The programme combines theory, practical skills, and clinical experience to help you develop the knowledge and confidence needed for paramedic practice. Learning is designed to connect what you learn in the classroom with real-world patient care, making it easier to apply new knowledge and skills in practice.

A typical week may include theory sessions, self-directed learning, and hands-on practice in our simulation labs. Throughout the programme, you'll complete clinical placements in a range of healthcare settings, giving you opportunities to see how theory is applied in real-world environments.

In Year One, you'll spend most of your time learning on campus, supported by regular clinical placement blocks. In Year Two, you'll become a more independent learner while continuing to develop your skills through simulation-based learning and clinical experience. In Year Three, you'll spend more time in clinical placements and engage in flexible online learning, supported by block courses focused on advanced skills and professional practice. This approach ensures you graduate with the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience needed to begin your career as a registered paramedic.