Programme outline
The Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) is a three-year full-time programme, run in conjunction with Wellington Free Ambulance (WFA), designed to prepare students for practice as paramedics.
Paramedics provide emergency and urgent medical services to the community through a specialised body of professional knowledge, delivering care in variable environments. Using clinical assessment, advanced medical procedures and treatment, they stabilise patients in clinically challenging environments, refer to primary and secondary care and provide on-going emergency medical care during transportation.
The BHSc (Paramedic) programme is delivered with a combination of theory classes, self-directed learning, simulation on campus, and clinical placements. The programme involves considerable study and serious thought should be given before a student undertakes paid employment that will make it difficult to maintain sufficient study time, or to attend clinical experience. It is suggested that no more than ten hours per week are worked.
A distance version of this programme is offered for working or volunteering paramedics. The Flexible Learning Stream (FLS) of the Bachelor of Health Science (Paramedic) is designed for students with an existing National Certificate or National Diploma in Ambulance Practice (Level 5) or with a practising level of EMT or paramedic.
More detail about this qualification
Entry requirements
University entrance or equivalent academic/work experience and evidence of suitability based on an interview, health screening, safety check and referee reports. Applicants must be 18 years of age by the start date of the programme.
International students
Proven equivalence of entry requirements plus IELTS 6.5 in each band, or equivalent.
Find your country's equivalent academic entry requirements here
*International fee displayed is for 1 year of study (equivalent to 120 credits) and does not include insurance, administration and student service fees. For more details, please email: international@wandw.ac.nz.
How to apply
1. Apply online from the Whitireia website.
2. Before you start your online application, you will need to have the following documentation available to upload when requested:
- Completed supplementary application form for health and social services programmes
- Referee report
- Verified ID
- Verified official transcripts
*Give the referee report to someone who is willing to be your referee. Ask them to complete the forms and either return to yourself (so you can upload with your application), or scan and email to enrolments@wandw.ac.nz within 10 days.
Alternatively, completed applications can be emailed to enrolments@wandw.ac.nz or dropped into:
Enrolments, Whitireia New Zealand 3 Wi Neera Drive, Porirua
For international applicants - please email your completed application to international-admissions@wandw.ac.nz
Do you have enough time to study?
To check which study options best fit your lifestyle, try our handy time calculator tool
Give yourself credit →
Use the knowledge you already have to fast-track your qualification. Workplace-learning, volunteering, professional development, other provider qualifications and online courses can be recognised as prior learning and put towards your qualification. Start by getting in touch with us, or find out more here.
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