Paramedic Science & Healthcare: SWAP Access

A close-up of a tattooed hand holding a first aid manual above a desk, with a white bandage and a tablet nearby—serious about learning, with a bit of style

Qualification

Access

Study Mode

Full Time, Part Time

Duration

1 or 2 Years - 3.5 Days p/w

Start date

Aug 2026

Campus

Springburn, East End

Applications open January 2026

Course overview

Your first step towards a career in paramedic science or healthcare.

The Access to Paramedic Science & Healthcare course is a full or part time programme (part of the Scottish Wider Access Programme – SWAP) designed for adults with life experience who are ready to return to education and pursue a future in the health sector.

If you’ve been out of formal education for at least five years and have few or no qualifications, this course offers a supported and structured route into university-level study — particularly in paramedic science or other healthcare disciplines.

You’ll develop the academic confidence, scientific knowledge and practical understanding needed for study and work in modern healthcare. Through a mix of theory, discussion and applied learning, you’ll explore the values of the NHS, the science of the human body, and the emotional intelligence required to care for others in high-pressure environments.

You can check your eligibility for SWAP by contacting SWAPWest directly.

This course is ideal for:

Adults with relevant life or work experience who wish to retrain for a career in paramedic science or healthcare.
Learners who have been out of education for five years or more and are looking to build confidence in academic and practical skills.
Individuals passionate about patient care, teamwork, and making a difference in their community.

What you will learn

You’ll study a blend of healthcare, science and communication subjects that provide a strong foundation for progression to degree-level study.

Key topics include:

First Aid – learn essential emergency care principles and responses.
Human Biology – understand body systems and their relevance to health and emergency medicine.
Mental Health and Mental Illness – explore emotional wellbeing and psychological resilience.
Values and Principles of Care – understand the ethical framework guiding healthcare professionals.
Human Development – study growth, change and the physical and emotional needs of patients.
Social Influences – examine how culture, inequality and environment affect health outcomes.
Core Skills – strengthen your Communication (Higher) and Numeracy skills for further study.

You’ll be assessed through a range of essays, presentations and class-based exams, preparing you for the academic rigour of higher education and the professional demands of healthcare.

The whole course in general was excellent. Learning new skills and being around a large group of adults all aiming to achieve the same goal was pretty cool.

The staff were great from start to finish, always there if you needed extra support.

The course has given me great confidence in the important things that are needed to become a paramedic. Learning skills like essay writing and research has been invaluable.

Scott Dickeson Access to Paramedic Science SWAP

Entry requirements

✅ No formal qualifications are required.

✅ You must demonstrate good written and spoken communication skills.

✅ Applicants must have been out of formal education for a minimum of five years.

✅ Selection is based on your personal statement and interview.

Your statement must include:

Why you wish to study on the Access to Paramedic Science & Healthcare programme.
Which field of healthcare (including paramedic science) you wish to enter and why.
What you believe patients are most concerned about when receiving medical care.
An example of how you have managed a challenging situation, what you learned, and what you would do differently.
The skills, qualities and attributes that make you suitable for a healthcare career.

If you do not meet all entry criteria, you may be offered a place on an alternative Care-related course.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.

Career Opportunities

This course provides an introduction to the wide range of career options within the health sector. It prepares you for future roles such as:

🚑 Student Paramedic (post-degree training)

🏥 Healthcare Support Worker

🩺 Clinical Assistant or Community Health Worker

💙 Patient Care or Emergency Response roles

It’s the ideal starting point for anyone aiming to work in frontline or community healthcare environments.

Future prospects

After successful completion, you can progress to:

HNC Healthcare Practice at Glasgow Kelvin College
Undergraduate Degrees in Paramedic Science or Healthcare, offered by:
- Glasgow Caledonian University
- University of the West of Scotland (UWS)
- University of Stirling
- Other Scottish institutions offering healthcare pathways

This qualification builds the essential knowledge, confidence and transferable skills needed to advance into professional healthcare and emergency-response careers.