Keele University

What you'll study

This master's programme combines advanced clinical practice modules with applied research and a substantial practice-based project. Core themes include advanced assessment and diagnostic reasoning, management of complex and critical illness and injury, pharmacology and therapeutics for pre-hospital care, and the development of extended scope skills relevant to community and urgent care settings.

• Advanced Clinical Assessment and Decision Making – systematic patient assessment, differential diagnosis in the pre-hospital environment, use of point-of-care testing and interpretation of clinical data.
• Management of Medical and Traumatic Emergencies – advanced airway and breathing management, resuscitation science, major trauma care, cardiology and acute medical presentations.
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics – medicines management, advanced drug administration routes, prescribing in the urgent care context where applicable.
• Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice – quantitative and qualitative methods, critical appraisal, translating research into practice.
• Leadership, Service Improvement and Professional Practice – clinical governance, quality improvement, interprofessional working and ethical/legal aspects of practice.
• Practice Placement and Applied Project – mentored clinical practice in ambulance services and other urgent care settings, followed by a dissertation or practice-based project that addresses a real service need.

Teaching typically includes face‑to‑face skills sessions in Keele's clinical simulation and skills facilities, blended online learning, case-based seminars and supervised clinical placement hours in partnership with regional ambulance trusts and health providers.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally required to be registered health professionals with substantive experience in pre‑hospital care. Typical entry expectations include:

• A relevant honours degree (often 2:2 or above) or equivalent professional experience; many entrants hold a first degree in paramedic science or a related subject.
• Current professional registration where required (for example with the Health and Care Professions Council for practising paramedics) and evidence of recent clinical practice.
• Employer support or a practice placement agreement is usually required for the clinical components, and satisfactory occupational health clearance and an enhanced DBS check are mandatory before placement.
• Applicants without a traditional degree may be considered on the basis of significant relevant experience and professional qualifications; selection includes interview and evidence of capability to study at master's level.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into advanced clinical roles within ambulance services and wider urgent care, such as advanced paramedic, critical care paramedic or roles in pre-hospital emergency medicine. The programme also prepares clinicians for careers in community urgent care, primary care urgent response teams, clinical leadership and service development roles.

Other career pathways include clinical education and training, research posts in emergency care, and roles in clinical governance, policy or commissioning. The research and leadership modules equip graduates to pursue further doctoral study or take on posts that lead service improvement and evidence‑based change in urgent and emergency care systems.

Why study at Keele University

Keele offers a multidisciplinary learning environment with strong links to regional ambulance trusts and NHS partners, providing well-supported clinical placements and routes into local health services. The university emphasises interprofessional education, enabling paramedic students to learn alongside nursing, allied health and medical students.

Teaching makes use of Keele's clinical skills and simulation facilities, which support realistic practice-based training in a safe environment. Academic staff are research-active in emergency and urgent care, contributing to contemporary, evidence-informed teaching and supervision for practice-based projects.

Smaller cohort sizes, personalised supervision and a balance of taught and workplace learning are designed to support clinicians working in practice who are seeking professional development, advanced clinical capability and pathways into leadership, education or research within pre-hospital and urgent care services.