Paramedicine Major - Bachelor of Health Science
Paramedicine is New Zealand’s most trusted profession, helping the community in times of need. Study the Paramedicine major in the Bachelor of Health Science degree to prepare for this rewarding career.
Paramedics are the backbone of emergency ambulance services run by St John and Wellington Free Ambulance, as well as helicopter rescue services. Paramedics often work independently in remote or difficult environments and have to make critical, often complex decisions. The Paramedicine major prepares you for these challenges.
You learn from staff who are intensive care paramedics, emergency nurses, defence force medics, midwives, medical specialists and emergency management specialists. There’s a focus on practical experience with clinical placements in ambulance services, hospitals, mental health institutions, ski fields, and community or primary health centres.
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This is part of the Bachelor of Health Science.
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As part of your paramedicine degree you complete approx. 900 clinical hours of clinical placement (about a third of the programme). At the successful completion of the paramedicine degree you meet the requirements to apply for the Intermediate Life Support (ILS) Paramedic scope of practice.
Entry to AUT's paramedicine degree is limited and well sought after. Applicants who hold ambulance, nursing or military medicine qualifications are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning and a part-time study pathway. A full clean drivers licence and a good level of physical fitness is required.
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL514 Understanding the Human Body Systems for Health Practice (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science in Paramedicine in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses
- HEAL609 Integrated Human Body System (15 points)
- PARA601 Pathology and Pathophysiology (15 points)
- PARA609 Introduction to Paramedic Practice (15 points)
- PARA610 Professional Frameworks for Paramedic Practice (15 points)
Year 2
You develop further theory and skills related to paramedicine practice. There’s an emphasis on cardiology and managing patients with altered haemodynamics (resuscitation, defibrillation, 12 Lead ECG, intravenous access and drug therapy).
You also become familiar with pharmacology and research methods for paramedics and complete large amounts of clinical practice. Ambulance operations are also covered.
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL610 Methods of Research and Enquiry (15 points)
- PARA603 Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis (15 points)
- PARA604 Clinical Practice I (15 points)
- PARA605 Clinical Practice II (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- PARA702 Ambulance Operations (15 points)
- PARA706 Cardiology (15 points)
- PARA606 Haemodynamics in the Acute Patient (15 points)
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice (15 points)
Year 3
You apply your skills from the previous years to develop a safe, integrated clinical paramedicine practice. This includes resuscitation, mental health, primary care and health law. This year focuses on preparing you for employment as a practising paramedic. It also includes a clinical reasoning component.
Semester 1 courses
- HLAW701 Health Law and Policy (15 points)
- PARA705 Paramedic Primary Health Care (15 points)
- PARA707 Intermediate Life Support (15 points)
- PARA708 Unique Population Management in Paramedic Practice (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- PARA701 Applied Mental Health And Wellbeing (15 points)
- PARA704 Clinical Risk Reduction (15 points)
- PARA703 Integrated Clinical Practice (15 points)
- PARA709 Clinical Reasoning (15 points)
Workplace experience in the Paramedicine major
Throughout your degree you complete approximately 1,000 hours of clinical placement in ambulance services, hospitals, mental health institutions and community or primary health centres. These placements require you to be mobile and work shifts.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
- Traditional road ambulance work
- Private transfer/patient transfer services
- Events paramedic, working on high-profile public events, marathons, motor sport, extreme sports or concerts
- Superyacht/cruise line paramedic
- Ski-field medic
- Remote mining and gas/industrial paramedic
- Critical care paramedic, involved in all aeromedical retrieval services in New Zealand and Australia
- Extended care paramedic, working in road-based ambulance services and primary healthcare clinics across New Zealand and Australia
- Specialist Emergency Response Team, working alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Coast Guard, Search and Rescue, and the police providing specialist paramedic care, intervention and care close to the heart of an evolving incident
- Urban Search and Rescue, deployed throughout New Zealand and the Pacific in times of natural disaster
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Diversify your career opportunities: study perioperative practice in just one more year
AUT now offers paramedicine graduates the opportunity to gain a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice in just one year; no work experience required. This means with only four years of study you’ll have maximum flexibility with two degrees and two career pathways – as a registered paramedic and a registered anaesthetic technician, enabling you to also work in the perioperative environment.
How to apply
- Apply online for a Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice
- Indicate that you’re applying for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Once you've been offered a place, AUT will work with you to ensure your courses are credited towards the Bachelor of Health Science in Perioperative Practice and you’re set to go
To find out more email fhes.enquiries@aut.ac.nz
Other undergraduate study options
Majors in this degree
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Perioperative Practice
- Psychology
- Public and Environmental Health
- No major (tailor the degree to your interests and career goals)
Other health science degrees
Postgraduate study options
- The only New Zealand university degree in paramedicine
- Includes 1,000 hours of clinical placement
- Meets the requirements to apply for the role of paramedic across Australasian, Canadian and UK ambulance services
- Offered at the South Campus, with online learning options
- Two intakes a year: start in Feb or July
- Able to make good judgments
- Mature, caring and calm
- Able to work independently and as part of a team
- Able to work well under pressure
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.