University of Johannesburg

Academic staff members from Edge Hill University’s Paramedic Department were invited, as part of an international delegation, to visit the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Department of Emergency Medical Care in South Africa.

Senior Lecturers in Paramedic Science and Pre-hospital Care Kevin Armstrong and Robert Deighton accepted invitations along with three staff members from another international partner, Saimaa University, Finland.

The visit gave the three institutes the opportunity to discuss areas of Pre-hospital research and programme collaboration projects, including the sharing of best practice in paramedic education. Additionally, Edge Hill representatives were able to scope and fact find for potential Student Paramedic international exchanges in the future.

Courses Offered At University of Johannesburg Paramedic School

Emergency Medical Care

Department of Emergency Medical Care (EMC) at the University of Johannesburg offers various programmes in the field of emergency care. We offer a two year Diploma in Emergency Medical Care, offered at various satellite campuses; a four–year professional Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care, which is offered at the Doornfontein campus; and a dissertation only Master’s degree in Emergency Medical Care. Completion of the Diploma in Emergency Medical Care leads to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a paramedic, and the completion of the Bachelor in Emergency Medical Care leads to registration as an Emergency Care Practitioner.

The minimum entrance requirements for the Diploma (APS 26: English 5, Mathematics 4, Physical Sciences 4, Life Sciences 4); Bachelor’s degree (APS 26: English 5, Mathematics 4, Physical Sciences 4, Life Sciences 4) and Master’s degree can be found in the prospectus. Top performing applicants are required to participate in a physical preparedness assessment, phobia testing and a medical assessment in order to be eligible for entrance to either of the two undergraduate programmes.

Opportunities to visit a range of facilities which support the University of Johannesburg’s Emergency Care Practitioner programme were provided including, UJ’s impressive Clinical Skills Simulation Centre in Johannesburg and a visit to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), the third largest hospital in the world, where students undertake hospital clinical practice placements.

Applicants will be required to undergo a structured personal interview, a phobia evaluation, a medical examination, a physical fitness- and a swimming proficiency evaluation.

Career

Emergency Medical Care Diploma Graduates are eligible to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as Emergency Care Technicians (ECTs). ECTs are responsible for the treatment of ill and injured persons in the pre-hospital emergency care environment. Career opportunities exist in public and private emergency medical services both locally and abroad.

Admission Requirements

  • Minimum APS: 26
  • Language of teaching and learning- English: 5 (60%+)
  • Mathematics : 4 (50%+)
  • Mathematical Literacy: Not accepted
  • Physical Sciences: 4 (50%+)
  • Life Sciences: 4 (50%+)
  • Additional Subject 1: 4 (50%+)
  • Additional Subject 2: 4 (50%+)

Admission for international applicants is subject to meeting the compliance requirements as stipulated by the Immigration Act No 13 of 2002, the regulations made there under the University’s policy.


Meeting the Faculty’s minimum requirements for a particular programme does not necessarily guarantee admission to that programme due to space constraints. All applicants have to complete the NBT (National Benchmark Test) prior to admission. The result of the NBT will inform decisions taken on placement of the applicant. Life Orientation is not included when calculating APS.

Registration And Start Dates

Registration starts in January and lectures in February for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate course work programmes.

All research programmes for Masters and PhD can register throughout the year.

End Date: Academic starts in January and ends in December. Programme deadline is determined by the duration of the programme.