Unisa does not offer pre-registration emergency medical care qualifications. Emergency care training requires supervised clinical and operational practice on ambulances and in emergency departments, which a distance institution cannot provide.
This is the essential point before applying. If you want to qualify as a paramedic, you need an institution with accredited clinical and operational placement, not a distance provider. Confirm accreditation with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- An accredited emergency medical care qualification, delivered by an institution with clinical placement
- A bachelor pass with Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences for the degree route
- A valid driving licence, and often a professional driving permit
- Physical fitness, assessed through testing at many institutions
- A medical assessment and a police clearance certificate
- Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Universities of technology and universities with emergency medical care programmes deliver these qualifications, combining academic study with placement on operational ambulances and in emergency departments.
Where Unisa or another distance provider offers related study, establish precisely what the qualification permits and whether it leads to a registration category, since post-registration and management-oriented study is different from pre-registration training.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Degree routes require Mathematics rather than Mathematical Literacy, with Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. Shorter accredited qualifications are more likely to accept Mathematical Literacy.
Physical fitness and a driving licence matter practically, since the work involves lifting patients, working in confined spaces and operating emergency vehicles.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A medical or health screening report and a police clearance certificate, required before clinical placement
- A valid driving licence, and a professional driving permit where required
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Intakes at institutions offering emergency medical care are limited by operational placement capacity, which makes them competitive.
Verify with the Health Professions Council of South Africa which qualifications currently lead to which registration categories before enrolling anywhere. Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is required before you may practise, and only a qualification from an accredited programme leads to registration. Confirm accreditation with the council before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I become a paramedic through Unisa?
Unisa does not offer pre-registration emergency medical care qualifications, since the training requires supervised clinical and operational placement.
Where do I study emergency medical care?
At universities and universities of technology with accredited programmes and operational placement arrangements.
Does distance study work for this?
Not for pre-registration training. Post-registration or management-oriented study is different; establish what a qualification permits.
How do I verify a qualification?
Confirm with the Health Professions Council of South Africa which qualifications lead to which registration categories.
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is required before you may practise, and only a qualification from an accredited programme leads to registration. Confirm accreditation with the council before enrolling. See paramedic courses requirements. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.