Samuel
Foulds

Why NTU?

Why did you choose to study a postgraduate degree in Paramedic Science?

"I decided to study a postgraduate degree as I wanted to further my education and challenge myself at the next level. After working for several years in different sectors, I felt I was ready to take the next step. Lifelong learning is very important to me, and I wanted to gain more knowledge in my chosen field."

Why did you choose your course and NTU?

"I had always wanted to go into something clinical but had never been able to choose which path to go down. When I saw that NTU were running the MSc in Paramedic Sciences course, everything seemed to line up and I knew that was the right way to go. NTU is a world class university, winning many awards in recent years, so it was a no-brainer and I had to apply!"

What’s your experience been like of your course so far?

"I have absolutely loved everything about it! The course content has been exciting and relevant, and the module leaders all deliver it excellently. They are also incredibly approachable and responsive if anyone has had any issues, big or small. The practical aspects of my course have certainly been a highlight. Getting to learn the clinical skills and techniques that will be used on the job, with the most up-to-date equipment has been fantastic."

Have you been involved in any projects or extra-curricular activities that have supplemented your studies run through NTU?

"Since starting in January 2023, we have taken part in an interprofessional day, with the technician students. This gave us the opportunity to learn how the ambulance service interacts with other public services such as the police, fire and critical care teams. This was incredibly insightful and allowed us to see how and who we’d be working with in our future careers. The Msc cohort was also invited to attend the BSc student paramedics conference day at NTU, in which several different speakers from a diverse array of healthcare backgrounds, came in to give lectures. This was very helpful to us all and offered us a chance at the end to ask any questions that we might want answering."

What does Social Sciences mean to you?

"Having worked a patient facing role in a hospital for two and a half years before starting my course, I have seen the positive impact and benefits of social sciences. Not just working with patients, but also the relatives and colleagues in the healthcare sector has shown me its importance. I have learnt that it is the little things that make the difference and can change someone’s whole day around entirely."

On placement

Have you completed any work placements on your course?

Support

What do you think of the support available from tutors and staff at NTU?

"I think the support we have been shown from staff and tutors at NTU has been brilliant. As mentioned above they have all been so friendly and would stop doing what they were doing just to help out if they could."

Outside of the Lecture Theatre

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

"It was a bit daunting moving to a new city, but I settled in straight away and, I found it very easy to make friends NTU. As a particularly small cohort, we found out very quickly that we were all similar in one way or another."

The Next Steps

What’s next for you after NTU?

"I plan on completing my first 2 years as a newly qualified paramedic in Nottingham with East Midlands Ambulance Service. Following on from this the opportunity to work aboard in somewhere like Canada, New Zealand or Australia seems too good to miss!! I would like to continue my personal development within the ambulance service, eventually moving on to become an Advanced Paramedic, ultimately working in critical care."

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals?

"We have been told about the many opportunities that we will be faced with following completion of our course and registration to the HCPC. Our lecturers have discussed that paramedics are not just those who drive around in ambulances and there are many career pathways available to us."

Advice

Has the employability team helped you plan for life beyond NTU as a postgraduate student?

"We have a date arranged with the employability team next term, but since starting we have been given their contact information if we ever had any burning questions."