GoRizzume

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust: does its paramedic degree apprenticeship sponsor a UK visa?

Only some tracksParamedic Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6, BSc Paramedic Science), via the Emergency Medical Dispatcher, ECA/EAA or University of Cumbria Level 4 routes

Only in part. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust sponsors its paramedic degree apprenticeship for some tracks or offices, not all. SWAST's apprenticeships page says non-EU residents may still be eligible depending on their visa and work permit status, and that some apprenticeships may require settled status.

Sponsors grads?
Some tracks
Pay vs threshold
Below the threshold
Opportunity
apprenticeship
Pay
Paid at band 3 as an ECA or EAA and while training as a paramedic apprentice
2027 cycle
The Emergency Medical Dispatcher route recruits once a year, between July and September (no year printed); no 2027 date published as of 12 October 2026
Confidence
medium

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship: at a glance

SWAST trains paramedics through a Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship, with tuition fees funded by the trust and a salary paid throughout. There are three routes in: joining as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher in the Bristol or Exeter 999 centres, applying directly as an Emergency Care Assistant or Emergency Ambulance Associate, or a self-funded year of Level 4 study with the University of Cumbria. Each route leads to a 6-month Level 4 bridging course and then the two-year apprenticeship. Source

Duration
Two years (apprenticeship stage)“Successful candidates will complete the 6-month Level 4 bridging course (self-funded) before starting the 2-year apprenticeship.”Source
Who can apply
GCSE grade 4 to 9 in Maths and English Language, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills, evidenced at the time of application“To be eligible for the apprenticeships listed above, you must be able to provide evidence, at the time of application, of the necessary qualifications (GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills certificates”Source
Locations
Bristol, Exeter, Somerset, Wiltshire, DorsetSource
Starting pay
Band 3 while working as an ECA/EAA and training as an apprentice (University of Cumbria route)“During your time as a ECA / EAA and training as an apprentice you would be paid at band 3.”Source
Degree requirement
GCSE grade 4 to 9 in Maths and English Language, or level 2 Functional Skills, at the time of applicationSource
“Non-EU residents : You may still be eligible, but this depends on your visa and work permit status, and some apprenticeships may require you to have settled status.”
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, from its own careers pages
The catch: The paramedic degree apprenticeship itself only starts after 18 months to three years in another SWAST role, and the level 4 bridging course and the Cumbria certificate are self-funded.
South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust early careersVerify on gov.uk

Applying to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust? Check your CV first.

Most graduate applications are filtered by an ATS before a human ever sees them. GoRizzume Pro scores your CV against the job description and shows you what to fix.

Try Pro free for 7 days

£0 today, then Pro is £14.99/month from day 8Card needed.We email you the day before you pay.Cancel anytime in Settings, Billing.

What South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust publishes about this programme

Checked against South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers pages on 2026-10-12. Anything not published is worth asking the early careers team before you apply.

  • Visa sponsorship policy: published
  • Application dates: published
  • Programme description: published
  • Duration and start date: published
  • Who can apply: published
  • Pay: published
  • Locations: published
  • Degree requirement: published
  • Recruitment stages: not published

Sources

Verdict last checked 2026-10-12. How we check programme verdicts

Common questions

Does South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust sponsor visas for its paramedic degree apprenticeship?

Only in part. South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust sponsors its paramedic degree apprenticeship for some tracks or offices, not all. South Western Ambulance Service funds a two-year Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship leading to a Level 6 qualification such as a BSc in Paramedic Science and HCPC registration, and recruits up to 90 paramedic apprentices a year (soon up to 120). You reach it by one of three routes: join as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher in the Bristol or Exeter 999 centres for 18 months, then work 18 months as an Emergency Care Assistant or Emergency Ambulance Associate while gaining a C1 licence and a 6-month level 4 bridging course; apply directly to an ECA/EAA post; or self-fund a one-year Level 4 Certificate in Higher Education with the University of Cumbria. ECAs, EAAs and paramedic apprentices are paid at band 3. SWAST's apprenticeships page says non-EU residents may still be eligible depending on their visa and work permit status, and that some apprenticeships may require settled status.

What is the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship?

SWAST trains paramedics through a Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship, with tuition fees funded by the trust and a salary paid throughout. There are three routes in: joining as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher in the Bristol or Exeter 999 centres, applying directly as an Emergency Care Assistant or Emergency Ambulance Associate, or a self-funded year of Level 4 study with the University of Cumbria. Each route leads to a 6-month Level 4 bridging course and then the two-year apprenticeship.

Does the pay clear the UK Skilled Worker salary threshold?

The pay for this scheme sits below the Skilled Worker salary threshold, which is itself a reason sponsorship is not possible.

What is the catch international students miss with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust?

The paramedic degree apprenticeship itself only starts after 18 months to three years in another SWAST role, and the level 4 bridging course and the Cumbria certificate are self-funded.

When do applications open for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship?

The Emergency Medical Dispatcher route recruits once a year, between July and September (no year printed); no 2027 date published as of 12 October 2026. Checked on 2026-10-12 against South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own site.

How long is the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship?

Two years (apprenticeship stage), according to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers information.

Who can apply for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship?

GCSE grade 4 to 9 in Maths and English Language, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills, evidenced at the time of application, according to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers information.

Where is the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship based?

Bristol, Exeter, Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset, according to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers information.

What does the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship pay?

Band 3 while working as an ECA/EAA and training as an apprentice (University of Cumbria route), according to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers information.

What degree do you need for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust paramedic degree apprenticeship?

GCSE grade 4 to 9 in Maths and English Language, or level 2 Functional Skills, at the time of application, according to South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's own careers information.

How should I confirm South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's sponsorship before applying?

Read the specific vacancy on South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust's careers site, ask its early-careers team directly, and check the employer on the gov.uk Register of Licensed Sponsors. Policies and thresholds change, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm for the exact role and cycle.

Related guides

All visa and sponsorship guides

Other public sector schemes

Before you apply

Check your CV against UK applicant tracking systems, then tailor it to the schemes that can actually sponsor you. GoRizzume Pro and Premium start with a 7-day free trial on monthly billing.

Try Pro free for 7 days
See what each plan includesSee all graduate schemes

Pro: £0 today, then £14.99/month. Card needed, we email you the day before, cancel anytime.

Other public sector schemes we track

Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.