NB: Applications for Cohort 1, commencing January 2027, are now open. Only 5 places remain as of 15th September 2026.
Application Instructions:
Click APPLY NOW.
Complete the initial assessment form.
Proceed to checkout. An automatic discount will be applied, reducing the application fee payable to £100.
Pay the £100 application fee to submit your application.
The application fee includes your Enhanced AccessNI background check, suitability interview and RPL assessment and mapping, where applicable.
Please note: The £100 application fee is non-refundable.
Following completion of the application process, successful applicants will receive a formal offer of enrolment, together with confirmation of their applicable tuition fees based on the outcome of any RPL assessment.
What is the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway?
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway is a two-phase paramedic education pathway developed and delivered collaboratively by the College of Remote and Offshore Medicine (CoROM) and K2 International (K2i).
The pathway is structured across three progressive years of education and training, with each phase taking no more than 18 months to complete. It combines advanced practical education, classroom-based learning, structured e-learning and supervised clinical practice to provide a progressive route towards the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Phase 1 comprises Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 of the 3-Year Pathway. During this phase, learners complete the practical and classroom-based components of the pathway in Northern Ireland, alongside structured e-learning and supervised clinical practice placement.
Following successful completion of Phase 1, eligible learners progress through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into Phase 2, which comprises the second half of Year 2 and Year 3 of CoROM's BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. The remaining academic components are delivered predominantly online by CoROM, alongside any remaining supervised clinical practice placement requirements.
Across the three years:
Year 1 focuses on emergency, urgent and remote care, supported by substantial supervised clinical practice.
Year 2 develops advanced tropical, austere, remote and expeditionary medicine capability supported by clinical practice placement.
Year 3 progresses into specialist remote paramedic practice, clinical practice placement, research and dissertation-level work.
The structure below provides a summary of the pathway. For a more detailed breakdown of individual modules, learning hours and assessment requirements, please visit: www.k2i-eoc.com/apex-paramedic-practice
Phase 1: Northern Ireland Based Delivery
Phase 1 comprises Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 of the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway.
The programme has been jointly developed by CoROM and K2 International and is co-delivered by experienced paramedics, advanced paramedics and doctors from both organisations, with all face-to-face teaching taking place at K2 International's training facility in Randalstown, Northern Ireland.
Phase 1 brings together the practical, clinical and classroom-based education required to develop learners from emergency and urgent care practice through to advanced paramedic-level clinical decision making, with particular emphasis on remote, austere, prolonged and expeditionary environments.
The learning and assessment within Phase 1 has been developed against the relevant learning outcomes and academic requirements of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. It represents approximately the first 18 months of the overall three-year pathway and is designed to constitute approximately 50% of the academic credit required for the degree through CoROM's formal RPL process.
Teaching includes practical skills development, simulation, classroom education, structured e-learning, formal assessment and supervised clinical practice.
Successful completion of the relevant Phase 1 requirements leads to the award of APEX-6, jointly issued by CoROM and K2 International, before eligible learners progress into Phase 2.
Phase 1 Summary
Year 1 - First 12 months
Classroom guided learning: 275 hours
Online guided e-learning: 361 hours
Clinical placement: 750 hours
Total learning hours: 1,386 hours
Successful completion of all Year 1 modules and assessments within 12 months will lead to the award of:
Level 5 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care (APEX-5) awarded by K2 International (currently pending Royal College of Surgeons accreditation)
Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (FREUC 5), jointly awarded by K2 International and Qualsafe Awards
Learners may choose to exit the pathway at this point if their professional goal is to practise at EMT level.
Year 2 - First half
Classroom guided learning: 160 hours
4 x 5-day teaching weeks
Monday to Friday
0900 to 1700
Online guided e-learning: 594 hours
Clinical placement: 187.5 hours
Total learning hours: 941.5 hours
Successful completion of the relevant practical, academic and assessment requirements across Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 leads to the award of:
Eligible learners may then progress into Phase 2.
Phase 2: BSc Remote Paramedic Practice
Phase 2 comprises the second half of Year 2 and the whole of Year 3.
Following successful completion of Phase 1, eligible learners progress through K2 International-sponsored enrolment and CoROM's formal Recognition of Prior Learning process into the remaining components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
The learner's APEX-6 certificate and associated evidence of learning will be submitted to CoROM through its formal RPL process. Subject to successful RPL, approximately 50% of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice credit requirement, equivalent to approximately 18 months of the programme, will be recognised as prior learning.
CoROM and K2 International have jointly developed and agreed the RPL mapping for APEX-6 against the relevant components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. K2 International will sponsor the associated RPL process for learners progressing through the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway, with the relevant learning and assessment evidence having been specifically designed and mapped for this purpose.
Eligible learners then complete the remaining components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice directly through CoROM. These predominantly consist of theoretical and academic modules delivered through structured e-learning, including research, together with the remaining supervised clinical practice placement requirements.
Phase 2 Summary
Year 2 - Second half
Online guided e-learning: 872 hours
Clinical placement: 187.5 hours
Total learning hours: 1059.5 hours
Year 3
Guided e-learning: up to 1500 hours (1000 hours minimum)
Clinical placement: 375 hours
Total learning hours: 1375 to 1875 hours (dependant on elective module selection)
This structure allows learners to complete the required face-to-face practical and classroom education for the pathway in Northern Ireland before completing the remaining academic components of the BSc predominantly online through CoROM.
Successful completion of all required academic modules, assessments, clinical practice hours, portfolio requirements and other programme requirements leads to the award of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice by CoROM.
Placement
Each year of the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway includes a minimum number of supervised clinical practice placement hours which must be completed in order to progress. A summary of the placement requirement for each year is provided below:
Year 1: 750 hours. These hours may be completed as part of an operational ambulance crew, meaning the learner may be able to undertake paid employment while completing placement hours, or on a supernumerary / “third manning” basis, which is more likely to be unpaid.
Year 2: 375 hours. These hours must be completed on a supernumerary or “third manning” basis and are therefore likely to be unpaid.
Year 3: 375 hours. These hours must be completed on a supernumerary basis within a resource-limited environment.
K2 International currently has MOUs in place with two potential placement providers:
Elite EMS, Tamworth, England. Elite EMS is a private ambulance provider delivering frontline 999 ambulance services. Elite EMS has agreed to consider K2 International students for paid employment as Emergency Care Assistants, allowing eligible learners to complete relevant Year 1 placement hours as part of an operational crew. This route is subject to successful completion of Level 3 CERAD, an Elite EMS interview and their normal recruitment, onboarding and employment requirements.
Global Medical Projects, Guadalajara, Mexico. Global Medical Projects provides clinical placements for trainee EMTs and Paramedics with Green Cross services in Guadalajara. The ambulance station covered by this arrangement is based alongside an Emergency Department, allowing learners to gain additional clinical exposure within a high-volume ED when ambulance demand is low. This placement option does not require Level 3 CERAD. Any fees, travel, accommodation and other costs associated with the placement are the learner’s responsibility. Further information can be found by clicking here.
NB: Learners may arrange their own clinical placement, provided the proposed placement provider and clinical setting have been vetted and approved by K2 International in advance.
Across the full three-year programme, learners must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Placement hours must meet the following requirements:
A minimum of 750 hours must be completed on an emergency ambulance responding to 999, 911 or 112 calls under the authority of, or through a contract with, a statutory ambulance or emergency medical service, such as an NHS Ambulance Service or appropriate international equivalent.
A minimum of 375 hours must be completed within a resource-limited environment. These hours must be completed during Year 3 of the programme and may overlap with other approved placement categories, including emergency ambulance practice.
A maximum of 400 hours may be completed within unscheduled or urgent care settings, including:
A maximum of 150 hours may be completed within specialist care settings, including:
Obstetrics and Gynaecology;
Coronary Care Units;
Operating Theatres;
Geriatric or Older People’s Services;
Palliative and End-of-Life Care services.
A maximum of 150 hours may be completed within approved in-hospital clinical settings, including:
The resource-limited placement requirement forms part of the overall 1,500-hour clinical placement requirement and is not additional to it.
All placement hours must be completed under appropriate clinical supervision and governance, with the learner supervised by a suitably qualified and professionally registered healthcare professional. K2 International reserves the right to determine whether a proposed placement setting, supervisor or activity is appropriate for the learning outcomes of the programme.
Admission and Compliance
Applicants must complete the required admissions and compliance processes before commencing the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway and before undertaking clinical placement. These requirements may include:
Formal interview
Identity and eligibility verification
Enhanced criminal background checks, including AccessNI where applicable
Occupational health screening
Exposure-prone procedure declarations
Vaccination and immunisation record checks
Evidence of fitness to undertake clinical practice
Placement documentation
Insurance declarations
Safeguarding requirements
Any other compliance checks required by CoROM, K2 International, placement providers or relevant regulatory bodies
Progression into Phase 2 remains subject to CoROM's admissions, compliance, onboarding, enrolment and professional suitability requirements.
K2 International cannot accept responsibility for an application being refused on grounds specific to an individual learner, including criminal records, safeguarding concerns, professional conduct, occupational health requirements, fitness to practise, identity or eligibility issues, or any other matter that may prevent the learner from meeting CoROM's enrolment or clinical placement requirements. Possession of an APEX-6 certificate does not override these requirements.
The pathway and associated RPL arrangements also remain subject to the continuing quality assurance and regulatory requirements of CoROM and K2 International. Programme structure, credit recognition or progression requirements may therefore be reviewed or amended where necessary to maintain academic standards, regulatory compliance and appropriate equivalence.
Who are CoROM?
The College of Remote and Offshore Medicine Foundation, known as CoROM, is a non-profit higher education institution based in Malta specialising in remote, offshore, austere, tropical and resource-limited healthcare education. CoROM operates under licence from the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), licence number 2018-022.
CoROM's degree programmes are designed to meet the standards of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF), placing them within recognised European higher education level structures.
CoROM is also listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities in collaboration with UNESCO. WHED is used internationally by universities, employers, governments and credential evaluation agencies to verify recognised higher education institutions.
For UK learners, MQF and EQF alignment can support qualification comparison and academic recognition discussions. International qualifications are considered by individual universities, employers, professional bodies and regulators according to their own requirements and may also be compared against UK qualification levels through recognised qualification comparison routes such as UK ENIC.
CoROM's academic provision includes undergraduate and postgraduate study in remote, austere and offshore medicine, including the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following entry requirements before commencing the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway:
Be at least 18 years old on the first day of the programme.
Hold a valid Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3), or recognised equivalent.
Hold a valid Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4), or recognised equivalent.
Be willing and able to complete supervised clinical practice placement, including international placement where required (NB: international placement is mandatory in Year 3) or where this forms part of the agreed placement pathway.
Be able to meet the physical, professional and practical requirements of emergency, urgent, remote and austere care training, including scenario-based learning, clinical skills assessment and supervised placement activity.
Be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
Be willing to complete all required criminal background checks, occupational health declarations, placement documentation, insurance declarations and safeguarding requirements.
Assessment
APEX-6 is assessed through a combination of:
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Practical skills assessments
Invigilated written examinations
Online assessments
Academic and professional portfolios
Essays and written assignments
Clinical reflections
Supervised clinical placement evidence
Dissertation-level project work
Although APEX-6 is not delivered by K2 International as a traditional university programme, learners are expected to work to a high academic and professional standard. Assessment is designed to demonstrate clinical knowledge, applied competence, reflective practice, clinical reasoning and safe decision making within remote, austere and expeditionary healthcare environments.
Flexible Exit Points and Progression
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway is designed as a progressive three-year route, but learners are not required to complete all three years if their professional goals do not require progression to the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Learners who successfully complete Year 1 may exit with:
Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (FREUC 5)
Level 5 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care (APEX-5)
These awards remain subject to successful completion of all relevant learning, assessment, placement and awarding requirements.
Learners wishing to progress to the full BSc Remote Paramedic Practice must complete Phase 1 and Phase 2, including all required academic modules, clinical placement, practicum, portfolio, assessment and dissertation requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning may be available to suitably qualified and experienced applicants. All RPL applications are considered individually and remain subject to formal assessment, approval by the relevant academic institution, awarding organisation or responsible body, and payment of any applicable RPL fees.
EMT qualifications vary considerably in academic level, content, clinical exposure and scope of practice. APEX-6 has therefore been designed to accommodate RPL where applicants can demonstrate prior learning that is sufficiently equivalent to specific elements of the programme.
The following pathways represent RPL arrangements that are either currently confirmed or under development:
Level 3 EMT Qualification (No RPL available)
Candidates holding a Level 3 EMT qualification must complete an appropriate Level 4 qualification, such as FREC 4 or an accepted equivalent, before commencing APEX-6. However, candidates with sufficient evidence of current and relevant clinical practice will be exempted from all of the Year 1 clinical placement hours requirement. Evidence of ongoing clinical practice and continuing professional development will still be required throughout the Year 1 registration period.
Level 3 qualifications, whether held individually or in combination, will not provide sufficient evidence of academic equivalence to the Level 5 or Level 6 learning outcomes within APEX-6. No exemption from APEX-6 modules is therefore currently allowed on the basis of Level 3 qualifications or experience alone.
No fees will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
Level 4 EMT Qualification (Practice placement hours RPL available)
Candidates holding an appropriate Level 4 EMT qualification will be required to complete the full APEX-6 programme.
Candidates must complete the associated classroom teaching and structured e-learning to ensure that the required Level 5 academic knowledge, skills and assessment outcomes have been formally demonstrated.
Candidates with sufficient evidence of current and relevant clinical practice will be exempted from all of the Year 1 clinical placement hours requirement. Evidence of ongoing clinical practice and continuing professional development will still be required throughout the Year 1 registration period.
No fees will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
Level 5 EMT Qualification (RPL of first 15 days available)
Candidates holding an appropriate Level 5 EMT qualification may be eligible to enter APEX-6 during the latter part of Year 1.
Candidates whose Level 5 EMT qualification was not delivered by K2 International will be required to attend the final 20 taught days of Year 1, allowing them to omit the first 15 taught days subject to successful RPL assessment.
This period allows candidates to complete the APEX and Paramedic Practice specific learning and assessment required before progressing into Year 2.
£3000 will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
K2 International Level 5 EMT Qualification (RPL of first 20 days available)
Candidates whose Level 5 EMT qualification was delivered by K2 International will be required to attend the final 15 taught days of Year 1, allowing them to omit the first 20 taught days subject to successful RPL assessment.
This period allows candidates to complete the Paramedic Practice specific learning and assessment required before progressing into Year 2.
£4000 will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
All advanced-entry arrangements remain subject to verification of qualifications, individual RPL assessment and the requirements of the relevant academic or awarding body.
Who is the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway for?
APEX-6 is designed for clinicians who want to progress from ECA-level practice through EMT-level education and towards paramedic-level remote, austere, tropical, expeditionary and resource-limited healthcare practice. It may be particularly suitable for those operating, or intending to operate, in:
Pre-hospital emergency and urgent care
Private ambulance services
Event medical cover
Close protection medical support
Offshore medicine
Expedition medicine
Humanitarian or international healthcare
Remote site medical support
Security and hostile environment medical support
Remote, austere or resource-limited healthcare
Higher-level paramedic or specialist medical education
The APEX-6 pathway can also support progression towards NHS ambulance service roles, subject to completion of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration via the international application route discussed below.
Academic Award and Professional Recognition
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway combines practical training, supervised clinical experience and structured academic study across two phases. The progression route is:
Apply for APEX-6 and complete the required admissions and compliance checks.
Complete Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 through Phase 1 with K2 International.
Receive Level 6 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care from K2 International and CoROM.
Use APEX-6 to progress through CoROM's formal Recognition of Prior Learning, admissions and enrolment processes sponsored by K2 International.
Complete the second half of Year 2 and Year 3 through CoROM.
Receive the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice from CoROM.
APEX-6 has been developed and mapped for Recognition of Prior Learning against relevant components of CoROM's BSc Remote Paramedic Practice, representing approximately 50% of the degree and 90 academic credits.
The BSc Remote Paramedic Practice is an academic degree. Graduates may use the degree, clinical placement evidence, academic credits and professional portfolio to support applications to relevant professional regulators, including the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK through the international application route.
Neither K2 International nor CoROM can guarantee the outcome of any professional registration or international recognition application. Thus candidates remain responsible for completing the relevant application process, providing all required documentation and evidence, and demonstrating that they meet the requirements of their chosen professional regulator.
As of September 2026, no graduate of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice that has applied for UK Paramedic registration has failed to gain entry onto the HCPC register.
Fees (including VAT)
Tuition fees are £9,000 per academic year or £27,000 across the full three-year programme, £27,100 including the application fee.
An additional application and compliance fee of £100 applies. This must be paid prior to formal application and covers the initial application and compliance process to confirm eligibility for the programme.
Fees for each year of the programme must be paid in full before commencement of that year.
K2 International is currently working to secure a preferred education finance provider. Until such arrangements are confirmed, candidates remain responsible for arranging payment of their tuition fees in accordance with the programme payment terms.
FINANCE OPTIONS
We have been working with Evolve Credit Union to provide a potential finance option for applicants wishing to spread the cost of APEX-6.
Subject to approval and affordability checks, applicants may be able to borrow up to £35,000, with repayments of approximately £415 per month over 10 years.
This could allow applicants to finance the full £27,000 APEX-6 tuition fee while retaining approximately £8,000 towards additional costs associated with the programme, such as CERAD blue light driver training and/or clinical placements.
We are also working with Evolve Credit Union to explore whether a preferential interest rate can be offered specifically to APEX-6 applicants, which could reduce the monthly repayment further.
Finance is provided independently by Evolve Credit Union and is subject to their eligibility criteria, affordability assessment, terms and approval. K2 International does not provide credit and cannot guarantee that an application for finance will be accepted.
Accommodation
Accommodation may be available next door to the K2 International training centre in Randalstown, subject to availability. Rates are:
Accommodation is not included in the course fee and must be booked separately. Availability cannot be guaranteed, so learners who require accommodation during classroom teaching blocks are encouraged to enquire early.
Location
K2 International is based at:
33 Main Street
Randalstown
BT41 3AB
Northern Ireland
The training centre is easily accessible for learners travelling from across Northern Ireland, the wider UK and internationally. Approximate travel times are:
Belfast International Airport: 20 minutes
Belfast City Airport: 25 minutes
City of Derry Airport: 60 minutes
Antrim Train Station: 10 minutes
Belfast city centre: 20 minutes
NB: Applications for Cohort 1, commencing January 2027, are now open. Only 5 places remain as of 15th September 2026.
Application Instructions:
Click APPLY NOW.
Complete the initial assessment form.
Proceed to checkout. An automatic discount will be applied, reducing the application fee payable to £100.
Pay the £100 application fee to submit your application.
The application fee includes your Enhanced AccessNI background check, suitability interview and RPL assessment and mapping, where applicable.
Please note: The £100 application fee is non-refundable.
Following completion of the application process, successful applicants will receive a formal offer of enrolment, together with confirmation of their applicable tuition fees based on the outcome of any RPL assessment.
What is the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway?
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway is a two-phase paramedic education pathway developed and delivered collaboratively by the College of Remote and Offshore Medicine (CoROM) and K2 International (K2i).
The pathway is structured across three progressive years of education and training, with each phase taking no more than 18 months to complete. It combines advanced practical education, classroom-based learning, structured e-learning and supervised clinical practice to provide a progressive route towards the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Phase 1 comprises Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 of the 3-Year Pathway. During this phase, learners complete the practical and classroom-based components of the pathway in Northern Ireland, alongside structured e-learning and supervised clinical practice placement.
Following successful completion of Phase 1, eligible learners progress through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) into Phase 2, which comprises the second half of Year 2 and Year 3 of CoROM's BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. The remaining academic components are delivered predominantly online by CoROM, alongside any remaining supervised clinical practice placement requirements.
Across the three years:
Year 1 focuses on emergency, urgent and remote care, supported by substantial supervised clinical practice.
Year 2 develops advanced tropical, austere, remote and expeditionary medicine capability supported by clinical practice placement.
Year 3 progresses into specialist remote paramedic practice, clinical practice placement, research and dissertation-level work.
The structure below provides a summary of the pathway. For a more detailed breakdown of individual modules, learning hours and assessment requirements, please visit: www.k2i-eoc.com/apex-paramedic-practice
Phase 1: Northern Ireland Based Delivery
Phase 1 comprises Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 of the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway.
The programme has been jointly developed by CoROM and K2 International and is co-delivered by experienced paramedics, advanced paramedics and doctors from both organisations, with all face-to-face teaching taking place at K2 International's training facility in Randalstown, Northern Ireland.
Phase 1 brings together the practical, clinical and classroom-based education required to develop learners from emergency and urgent care practice through to advanced paramedic-level clinical decision making, with particular emphasis on remote, austere, prolonged and expeditionary environments.
The learning and assessment within Phase 1 has been developed against the relevant learning outcomes and academic requirements of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. It represents approximately the first 18 months of the overall three-year pathway and is designed to constitute approximately 50% of the academic credit required for the degree through CoROM's formal RPL process.
Teaching includes practical skills development, simulation, classroom education, structured e-learning, formal assessment and supervised clinical practice.
Successful completion of the relevant Phase 1 requirements leads to the award of APEX-6, jointly issued by CoROM and K2 International, before eligible learners progress into Phase 2.
Phase 1 Summary
Year 1 - First 12 months
Classroom guided learning: 275 hours
Online guided e-learning: 361 hours
Clinical placement: 750 hours
Total learning hours: 1,386 hours
Successful completion of all Year 1 modules and assessments within 12 months will lead to the award of:
Level 5 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care (APEX-5) awarded by K2 International (currently pending Royal College of Surgeons accreditation)
Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (FREUC 5), jointly awarded by K2 International and Qualsafe Awards
Learners may choose to exit the pathway at this point if their professional goal is to practise at EMT level.
Year 2 - First half
Classroom guided learning: 160 hours
4 x 5-day teaching weeks
Monday to Friday
0900 to 1700
Online guided e-learning: 594 hours
Clinical placement: 187.5 hours
Total learning hours: 941.5 hours
Successful completion of the relevant practical, academic and assessment requirements across Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 leads to the award of:
Eligible learners may then progress into Phase 2.
Phase 2: BSc Remote Paramedic Practice
Phase 2 comprises the second half of Year 2 and the whole of Year 3.
Following successful completion of Phase 1, eligible learners progress through K2 International-sponsored enrolment and CoROM's formal Recognition of Prior Learning process into the remaining components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
The learner's APEX-6 certificate and associated evidence of learning will be submitted to CoROM through its formal RPL process. Subject to successful RPL, approximately 50% of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice credit requirement, equivalent to approximately 18 months of the programme, will be recognised as prior learning.
CoROM and K2 International have jointly developed and agreed the RPL mapping for APEX-6 against the relevant components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice. K2 International will sponsor the associated RPL process for learners progressing through the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway, with the relevant learning and assessment evidence having been specifically designed and mapped for this purpose.
Eligible learners then complete the remaining components of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice directly through CoROM. These predominantly consist of theoretical and academic modules delivered through structured e-learning, including research, together with the remaining supervised clinical practice placement requirements.
Phase 2 Summary
Year 2 - Second half
Online guided e-learning: 872 hours
Clinical placement: 187.5 hours
Total learning hours: 1059.5 hours
Year 3
Guided e-learning: up to 1500 hours (1000 hours minimum)
Clinical placement: 375 hours
Total learning hours: 1375 to 1875 hours (dependant on elective module selection)
This structure allows learners to complete the required face-to-face practical and classroom education for the pathway in Northern Ireland before completing the remaining academic components of the BSc predominantly online through CoROM.
Successful completion of all required academic modules, assessments, clinical practice hours, portfolio requirements and other programme requirements leads to the award of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice by CoROM.
Placement
Each year of the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway includes a minimum number of supervised clinical practice placement hours which must be completed in order to progress. A summary of the placement requirement for each year is provided below:
Year 1: 750 hours. These hours may be completed as part of an operational ambulance crew, meaning the learner may be able to undertake paid employment while completing placement hours, or on a supernumerary / “third manning” basis, which is more likely to be unpaid.
Year 2: 375 hours. These hours must be completed on a supernumerary or “third manning” basis and are therefore likely to be unpaid.
Year 3: 375 hours. These hours must be completed on a supernumerary basis within a resource-limited environment.
K2 International currently has MOUs in place with two potential placement providers:
Elite EMS, Tamworth, England. Elite EMS is a private ambulance provider delivering frontline 999 ambulance services. Elite EMS has agreed to consider K2 International students for paid employment as Emergency Care Assistants, allowing eligible learners to complete relevant Year 1 placement hours as part of an operational crew. This route is subject to successful completion of Level 3 CERAD, an Elite EMS interview and their normal recruitment, onboarding and employment requirements.
Global Medical Projects, Guadalajara, Mexico. Global Medical Projects provides clinical placements for trainee EMTs and Paramedics with Green Cross services in Guadalajara. The ambulance station covered by this arrangement is based alongside an Emergency Department, allowing learners to gain additional clinical exposure within a high-volume ED when ambulance demand is low. This placement option does not require Level 3 CERAD. Any fees, travel, accommodation and other costs associated with the placement are the learner’s responsibility. Further information can be found by clicking here.
NB: Learners may arrange their own clinical placement, provided the proposed placement provider and clinical setting have been vetted and approved by K2 International in advance.
Across the full three-year programme, learners must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of supervised clinical practice. Placement hours must meet the following requirements:
A minimum of 750 hours must be completed on an emergency ambulance responding to 999, 911 or 112 calls under the authority of, or through a contract with, a statutory ambulance or emergency medical service, such as an NHS Ambulance Service or appropriate international equivalent.
A minimum of 375 hours must be completed within a resource-limited environment. These hours must be completed during Year 3 of the programme and may overlap with other approved placement categories, including emergency ambulance practice.
A maximum of 400 hours may be completed within unscheduled or urgent care settings, including:
A maximum of 150 hours may be completed within specialist care settings, including:
Obstetrics and Gynaecology;
Coronary Care Units;
Operating Theatres;
Geriatric or Older People’s Services;
Palliative and End-of-Life Care services.
A maximum of 150 hours may be completed within approved in-hospital clinical settings, including:
The resource-limited placement requirement forms part of the overall 1,500-hour clinical placement requirement and is not additional to it.
All placement hours must be completed under appropriate clinical supervision and governance, with the learner supervised by a suitably qualified and professionally registered healthcare professional. K2 International reserves the right to determine whether a proposed placement setting, supervisor or activity is appropriate for the learning outcomes of the programme.
Admission and Compliance
Applicants must complete the required admissions and compliance processes before commencing the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway and before undertaking clinical placement. These requirements may include:
Formal interview
Identity and eligibility verification
Enhanced criminal background checks, including AccessNI where applicable
Occupational health screening
Exposure-prone procedure declarations
Vaccination and immunisation record checks
Evidence of fitness to undertake clinical practice
Placement documentation
Insurance declarations
Safeguarding requirements
Any other compliance checks required by CoROM, K2 International, placement providers or relevant regulatory bodies
Progression into Phase 2 remains subject to CoROM's admissions, compliance, onboarding, enrolment and professional suitability requirements.
K2 International cannot accept responsibility for an application being refused on grounds specific to an individual learner, including criminal records, safeguarding concerns, professional conduct, occupational health requirements, fitness to practise, identity or eligibility issues, or any other matter that may prevent the learner from meeting CoROM's enrolment or clinical placement requirements. Possession of an APEX-6 certificate does not override these requirements.
The pathway and associated RPL arrangements also remain subject to the continuing quality assurance and regulatory requirements of CoROM and K2 International. Programme structure, credit recognition or progression requirements may therefore be reviewed or amended where necessary to maintain academic standards, regulatory compliance and appropriate equivalence.
Who are CoROM?
The College of Remote and Offshore Medicine Foundation, known as CoROM, is a non-profit higher education institution based in Malta specialising in remote, offshore, austere, tropical and resource-limited healthcare education. CoROM operates under licence from the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA), licence number 2018-022.
CoROM's degree programmes are designed to meet the standards of the Malta Qualifications Framework (MQF) and European Qualifications Framework (EQF), placing them within recognised European higher education level structures.
CoROM is also listed in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), maintained by the International Association of Universities in collaboration with UNESCO. WHED is used internationally by universities, employers, governments and credential evaluation agencies to verify recognised higher education institutions.
For UK learners, MQF and EQF alignment can support qualification comparison and academic recognition discussions. International qualifications are considered by individual universities, employers, professional bodies and regulators according to their own requirements and may also be compared against UK qualification levels through recognised qualification comparison routes such as UK ENIC.
CoROM's academic provision includes undergraduate and postgraduate study in remote, austere and offshore medicine, including the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the following entry requirements before commencing the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway:
Be at least 18 years old on the first day of the programme.
Hold a valid Level 3 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 3), or recognised equivalent.
Hold a valid Level 4 Certificate in First Response Emergency Care (FREC 4), or recognised equivalent.
Be willing and able to complete supervised clinical practice placement, including international placement where required (NB: international placement is mandatory in Year 3) or where this forms part of the agreed placement pathway.
Be able to meet the physical, professional and practical requirements of emergency, urgent, remote and austere care training, including scenario-based learning, clinical skills assessment and supervised placement activity.
Be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken English.
Be willing to complete all required criminal background checks, occupational health declarations, placement documentation, insurance declarations and safeguarding requirements.
Assessment
APEX-6 is assessed through a combination of:
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Practical skills assessments
Invigilated written examinations
Online assessments
Academic and professional portfolios
Essays and written assignments
Clinical reflections
Supervised clinical placement evidence
Dissertation-level project work
Although APEX-6 is not delivered by K2 International as a traditional university programme, learners are expected to work to a high academic and professional standard. Assessment is designed to demonstrate clinical knowledge, applied competence, reflective practice, clinical reasoning and safe decision making within remote, austere and expeditionary healthcare environments.
Flexible Exit Points and Progression
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway is designed as a progressive three-year route, but learners are not required to complete all three years if their professional goals do not require progression to the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice.
Learners who successfully complete Year 1 may exit with:
Level 5 Diploma in First Response Emergency and Urgent Care (FREUC 5)
Level 5 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care (APEX-5)
These awards remain subject to successful completion of all relevant learning, assessment, placement and awarding requirements.
Learners wishing to progress to the full BSc Remote Paramedic Practice must complete Phase 1 and Phase 2, including all required academic modules, clinical placement, practicum, portfolio, assessment and dissertation requirements.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning may be available to suitably qualified and experienced applicants. All RPL applications are considered individually and remain subject to formal assessment, approval by the relevant academic institution, awarding organisation or responsible body, and payment of any applicable RPL fees.
EMT qualifications vary considerably in academic level, content, clinical exposure and scope of practice. APEX-6 has therefore been designed to accommodate RPL where applicants can demonstrate prior learning that is sufficiently equivalent to specific elements of the programme.
The following pathways represent RPL arrangements that are either currently confirmed or under development:
Level 3 EMT Qualification (No RPL available)
Candidates holding a Level 3 EMT qualification must complete an appropriate Level 4 qualification, such as FREC 4 or an accepted equivalent, before commencing APEX-6. However, candidates with sufficient evidence of current and relevant clinical practice will be exempted from all of the Year 1 clinical placement hours requirement. Evidence of ongoing clinical practice and continuing professional development will still be required throughout the Year 1 registration period.
Level 3 qualifications, whether held individually or in combination, will not provide sufficient evidence of academic equivalence to the Level 5 or Level 6 learning outcomes within APEX-6. No exemption from APEX-6 modules is therefore currently allowed on the basis of Level 3 qualifications or experience alone.
No fees will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
Level 4 EMT Qualification (Practice placement hours RPL available)
Candidates holding an appropriate Level 4 EMT qualification will be required to complete the full APEX-6 programme.
Candidates must complete the associated classroom teaching and structured e-learning to ensure that the required Level 5 academic knowledge, skills and assessment outcomes have been formally demonstrated.
Candidates with sufficient evidence of current and relevant clinical practice will be exempted from all of the Year 1 clinical placement hours requirement. Evidence of ongoing clinical practice and continuing professional development will still be required throughout the Year 1 registration period.
No fees will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
Level 5 EMT Qualification (RPL of first 15 days available)
Candidates holding an appropriate Level 5 EMT qualification may be eligible to enter APEX-6 during the latter part of Year 1.
Candidates whose Level 5 EMT qualification was not delivered by K2 International will be required to attend the final 20 taught days of Year 1, allowing them to omit the first 15 taught days subject to successful RPL assessment.
This period allows candidates to complete the APEX and Paramedic Practice specific learning and assessment required before progressing into Year 2.
£3000 will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
K2 International Level 5 EMT Qualification (RPL of first 20 days available)
Candidates whose Level 5 EMT qualification was delivered by K2 International will be required to attend the final 15 taught days of Year 1, allowing them to omit the first 20 taught days subject to successful RPL assessment.
This period allows candidates to complete the Paramedic Practice specific learning and assessment required before progressing into Year 2.
£4000 will be deducted for applicants using this pathway.
All advanced-entry arrangements remain subject to verification of qualifications, individual RPL assessment and the requirements of the relevant academic or awarding body.
Who is the APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway for?
APEX-6 is designed for clinicians who want to progress from ECA-level practice through EMT-level education and towards paramedic-level remote, austere, tropical, expeditionary and resource-limited healthcare practice. It may be particularly suitable for those operating, or intending to operate, in:
Pre-hospital emergency and urgent care
Private ambulance services
Event medical cover
Close protection medical support
Offshore medicine
Expedition medicine
Humanitarian or international healthcare
Remote site medical support
Security and hostile environment medical support
Remote, austere or resource-limited healthcare
Higher-level paramedic or specialist medical education
The APEX-6 pathway can also support progression towards NHS ambulance service roles, subject to completion of Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration via the international application route discussed below.
Academic Award and Professional Recognition
The APEX-6 Paramedic Pathway combines practical training, supervised clinical experience and structured academic study across two phases. The progression route is:
Apply for APEX-6 and complete the required admissions and compliance checks.
Complete Year 1 and the first half of Year 2 through Phase 1 with K2 International.
Receive Level 6 Austere, Prolonged and Expeditionary Care from K2 International and CoROM.
Use APEX-6 to progress through CoROM's formal Recognition of Prior Learning, admissions and enrolment processes sponsored by K2 International.
Complete the second half of Year 2 and Year 3 through CoROM.
Receive the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice from CoROM.
APEX-6 has been developed and mapped for Recognition of Prior Learning against relevant components of CoROM's BSc Remote Paramedic Practice, representing approximately 50% of the degree and 90 academic credits.
The BSc Remote Paramedic Practice is an academic degree. Graduates may use the degree, clinical placement evidence, academic credits and professional portfolio to support applications to relevant professional regulators, including the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK through the international application route.
Neither K2 International nor CoROM can guarantee the outcome of any professional registration or international recognition application. Thus candidates remain responsible for completing the relevant application process, providing all required documentation and evidence, and demonstrating that they meet the requirements of their chosen professional regulator.
As of September 2026, no graduate of the BSc Remote Paramedic Practice that has applied for UK Paramedic registration has failed to gain entry onto the HCPC register.
Fees (including VAT)
Tuition fees are £9,000 per academic year or £27,000 across the full three-year programme, £27,100 including the application fee.
An additional application and compliance fee of £100 applies. This must be paid prior to formal application and covers the initial application and compliance process to confirm eligibility for the programme.
Fees for each year of the programme must be paid in full before commencement of that year.
K2 International is currently working to secure a preferred education finance provider. Until such arrangements are confirmed, candidates remain responsible for arranging payment of their tuition fees in accordance with the programme payment terms.
FINANCE OPTIONS
We have been working with Evolve Credit Union to provide a potential finance option for applicants wishing to spread the cost of APEX-6.
Subject to approval and affordability checks, applicants may be able to borrow up to £35,000, with repayments of approximately £415 per month over 10 years.
This could allow applicants to finance the full £27,000 APEX-6 tuition fee while retaining approximately £8,000 towards additional costs associated with the programme, such as CERAD blue light driver training and/or clinical placements.
We are also working with Evolve Credit Union to explore whether a preferential interest rate can be offered specifically to APEX-6 applicants, which could reduce the monthly repayment further.
Finance is provided independently by Evolve Credit Union and is subject to their eligibility criteria, affordability assessment, terms and approval. K2 International does not provide credit and cannot guarantee that an application for finance will be accepted.
Accommodation
Accommodation may be available next door to the K2 International training centre in Randalstown, subject to availability. Rates are:
Accommodation is not included in the course fee and must be booked separately. Availability cannot be guaranteed, so learners who require accommodation during classroom teaching blocks are encouraged to enquire early.
Location
K2 International is based at:
33 Main Street
Randalstown
BT41 3AB
Northern Ireland
The training centre is easily accessible for learners travelling from across Northern Ireland, the wider UK and internationally. Approximate travel times are:
Belfast International Airport: 20 minutes
Belfast City Airport: 25 minutes
City of Derry Airport: 60 minutes
Antrim Train Station: 10 minutes
Belfast city centre: 20 minutes
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