Diploma in Primary Care Paramedicine is a diploma in Medicine & Health programme taught at Holland College in Charlottetown, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years. Tuition for international students is CAD 13,140 per year (CAD 6,900 per year for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Medicine & Health
Duration: 2 years
Local tuition: CAD 6,900 / year
International tuition: CAD 13,140 / year
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This two-year diploma trains students for pre-hospital emergency medical care at Holland College's Prince of Wales Campus, based in the Centre for Applied Science and Technology. Coursework covers human anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology as they relate to medical and traumatic emergencies, together with patient assessment, life-support procedures, and documentation practices used in the field. Practical training includes one clinical practicum rotation and two ambulance practicum rotations, with clinical placement sites located across Prince Edward Island and ambulance practicum placements possible in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador. Physical fitness is a program requirement: students must pass the Paramedic Physical Abilities Test before taking part in practicum courses. Admission requires Grade 12 standing with specified minimums in biology or chemistry and math, a valid driver's licence, and First Aid/Basic Life Support certification. The program suits students seeking a career in emergency medical services who are prepared for the physical and practical demands of ambulance and clinical work. Instruction combines campus-based classroom teaching with off-campus practicum placement, giving students direct experience in emergency response settings before they enter the paramedic workforce.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Beyond Grade 12 or equivalent with credits at or above the general level, this program asks for Grade 12 academic Biology or Chemistry and English at a minimum of 70%, and Grade 11 academic Math at a minimum of 65%. Applicants need a valid Class 5, Stage 3(G) driver's licence at entry and a Class 4 licence by the start of Year 2, Semester 3, plus Standard First Aid, a Basic Life Support Provider certificate (renewed annually) and a current WHMIS certificate. An immunization verification form is completed after acceptance, and a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check is required before clinical placements; health-care or related experience is noted as an asset, and a resume of work and volunteer experience is required. English is the language of instruction: applicants whose first language is not English demonstrate proficiency with IELTS Academic 6.5 (no band below 6), TOEFL iBT 85, CAEL 60 (minimum 50 per band), PTE Academic 60, Duolingo English Test 120 (no section under 115) or Cambridge B2 First/C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 176 (no band below 169), among other accepted tests. The program takes a September intake at the Prince of Wales Campus.
Application Details
Start Date:September
Application Deadline:Holland College applicants of all kinds apply directly through MyDashboard rather than a shared application service. For the Fall 2027 intake, application review begins October 15, 2026 for early consideration, the competitive-program review date is February 28, 2027, and the first round of acceptance offers is sent by the end of March 2027; after February 28 later applications are still assessed as seats remain available right up to the program start date. International applicants use the same MyDashboard process and Holland College publishes no separate, fixed international closing date beyond these general review dates. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
