Award-winning QMU graduate ready for life on the frontline
A Paramedic Science graduate, who embraced every opportunity available to her at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, is celebrating academic success this summer after earning two prestigious student awards and graduating with a BSc Paramedic Science.
Thirty-three-year-old Laura Bettison celebrated with her family this month when she graduated at QMU's ceremony at Edinburgh's Usher Hall. She was joined by QMU Chancellor Patrick Grant, entrepreneur and judge on BBC One's ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’, as well as honorary graduates Susan Black, former Communications Director for Liverpool Football Club, and Professor Carolyn McDonald, former Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for the Scottish Government.
Laura, who is originally from Sheffield, threw herself into university life from the moment she joined QMU, balancing her studies with a wide range of extracurricular activities that helped her develop new skills, build confidence and support fellow students. From serving as President of the Paramedic Society and working as a student ambassador, to being involved with the Peer Assisted Learning Scheme (PALS), Laura took full advantage of everything QMU had to offer while preparing for a career on the frontline of healthcare.
Her outstanding contribution to the QMU community was recognised with the Dean's Student Citizenship Award, while the respect and admiration she earned from her classmates led to her being named Paramedic Science Students' Student of the Year.
One of Laura's most significant roles at QMU was serving as President of the Paramedic Society, helping to organise activities and create opportunities for students across all years of the programme to connect, learn from one another and strengthen the supportive community that is central to the QMU experience.
Reflecting on her time at QMU, Laura said:
I've always tried to get the most out of every opportunity available to me at university. Foremost, being involved in the Paramedic Society alongside my studies helped me build confidence, develop new skills and meet so many amazing people from both QMU and other universities. One of the things I've valued most about QMU is the encouragement and freedom to pursue new ideas and create opportunities that have benefited not only my own development, but also that of my fellow students.
Laura cites leading the creation of a simulated ambulance facility as one of the highlights of her time at QMU. The purpose-built facility has enhanced the realism of training for paramedic students, enabling them to practise patient assessment, equipment use and clinical decision-making in a safe, controlled environment before undertaking clinical placements and entering professional practice. Complementing QMU's existing simulated nursing facilities, the new space has also created opportunities to strengthen collaboration and engagement between students across health professions.
The simulation project started as a bit of a pipe dream grounded in aspirations to help make training as realistic as possible and prepare student paramedics to work effectively in high-pressure and demanding situations. From the get-go, QMU were really supportive of the project, and I’m really proud of what our team of students and staff achieved.
Laura's commitment to both her studies and the wider QMU community has been a defining feature of her time at QMU. Throughout her degree, she demonstrated resilience and determination, successfully balancing the challenges of a professionally demanding healthcare degree with an extensive range of extracurricular commitments. By embracing every opportunity to develop her skills, support her peers and contribute to university life, she became one of QMU's most engaged students and a highly valued member of the University community.
Looking ahead, Laura hopes to secure a role as a paramedic in Scotland, putting into practice the knowledge, skills and professional values she has developed during her studies.
She said: "Paramedicine offers the opportunity to support people during some of the most challenging moments of their lives, and it's a privilege to be trusted to do so. It's a career that combines clinical knowledge, teamwork and compassion, and I'm excited to begin the next stage of my journey."
As she joins the Class of 2026, Laura leaves QMU having made a lasting contribution to university life, supported countless fellow students and demonstrated the qualities that will serve her well in her future career caring for communities across Scotland.
For further media information contact Lynne Russell, Communications Manager, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: lrussell@qmu.ac.uk (copy to E: pressoffice@qmu.ac.uk).
