Midwifery

The course is an undergraduate, pre-registration programme over three years for those taking the bachelor's in Midwifery route and over four years for those who choose to take the master's in Midwifery route.

Successful completion of either route will lead to registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

You will split your time on the course equally between theory study and clinical learning in practice learning environments. The theory component will be delivered in a blend of face-to-face and online teaching, including face-to-face lectures, tutorials and seminars, clinical teaching in our skills laboratories, online lectures and seminars, guided independent and self-directed study.

All teaching is provided by academic staff who are qualified midwives or other professionals with qualifications related to health.

Learning in clinical practice will take place under the supervision of qualified midwives and other health professionals within local NHS maternity services.

To enhance your experience, you will move to a new NHS Trust site at the start of your second year. Your knowledge, attitude and skills will be assessed using a variety of methods, including written academic assignments, written examinations, viva voce examinations, clinical skills examinations in the skills laboratories and assessment of performance in clinical practice using the national, NMC validated Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement.

You will be supported by your academic advisor to decide to extend your studies by 10 months and take the integrated master's in midwifery, which depends on your performance during Years 1 and 2. Tuition fees apply to the fourth year, and student finance is available.

The integrated master's will support your further development in leadership, clinical practice, critical thinking, education and research through examination of new insights related to and at the forefront of midwifery practice. Successful completion of the integrated master's in midwifery will give you a step-up as you prepare for your career progression.

What do midwives do?

Midwives are the main providers of care for the majority of childbearing women, people and their families throughout pregnancy, labour and the first few weeks after the birth. Midwives assess their wellbeing and needs, provide information on a wide range of issues, work with them to plan and provide their care, promote the health of the family, teach skills for labour and parenthood and support them and their partners throughout the childbearing process. Midwives work with and refer to a range of other professionals to provide high-quality care to birthing women and people.

Our midwifery course will develop you into a highly employable, compassionate midwife.

You will follow a person-centred approach to midwifery care based on our curriculum that has been underpinned by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards of Proficiency for Midwives.

Our course also includes themes such as applying bioscience knowledge to practice, tackling health inequalities through continuity of midwifery care and public health and evidence-based practice through research skills.

Your study time will be divided equally between academic and practice-based learning , enabling you to apply theory to clinical care. You will learn from some of the country's leading midwifery lecturers, health researchers and clinicians, as well as experts from across the University.

Upon graduation, you will be able to register with the NMC and practice midwifery anywhere in the UK, as well as in many other parts of the world.