| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-01-31 | - |
Program Overview
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program at the University of Brighton is a three-year course that prepares students to become registered midwives. The program combines theoretical learning with practical experience, and graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The program has a focus on person-centered care and uses a variety of teaching methods, including international placements and interprofessional learning.
Program Outline
The program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to women and their families during pregnancy, labor, and the postnatal period.
Objectives:
The primary objectives of the Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program are to:
- Equip students with the core midwifery competencies needed to provide safe and effective care.
- Develop students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Foster students' ability to work effectively in teams and collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
- Instill in students the importance of providing culturally sensitive and person-centered care.
- Prepare students for a career as a registered midwife.
Program Description:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program is a rigorous and comprehensive course of study that combines theoretical learning with practical experience. The program is divided into three academic years, with each year focusing on different aspects of midwifery care. In the first year, students will learn about the foundations of midwifery, including anatomy and physiology, pregnancy, labor, and the postnatal period. They will also begin to develop their clinical skills through supervised placements in healthcare settings. In the second year, students will build on their knowledge and skills by studying more complex topics such as medical or obstetric needs, referral processes, and infant feeding. They will also continue to gain practical experience through placements in a variety of clinical settings. In the third year, students will focus on advanced midwifery practice, including leadership, research, and ethical decision-making. They will also complete a final project that demonstrates their ability to apply their knowledge and skills in a real-world setting. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a midwife.
Outline:
Program Content:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Pregnancy
- Labor and birth
- Postnatal care
- Medical and obstetric emergencies
- Infant feeding
- Leadership and management
- Research
- Ethics
Program Structure:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program is a three-year full-time program. The program is divided into three academic years, with each year consisting of two semesters. In each semester, students will take a combination of theoretical and practical modules. Theoretical modules are delivered through lectures, seminars, and group work. Practical modules are delivered through supervised placements in healthcare settings.
Course Schedule:
The course schedule for the Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program varies from year to year. However, a typical schedule would include the following modules:
Year 1:
- Pregnancy Beginnings
- Pregnancy
- Birth
- Beyond Birth
- Clinical Assessment of Practice
- Course Hours Requirements for Midwifery
Year 2:
- Complexities and Childbearing
- Contemporary Midwifery and Research
- Managing Midwifery Emergencies
- Clinical Assessment of Practice 2
- Course Hours Requirement of Midwifery 2
Year 3:
- Contemporary Midwifery Project
- Newborn Infant Physical Examination
- Future Midwife
- Clinical Assessment of Practice 3
- Course Hours Requirement of Midwifery 3
Individual Module Descriptions:
- Pregnancy Beginnings: This module introduces the role and responsibilities of the midwife during preconception and early pregnancy. Students will develop a fundamental understanding of midwifery and the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to support women and their families for pregnancy. Students will develop their knowledge, skills, and behaviors for antenatal care, enabling them to be responsive to the individual needs of women and their families.
- Birth: This module introduces the role and responsibility of the midwife during birth, exploring the main themes and concepts in the provision of contemporary midwifery care. This will be supported by using labor and birth scenarios to explore biological adaptation in the mother, the experiences of women and families, and the assessment and planning of care. Students will also develop their skills in presenting information and evidence.
- Beyond Birth: This module introduces midwifery care during the period following birth. Students will explore the midwife's role in optimizing the newborn's adaptation to life outside the womb and the mother and their family's transition to parenthood.
- Clinical Assessment of Practice: This module enables students to be assessed and credited for their clinical practice. It aims to help students build upon their theoretical knowledge from year 1 modules and develop their clinical practice, leading to the provision of safe and effective midwifery care.
- Complexities and Childbearing: This module focuses on the increasing complexity of midwifery care when women have additional needs or vulnerabilities. Students will develop their knowledge and skills in providing care for women with complex pregnancies, births, and postnatal experiences.
- Contemporary Midwifery and Research: This module introduces students to the principles of midwifery research and evidence-based practice. Students will develop their critical appraisal skills and learn how to apply research findings to their own midwifery practice.
- Managing Midwifery Emergencies: This module prepares students to manage midwifery emergencies effectively. Students will learn how to recognize and respond to a variety of emergency situations, including postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and pre-eclampsia.
- Clinical Assessment of Practice 2: This module builds on the skills and knowledge developed in Clinical Assessment of Practice. Students will be assessed on their ability to provide safe and effective care to women and their families in a variety of clinical settings.
- Course Hours Requirement of Midwifery 2: This module captures additional clinical hours completed by students in midwifery practice, contributing to their professional registration requirements.
- Contemporary Midwifery Project: This module allows students to undertake an independent research project on a topic related to midwifery. Students will develop their research skills and learn how to critically analyze and synthesize information from a variety of sources.
- Newborn Infant Physical Examination: This module provides students with the knowledge and skills to perform a comprehensive physical examination of a newborn infant. Students will learn how to assess the infant's physical development, identify any potential health problems, and provide appropriate care.
- Future Midwife: This module prepares students for the transition to professional practice as a registered midwife. Students will be assessed on their ability to provide safe, effective, and compassionate care to women and their families throughout the pregnancy, labor, and postnatal periods.
- Course Hours Requirement of Midwifery 3: This module captures the final clinical hours required for students to meet their professional registration requirements.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program uses a variety of assessment methods to ensure that students are meeting the learning outcomes. These assessment methods include:
- Written assignments
- Essays
- Case studies
- Presentations
- Practical skills assessments
- Clinical assessments These standards outline the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that midwives must demonstrate to provide safe and effective care.
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program uses a variety of teaching methods to ensure that students are actively engaged in their learning. These teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Group work
- Simulations
- Role-playing
- Clinical placements
Faculty:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified midwives. These approaches include:
- Global perspectives: Students have the opportunity to participate in international placements, which allows them to gain a global perspective on midwifery care.
- Interprofessional learning: Students will have the opportunity to learn alongside other health professionals, allowing them to develop their skills in collaboration and teamwork.
- Use of technology: The program uses a variety of technologies to enhance student learning, such as online learning platforms, simulations, and virtual reality.
- Focus on person-centered care: The program is committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills to provide person-centered care, which means that they will be able to provide care that is tailored to the individual needs of each woman and her family.
Careers:
Career Paths:
Graduates of the Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program are eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a midwife. Once registered, midwives can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, community health centers, and private practices.
Career Opportunities:
Midwives can work in a variety of roles, including:
- Hospital midwife
- Community midwife
- Research midwife
- Midwifery educator
- Midwifery manager
Career Outcomes:
Graduates of the Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program have a high rate of employment. According to the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), 95% of graduates were in employment or further study within 15 months of completing the program.
Other:
International Students:
The Midwifery BSc(Hons) degree program is open to international students. International students are required to meet the same entry requirements as UK students. The Falmer campus is located in a beautiful parkland setting, just a short distance from the city of Brighton. The university offers a wide range of facilities and services to students, including a library, sports center, and student union. There are also a number of clubs and societies that students can join.
Schwartz Rounds:
Students on this course also get to participate in Schwartz Rounds - hour-long sessions where students come together to listen to stories and share reflections in a supportive and confidential environment. The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to become successful and compassionate midwives.
