Midwifery, BSc (Hons) Degree

Program Overview

This three-year BSc (Hons) Midwifery program prepares students to become competent and confident midwives, supporting families throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. The program combines academic study with 50% clinical practice, emphasizing case-based learning and evidence-based practices. Graduates become registered midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, opening doors to careers within the NHS or international midwifery settings.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree program is designed to prepare students to become confident and competent midwives, effectively supporting women, birthing people, and their families throughout the pregnancy, birth, and postpartum periods. The program emphasizes a case-based approach to learning, allowing students to adapt their specialized knowledge to individual circumstances and wishes, resulting in a more positive experience for patients. The program is divided between academic study and clinical practical experience, culminating in professional registration as a midwife.

Outline:

The program is a three-year, full-time degree offered at the Preston and Burnley campuses. It is delivered in-person and consists of 50% theory and 50% clinical practice.

Year 1:

• Fundamentals of Women, Newborn and Family Health (MW1500): This module introduces students to human anatomy, physiology, and psychology, focusing on the woman, fetus, and newborn.
It also covers the philosophy of salutogenesis and its influence on health and well-being throughout the childbearing continuum.
• Holistic Approach to Midwifery Care (MW1501): This module introduces public health, determinants of health during the transition to parenthood, and the foundations of continuity of care models.
It covers aspects of law and ethics specific to midwifery and their implications for evidence-based practice.
• Professional Development 1 (MW1502): This module develops knowledge about the role of the future midwife as an accountable professional.
Students explore their individual skills as developing scholars, leaders, and collaborators, focusing on self-development, resilience, and self-awareness.
• Midwifery Practice 1 (MW1503): This module provides opportunities to enhance midwifery skills, clinical knowledge, values, and autonomous practice in a real-world setting.
Students explore the scope of quality midwifery care and service improvement underpinned by salutogenesis.
• Universal Approach to Continuity of Care and Carer (MW2501): This module further develops knowledge of the midwife's role in relation to public health and continuity of care models.
Students consolidate their understanding of law and ethics, including specific elements related to the midwifery profession and its implications for evidence-based practice. Students apply their individual skills as advancing scholars, leaders, and collaborators, reflecting on their personal development journey through increasing self-development, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
• Midwifery Practice 2 (MW2503): This module offers opportunities to develop midwifery skills, clinical knowledge, values, and autonomous practice within a real-world practice setting.

Year 3:

• Promoting Autonomy and Positive Change (MW3500): This module promotes excellence through consolidation of leadership, research, and collegiate partnership.
Students develop knowledge of quality mechanisms, including service improvement and evidence-based practice, to ensure safe and effective provision of midwifery care.
• Professional Development 3 (MW3501): This module aims to develop a proficient, evidence-based, salutogenic practitioner of midwifery.
Students are supported to develop lifelong learning skills, preparing them for autonomous practice as a future midwife.
• Midwifery Practice 3 (MW3502): This module offers opportunities to develop midwifery skills, clinical knowledge, values, and autonomous practice within a real-world practice setting.

Assessment:

The assessment methods are varied and may include a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, and independent study. Assessments throughout the program are varied, some of which are student-choice.

Teaching:

Teaching and learning are delivered through a variety of formats, including lectures, tutorials, debates, case-based learning, practical workshops, and clinical experience. Independent study is an important aspect of the degree course.

Careers:

Upon completion of the course, graduates become registered midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. They have the opportunity to work as midwives within the NHS or other independent midwifery settings. They may also work nationally or internationally, exploring midwifery in a global context. Midwifery is a research and evidence-based career, so the university encourages and supports students to continue onto further study, offering a dedicated MSc in Midwifery and opportunities to progress onto a PhD and other research programs.

Other:

• The program is validated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• The university has developed close links with healthcare providers across the region, including NHS trusts across Preston & Chorley, Blackpool, Blackburn & Burnley, Southport & Ormskirk, Wigan, and Warrington.
• All clinical placement providers are audited according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements for learning and teaching in clinical practice.
• Each clinical site has a dedicated site link lecturer attached to the placement area, providing students with support and advice.
• Academic staff work in close contact with the NHS trust student support teams.
• Students can expect to work alongside a clinical supervision team who will support their learning journey throughout each placement area.
• The program is based in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
• The university offers a wide range of bursaries, scholarships, and funds to help support students while studying.

2024/25 UK Full-time £9,250 per year International Full-time £16,500 per year