Midwifery MSc

Program Overview

This MSc Midwifery is a two-year program designed for current NMC-registered nurses seeking to become midwives. It employs a blended learning model and aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge for providing safe and personalized midwifery care. Graduates will be eligible to register with the NMC as midwives and pursue careers in various maternity settings. Additionally, the program emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and research, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the demands of modern midwifery practice.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Midwifery is a two-year, full-time postgraduate program designed for current Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registered adult nurses seeking to become midwives. It has been developed in line with the NMC 2019 Standards for Midwifery and offers a blended learning model, combining on-campus and remote learning. The program's objectives are to:

• Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and values to provide safe, personalized midwifery care.
• Develop students' leadership and management skills.
• Prepare students for roles in traditional and continuity of care teams.
• Foster students' understanding and application of research and evidence in practice.

Outline:

The MSc Midwifery program is structured over two years, with a blend of on-campus and remote learning.

Year One:

• Professional midwifery practice (10 credits): This module introduces students to the core principles and practices of midwifery.
• Creating and applying evidence (20 credits): This module focuses on the critical appraisal and application of research evidence in midwifery practice.
• Universal midwifery care across the childbearing continuum (20 credits): This module explores the provision of midwifery care throughout the childbearing continuum, from preconception to postpartum.
• Exploring additional health needs in a maternity system (20 credits): This module examines the diverse health needs of women and families within the maternity system.
• Newborn and Infant Health Assessment (10 credits): This module prepares students to practice as NIPE practitioners upon qualification.
• Leading and managing a caseload (20 credits): This module focuses on the leadership and management skills required for effective midwifery practice.
• Advanced Practice Research project (40 credits): This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake an independent research project.
• The midwife as a skilled practitioner (non-credit bearing): This module provides ongoing support and guidance for students' professional development.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Practical exams
• Essays
• Case studies
• Development of a digital resource
• Presentations
• Student engagement
• Midwifery ongoing record of achievement (MORA) for practice assessment

Teaching:

The program utilizes a blended learning model, combining on-campus and remote learning.

• On-campus teaching: Includes problem-centered and simulated-based learning, and some traditional teaching.
• Remote learning: Includes scheduled webinars, video lectures, podcasts, and a wide range of digital resources and directed activity.
The program also features:
• Maternal and neonatal simulation facilities: Allow students to develop clinical skills in a safe environment before using them in practice.
• Virtual caseload: Assists students in developing skills in providing relationship-based, holistic care, creative and flexible planning, accurate clinical assessment, and high-quality decision-making.

Careers:

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a midwife. They can expect a high level of employment in all maternity settings, including hospitals and the community. The program prepares graduates for roles in:

• Traditional midwifery teams
• Continuity of care teams
• Advanced clinical roles
• Leadership and management roles
• Research and education roles

Other:

• The program has been designed in close collaboration with women and pregnant people who use the service, as well as representatives from groups who support and advocate for women and their families and practice partners.
• The program emphasizes the importance of working safely and effectively in continuity of care teams.
• Students will have regular opportunities to connect with other learners on their course and those from other professions, as well as researchers and members of the public engagement in midwifery group.
• The program offers structured support for students' learning and wellbeing.
• The University of Birmingham Careers Network provides support for students' career development.

Annual tuition fee for 2023/24: UK: £9,250 per year for two years. Funding NHS England are funding up to 300 students in England to undertake this shortened Midwifery course covering salary and tuition fees. The University of Birmingham’s School of Nursing and Midwifery have 20 of those funded places available.