This programme is now full. The next intake will be October 2024.
This midwifery degree takes place in our partner NHS hospitals, including London’s leading maternity units. Because the course has been developed in partnership with local NHS trusts, we’re able to offer you placements on different maternity wards. Your time studying will be equally dedicated to theory and practice.
All our teaching staff have professional career experience as midwives while many are actively involved in practice in the UK and overseas. You’ll study key modules including anatomy, physiology/pathophysiology, cultural and psychosocial issues, plus many more, to meet Nursing and Midwifery Council standards for proficiency for midwifery.
You’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities during your studies. These include a midwifery skills lab, housed in a separate building, where a range of high-fidelity simulations are set up in areas like resuscitation and dealing with complex care needs.
Once you graduate, you’ll have a lot of career opportunities available. Your skills will be in high demand in settings like the labour and antenatal wards, private practices, as well as within communities, local clinics, and GP surgeries.
Our degree will ensure you get extensive practice while you study. Clinical practice weeks will require you to work shifts and experience the 24-hour, seven-day care to develop your understanding of women’s and babies’ needs throughout a 24-hour period. Your caseload will be purposefully small so you’re able to practice proficiency and continuity while being supported by a mentor.
Your degree will be made up of 50% practice, and many of our graduates get their first job in their placement locations. Practice hospitals include Whittington Hospital, North Middlesex Hospital, and Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council to meet the highest standard of healthcare training. You’ll gain the status of a registered midwife when you graduate.
We know sometimes you’ll need assistance and support when it comes to your studies. During your time with us, you'll get assistance from a Personal Tutor.
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Through your three years study, key modules will provide the necessary theory to meet Nursing and Midwifery Council standards of proficiency for midwifery, which include anatomy and physiology/pathophysiology, cultural and psychosocial issues, and interprofessional working, legal and ethical issues.
During your time in clinical practice (on placement) you will experience the role of the midwife in a professional context. Working shifts across a 24/7 care plan, you will develop your understanding of the needs and experiences of women and babies within a clinical setting.
Upon graduation, you will be able to confidently assess, plan, implement and evaluate effective midwifery care. Your learning will be integrated with other students from our School of Health and Education and designated study days will be organised for shared learning with midwifery, medical and social work students.
You will learn the skills to function effectively in a multi-professional team across healthcare and related sectors.
This module aims to build a firm foundation of knowledge relating to normal anatomy and physiology of mother and baby. In addition, it will help you to recognise and appreciate the midwifes role, responsibilities and sphere of practice when providing care to healthy women and their babies during the antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum periods and to enable the integration of theory and practice. This module is theory and practice based as part fulfilment of the statutory midwifery requirements. The outcomes will be achieved by combining theoretical learning and reflective practice. You will work with qualified midwives practising in both hospital and community settings.
This module aims to begin the process of the development of skills required to become an autonomous and life-long learner. It provides a foundation from which the students can develop the necessary skills, knowledge, attitude and conduct required for working as an autonomous midwife. These skills will be developed further throughout the midwifery programme and in their professional career.
This practice module runs between September and March in year 1 of the programme and runs in tandem with theoretical modules which run throughout the year. You'll be enabled to link practice to theory and learning, through structured facilitated processes of written and verbal reflection and skills acquisition. You'll have the opportunity to carry a small caseload of women whose pregnancies you will follow up throughout the year, giving you the chance to experience the woman’s journey through her pregnancy, labour and postnatal period.
This module is the second of two practice modules and runs between March and July in Year 1 and in tandem with theoretical modules which run throughout the year. The aim is to enable you to link practice to theory and learning, through structured facilitated processes of written and verbal reflection. The module give you the opportunity to continue to carry a small caseload of women whose pregnancies you will follow up throughout the year. This will give you the opportunity to experience the woman's journey through her pregnancy, labour and postnatal period.
This module aims to introduce the process of health care research. It is a professional requirement for those working in health-related disciplines to underpin knowledge with research and evidence-based practice. Professionals need to be able to access research findings, and through an understanding of the research process and methodology, be able to critique research and apply this knowledge to practice. The aim of this module is to develop your awareness of the research process and to equip you with the skills required in the subject area appropriate to the target award and to offer some preparation for the final year project/dissertation.
The aim of this module is to enable you to understand that although pregnancy and childbirth are normal physiological occurrences, they may be complicated by health issues which may contribute to adverse health outcomes for mothers and/or babies and may influence the mother’s choice of how she feeds her baby. It is vital that midwives have the appropriate knowledge and skills to recognise, assess and communicate risk to the most appropriate person. Midwives also need to be able to support women throughout their pregnancy and childbirth even when there are complications or deviations from normal.
This module is the third of five practice modules and runs throughout Year 2 of the programme and in tandem with the Year 2 theoretical modules. The aim is to enable you to link practice to theory and learning, through structured and facilitated processes of written and verbal reflection. Your previous learning will have developed your knowledge and skills in normal midwifery and during this module, you will gain experience in areas outside midwifery, as you consider the wider contexts of midwifery practice. Your focus will be on developing knowledge and skills to deal with women's reproductive health issues, and concepts of ill health. This module will enable you to apply what you have learnt in practice outside midwifery, to future midwifery practice.
This module will enable you to consider the extent to which health is influenced by a wide range of factors including public health issues, psychological and sociological issues. Through studies undertaken, you will learn how to plan care effectively for mothers, babies and families in collaboration with other professionals and agencies. You will consider strategies to enhance the promotion of health in pregnancy, labour and the puerperium.
This module aims to synthesise learning from the programme providing an opportunity for you to study independently and investigate a topic in depth. It fosters academic curiosity, an inquiry based approach, and the employment and application of research skills thus facilitating the development of a higher level of theorising. You will select a topic of personal interest you wish to study further and manage your own learning during this module, with the support of an allocated supervisor for this period of independent study.
This is the fourth practice module which runs in tandem with theoretical modules, spanning the first six months of the final year of the midwifery programme. The aim is to enable you to link practice to theory and learning through structured and facilitated processes of written and verbal reflection. Your previous learning will have developed your knowledge and skills of normal midwifery, the wider context of midwifery practice, women's reproductive health, and concepts of health and illness. During this module, you will consolidate these skills in normal midwifery and in dealing with obstetric emergencies and complicated pregnancies. You will also begin to take on more responsibilities in your practice areas as you prepare to become practising midwives.
This is the final practice module which runs in tandem with theoretical modules, spanning the final six months of the final year of the midwifery programme. The aim is to enable you to link practice to theory and learning through structured and facilitated processes of written and verbal reflection. Your previous learning will have developed your knowledge and skills of normal midwifery, the wider context of midwifery practice, women's reproductive health, and concepts of health and illness. During this module, you will consolidate these skills in normal midwifery, and in dealing with obstetric emergencies and complicated pregnancies. You will also begin to take on more responsibilities in your practice areas, as you prepare to become practising midwives.
The aim of this module is to ensure that as you move towards the role of autonomous midwife practitioners, you are competent to deal with a variety of normal and/or challenging situations in midwifery practice. During this module, you will be encouraged to scrutinise and reflect upon your own practice and critically examine the impact of external influences on the midwifery profession as you consolidate your management ability within the midwifery practice areas.
You will be able to demonstrate the ability to work autonomously in the child health field of practice caring for all people across the lifespan with a range of physical, mental, cognitive and behavioural challenges. You will display advanced clinical skills and have the ability to integrate leadership in all aspects of care management. You will utilise a critical and reflective approach in delivering high standards of professional conduct in line with the NMC Code as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
This module aims to introduce you to undertaking the examination of the newborn infant from birth to 6-8 weeks of age. The module will provide the foundations of knowledge and practical skills to empower you in being able to undertake the initial examination and daily examination of newborn infants under direct supervision.
The aim of this module is for you to gain a foundation of knowledge and skills that enable them to care for women, under supervision, during normal labour and birth. The focus of this module is on the physiological birth process and the associated midwifery care. A grounding in the related anatomy and physiology is included. An emphasis on how physiology can be supported and promoted forms an integral part of this module.
This module aims to provide you with a broad insight into maternal changes during pregnancy and the postnatal period. It will help you develop an understanding of a woman’s support structures as well as their needs during pregnancy and the postnatal period thus informing your supervised provision of midwifery care in a variety of settings.
This module aims to develop the your practical skills and practice-based knowledge, including care planning and decision-making. It will enable you to expand your study skills to include searching literature and critiquing research to provide evidence-based practice. Furthermore, you will explore the wider contexts of health and implications for maternity care within a multidisciplinary team.
This module aims to build on Foundations of Children and Young People's Nursing Knowledge and will develop the theoretical and practical knowledge to allow you to continue to validate normality. You will begin to recognise and identify abnormalities and/or potential problems to inform the parents and professionals and prepare for the required care.
This module aims to develop the your knowledge and skills in caring for women, under supervision, in labour with complex needs. The emphasis of this module is on deviations from the normal birth process. This module will enable you to build on their existing knowledge around the normal birth process and apply it to women experiencing complexity in labour. An introduction to pharmacology will also be incorporated.
This module aims to develop your expertise in the provision of multifactorial midwifery care in a variety of settings. It will enable you to analyse, plan and evaluate care provided for the mother during pregnancy and the postnatal period where there are complex needs.
This module aims to embed the knowledge and skills of previous years and to apply them to more complex situations, including any legal and ethical considerations. This will enable you to become safe, accountable and autonomous practitioners, performing advanced skills with minimal supervision. The module will enable you to recognise your own role in ensuring effective team working, the contribution you make to the quality and safety of maternity care and the importance of continuing professional development.
This module aims to enable future practitioners to undertake the examination of the newborn infant from birth to 6-8 weeks of age. The theoretical and practical knowledge builds on previous modules and enables the student to confirm normality, identify abnormalities and/or potential problems in order that the parents, and other professionals can be informed and prepared for the required care. This will enable the provision of a framework of practice and will empower the student to practice in an autonomous role as lead professional within the care of the newborn.
This module aims to develop and consolidate your expertise in providing midwifery care for women experiencing complex situations during labour and birth. A focus on equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with obstetric emergencies is integral to this module. Existing pharmacology skills and knowledge will be built upon. Preparation for independent practice is included.
This module aims to develop your expertise in maternity care and its provision as you prepare for an independent role. In addition, it will explore some of the politics around motherhood, feeding and maternity care both nationally and internationally.
See the course specification for more information about typical course content outside of the coronavirus outbreak:
Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.
We are regularly reviewing and updating our programmes to ensure you have the best learning experience. We are taking what we have learnt during the pandemic and enhancing our teaching methods with new and innovative ways of learning.
We aim to model a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches on the course which you can adapt to your own setting.
The degree is split equally between theory and practice, with clinical experience and practical simulations forming an important part of your learning - the emphasis is on observing what to do, doing it yourself and then improving through feedback. You will work with practice supervisors and practice assessors to support your learning in the maternity setting and wider health care settings.
We have a blended approach to learning and you can expect to attend lectures, seminars, workshops and group and individual tutorials, and learn through problem-solving and role-play exercises, visits, critical reviews of research studies, case study analyses, group work and online research. Enquiry based learning and directed study with integrated support from both a personal tutor system and module lead specific to subject area is also integral to the programme and your development. You rare encouraged to keep a reflective diary of your progress.
For the first time in the UK, midwifery students are using Microsoft’s HoloLens technology as part of their training. Our students are shown virtual reality images of what is happening inside the anatomy, with the aim to teach them about all the obstetric emergencies that could occur. Watch this video from the BBC for more information on how this is helping our students.
Placements are an integral part of the course. Many of our students go on to get their first job after graduation in their placement locations.
The programme comprises 50% theory and 50% practice. You will need to attain a total of 4600 hours (theory and placement) over three years to qualify as a midwife. Practice takes place with hospitals in north London with whom we have excellent relationships:
During clinical practice weeks, you will be required to work shifts to experience a 24 hour/seven-day care to develop understanding of the needs and experiences of women and babies throughout a 24-hour period. You are assessed in the practice area and have the support of designated practice supervisors and practice assessors. To promote the development of proficiency and promote continuity, you will follow a small caseload.
Work experience in the form of placements and internships greatly improve graduate employment prospects, and those who take part achieve excellent academic results through applying the learning in a professional setting.
You will be assessed through oral clinical assessment, written assessment, laboratory simulations and coursework including your dissertation, your portfolio, projects, reports, drug calculations, individual and group presentations and online learning. You will also be assessed on your clinical placements.
We have developed new approaches to teaching and learning for the 2022/23 academic year.
We are currently reviewing our approach to teaching and learning for 2023 entry and beyond to ensure our curriculum is inclusive. We've learned a lot about how to give you a quality education - we aim to combine the best of our in-person teaching and learning with access to online learning and digital resources which put you more in charge of when and how you study. We will keep you updated on this throughout the application process.
Your timetable will be built around sessions on campus using our professional facilities and also online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We will use technology to enhance all of your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time.
The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on campus sessions.
This information is likely to change slightly for 2023 entry as our plans evolve. You'll receive full information on your teaching before you start your course.
Learning structure: typical hourly breakdown in 2022/23 | ||
Live in-person on campus learning | Contact hours per week, per level: |
Year 1: 15 hours Year 2: 15 hours Year 3: 15 hours |
Live online learning | Average hours per week, per level: | Year 1: 10 hours |
Tutor set learning activities | Average hours per week, per level: | Year 1: 3 hours |
You will also be expected to complete self-directed learning to ensure you meet the appropriate level of knowledge and meet the assessments of the programme.
Definitions of terms
Support
You have a strong support network available to you to make sure you develop all the necessary academic skills you need to do well on your course.
Our support services will be delivered online and on campus and you have access to a range of different resources so you can get the help you need, whether you’re studying at home or have the opportunity to come to campus.
You have access to one to one and group sessions for personal learning and academic support from our library and IT teams, and our network of learning experts. Our teams will also be here to offer financial advice, and personal wellbeing, mental health and disability support.
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, group work, clinical skills based on practical demonstrations, enquiry based learning and clinical practice based learning in the Trust to which you have been allocated. Lecturer-led sessions will allow you to gain and develop knowledge in your subject area and this will be supported by a range of practice- based activities, at University and in a practice environment, and smaller seminar or similar groups that will help you develop and engage with your understanding of topics covered in taught sessions. Tutorials are added to each module of learning at varying times throughout the academic year to ensure understanding and ability to complete learning outcomes. These are defined in the module timetable as directed study and applied depending on need. In addition, you will be supported by our academic advisor arrangements and be able to seek module leader guidance by appointment. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning including; access to an online core textbook (Kortex) for every module to ensure you have the relevant reading material to complete the task, library rooms and resources, a learning platform where each module is populated with resources, URL links and learning materials. During the periods of clinical practice you will be supported by qualified midwives and link tutors will visit each Trust frequently offering reflective sessions, practice and general support, throughout your course.
During your first year (level 4), your weekly timetable will typically consist of:
When not attending your teaching sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, practice evaluations and formal practice assessment tools, personal development logs, presentations and end of module assessments. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).
Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;
You will have access to academic support services to assist you in the following areas:
These services can be accessed through unihelp or online via the intranet.
You will be taught by experienced midwives who have expertise, knowledge and experience that is closely aligned to the content of the modules on offer. The team includes academics, professional practitioners, and technical staff. Further details of the teaching staff can be found in the staff profiles tab on the course pages.
The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. Formative assessment for this course is provided through a variety of learning and teaching approaches adopted to meet the needs of a diverse student population within the programme. The varied teaching and learning strategies have been carefully chosen to prepare you for formative and summative assessments and encourage independent and lifelong learning. Formative assessment is an important part of the learning process, and has been shown to contribute to enhancement of learning and raising of standards which will provide feedback to support you towards the formal ‘summative’ assessment. (Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks).
The formal ‘summative’ assessment usually occurs towards the end of the module, although there may be periodic assessments that contribute to your final mark for that module. Assessment methods could include clinical assessments in our clinical skills department, case study assessments online, and the EMORA which is the clinical document for assessment in practice. Summative assessment is designed to measure the extent to which you have achieved the intended learning outcomes of a module.
The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.
| Level 4 | 25% coursework | 12.5% written exams | 62.5% practical exams |
| Level 5 | 50% coursework | 25% written exams | 25% practical exams |
| Level 6 | 37.5% coursework |
You will receive feedback from formative assessments, and written summative assessments. Feedback on performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or through the academic assessor arrangements.
We will provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.
Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.
We maintain strong partnership relationships with NHS organisations so that you’ll have access to excellent placement opportunities as a midwifery student. We have approximately 220 pre-registration midwifery students out on placement at any one time.
Our main placement providers for Midwifery are:
We also work with a number of other London NHS Trusts in supporting a range of pre-registration pathways for Nursing and Midwifery students. For Midwifery this includes:
New students in England studying pre-registration nursing and midwifery courses will have access to the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF). This includes a £5000 bursary for all new students from September 2020 entry.
For more information on funding arrangements for studying nursing and midwifery pre-registration courses and what it means for you, visit The NHS Business Services Authority website or check out their FAQ.
Career opportunities for midwives go beyond hospitals, with antenatal, labour and postnatal wards and neonatal units in the private sector and NHS. They include work in the community, local clinics, children's centres and GP surgeries.
Midwifery is a well-paid field with excellent career progression which can be enhanced with elements of research, teaching, practice development and management - including management at board level within an NHS trust.
This course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and leads to status as a registered midwife. This means the course is professionally recognised for being of the highest quality, focused on developing the knowledge and skills that employers require.
We are committed to our strong relationships with partner NHS Trusts, with whom our programme has been developed. All of our staff have had successful careers as midwives and many of them are still actively involved in practice, not just in the UK but also in developing midwifery overseas.
Jo's nursing experience as a qualified RGN involved gastrointestinal surgery at the Royal Free Hospital until she decided to pursue a career in Midwifery. Jo’s key educational interest is to encourage student midwives to promote methodical evidence based culture in their everyday care.
We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.
Start: September 2023
Duration: Usually 3 years full-time
Code: B730
Start: September 2022
Duration: 3 years full-time
Code: B760
Start: January 2024
Duration: 18 months (over 3 terms)
Code: B7MM
