Midwifery (Pre-Registration Midwifery) BSc (Hons)

About the course

Please note that due to the high volume of applications received, we are no longer taking any new Home/EU applications for September 2013, and this course has been closed on UCAS. You will still be able to enquire for entry for 2014.

International students interested in 2013 entry need to contact the University directly.

A midwife is the lead professional at normal births. The Midwifery course develops competent and confident professionals, able to practice midwifery upon qualification.

You will follow an innovative normality focused curriculum comprising 11 modules. There are integrated opportunities for inter-professional education, shared learning and multi-professional approaches to care.

Reasons why you should choose to study Midwifery degree at DMU

• 100% of Midwifery graduates seeking to enter employment or further study are successful within 6 months of completing their course (DLHE 2010/11)
• Learn from professionals in your work placements, and experience real life scenarios
• Professionally accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Once qualified, Midwives start on a salary of more than £22,234 (nhscareers.nhs.uk)

Close all sections| Open all sections|

Key facts

UCAS course code: B720

Duration: Three years full-time (45 week year)

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

2013/2014 UCAS Points Minimum of 260 points for 2013 entry. 300 points for 2014 entry
GCSE

• At least 6 GCSEs including Maths, English and Science at a minimum of grade C and we would normally expect at least two subjects at grade A or B plus one of the following:

Alevel

• 300 UCAS points from a minimum of 2 A levels including at least one of the following subjects at grade B or above Health and Social Care, Biology, Sports Science, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or Sociology. (excluding General Studies). A maximum of 40 points can be counted from AS level

BTEC

• BTEC National Diploma - BTEC in Health and Social Care or Applied Science at Distinction/Distinction/Merit (320 points)
• BTEC National Certificate - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Health and Social Care or Applied Science requirement
• BTEC National Award - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Health and Social Care or Applied Science requirement

• BTEC Extended Diploma (3 A2s) - BTEC in Health and Social Care or Applied Science at Distinction/Distinction/Merit (320 points)
• BTEC Diploma (2 A2s) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Health and Social Care or Applied Science requirement
• BTEC 90 - credit Diploma: Donly in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Science requirement
• BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (1 A2) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Health and Social Care or Applied Science requirement
• BTEC certificate (1 A1) - only in combination with other accepted qualifications. Must meet Health and Social Care or Applied Science requirement

For more information about Entry and Admissions Criteria click here|

Access course:
Pass Access to HE diploma Midwifery and Nursing or Science, with 24 level three credits in Human Biology (or General Science; Chemistry; Physics) not Psychology or Sociology), of which 18 must be at distinction level. Maximum of 9 credits from study skills. English and Maths equivalency required, 12 level two credits in each subject.

Applicants without 6 GCSEs will need to sit an entry test as part of their interview.

You must complete an occupational health check, declaration form and enhanced CRB disclosure application form before starting the course, which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU's admission policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

Interview required: Yes

International students:
If English is not your first language, we require an English language level of IELTS 7.0 or equivalent.

Please note that we do not accept childcare qualifications for midwifery.

Personal Statement selection criteria

• Clear communication skills, including good grammar and spelling
• Information relevant to the course applied for
• Interest in the course demonstrated with explanation and evidence
• If relevant for the course - work and life experience

This entry criteria is subject to change for September 2013, and also may also be subject to further change with re-validation of the course in May 2013

Teaching and assessment

A wide variety of teaching and learning methods are used, putting you at the centre of learning. This includes enquiry based learning which encourages thinking and application of theory to practice.

You maintain a professional portfolio throughout the course, which assists with your continuous assessment in practice. Theory is assessed by exams, assignments and presentations throughout.

You must attend all theoretical and practice-based teaching. The theoretical teaching is normally 30 hours per week but varies as the course progresses with more self-directed learning and additional reading.

Clinical practice placements are currently based on a 35 hour week but because of the shift patterns allocated they may be more one week and less the next. You are allocated half a day a week, when in placement, for reading and reflection.

Course modules

First year

• Caring and Compassion
• Communication and Contextual issues for Childbearing
• Scientific Underpinnings of Midwifery Care

Second year

• Critical Review of midwifery evidence
• Evidence-Based Holistic Midwifery
• Complexity in Childbearing
• Critical Skills for Midwifery Practice

Third year

• Dissertation
• Continuity and Midwifery Practice
• Midwife as Leader

Academic expertise

The midwifery team have an excellent reputation and good links with the local NHS trust and other potential employers, which is beneficial when you are applying for jobs.

Industry links and professional accreditation

Accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), this course has been recognised for its high standard of teaching quality, and upon successful completion of the course you can register as a midwife with the NMC.

Work experience and placements

Placements are at NHS hospitals, midwifery-led units and community areas, giving you a variety of experience with opportunities to participate in innovative aspects of midwifery practice, such as case-holding practice, from the end of the second year.

You are mentored by a different midwife in each placement and work the same off-duty which can include nights, weekends and on-call duties, thus gaining understanding of total midwifery care. Midwifery lecturers are all practising midwives, and participate in student assessment.

UHL Uniform and Dress Code Policy

This course includes compulsory hospital placements; these are an essential component for completion of the course. Whilst on placement, students must adhere to the dress code policy of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS (UHL) trust. The UHL trust has given careful consideration to religious needs and every attempt has been made to accommodate these, however, there are some areas where the need to fully comply with infection control guidance has overridden religious requirements.

Further information can be obtained by contacting UHL direct on 0300 303 1573.

Graduate careers

The course enables you to practice and be entered on the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s register in the UK. Midwives can then apply to work in the EU as well as commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia.

You may also choose to further your study on our postgraduate course, MSc Midwifery Practice|, which enhances your career prospects to work in senior roles within the NHS or higher education institutions.

Fees and funding

UK/EU

UK students currently benefit from a means-tested bursary and payment of fees by the NHS.

Find out more about NHS funding|.

International
Full-time £11,250

Please note: these fees are for 2012 and are subject to change.

Learn more about fees and funding information|.

Scholarships

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships| and awards information.

Facilities

Continued investment at DMU means that you will benefit from a newly refurbished Health and Life Sciences| building with improved learning and teaching facilities including state-of-the-art lecture theatres with new technological equipment, and social hubs where you can spend your time doing group focussed study.

Purpose-built clinical skills areas provide hands-on, practical learning. You will receive guidance and support from staff, to ensure that your practical ability in the clinical skills suites is accurate.