Course Summary

This course combines the theory and beliefs of NCT, with practical guidance on the issues and use of research-based evidence within the topic of breastfeeding. As you study to become an NCT practioner, you will be encouraged to broaden your perspective to help you adopt a sensitive approach and understanding of the varying and changing psychological and physical needs of parents and babies.

The programmes value the richness of each student's cultural background and personal knowledge and experience of his/her own community, as well as accommodating different learning needs.

Why choose this course?

During the course you will take part in group discusions and interactive sessions as well as observation of breastfeeding and reflective practice. On completion of this course you are awarded the Diploma of Higher Education, Breastfeeding Counselling (NCT). This will give you more opportunities for career development within the NCT and to use your transferable skills within other careers.

During the course you will:

• Develop your knowledge base, skills and self-awareness through reflective practice, analysis of issues and the use of research-based evidence
• Develop your intellectual competence, ability and interpersonal skills
• Become an NCT practitioner taking responsibility for your own continuing development, who is proactive and adaptable
• Work with parents in a person-centred manner that respects individuals' beliefs and needs, values embodied experience and fulfils the NCT vision and purpose
• Broaden your perspective in order to enable a sensitive and holistic approach to the varying and changing psychological and physical needs of parents and babies
• Be made aware of the significance of issues of diversity in your practice

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Assessment

The assessment strategy for the course involves using a variety of assessment tools to assess a range of skills. The assessment methods used include essays, facilitating discussion and interactive sessions, an exam, preparation of a handout for parents and a resource file, class planning and evaluation, observation of breastfeeding and reflective practice. The assessments are designed to evaluate your skills and knowledge through a range of techniques which can be implemented into your working practices.

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of your studies you will be able to accept responsibility for your personal development and apply knowledge and skills in meeting the needs of individuals and of groups in relation to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and the postnatal period.

The course will enable you to:

1. Adopt appropriate and effective communication and interpersonal skills with parents.

2. Discuss and analyse the influence of social, political and cultural factors in relation to parents' beliefs and needs during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period, particularly whilst breastfeeding.

3. Discuss anatomical, physiological and emotional changes experienced by women during the year of birth.

4. Provide a service that builds parents confidence and self-esteem, improving their ability to make informed decisions.

5. Provide a person-centred service which, through reflection and evaluation, is responsive to and respectful of the differing and changing needs of parents.

6. Become reflective practitioners who value physiological birth and breastfeeding, and view babies as unique individuals with specific needs whose development is aided by responsive parenting.

External Benchmarking

Education.

Educational Aims

The programmes aim to be responsive to the needs of students studying to become NCT practitioners. The programmes are flexible and adaptable, addressing the values and beliefs of the NCT. The programmes value in each student the richness of her/his cultural background and personal knowledge and experience of her/his own community, as well as accommodating different learning needs.

• Develop your knowledge base, skills and self-awareness through reflective practice, analysis of issues and the use of research-based evidence


• Develop your intellectual competence, ability and interpersonal skills


• Enable you to become an NCT practitioner who takes responsibility for your own continuing development and who is proactive and adaptable


• Empower you to work with parents in a person-centred manner that respects individuals beliefs and needs, values embodied experience and fulfils the NCT vision and purpose


• Encourage you to broaden your perspective in order to enable a sensitive and holistic approach to the varying and changing psychological and physical needs of parents and babies


• Enable you to be aware of the significance of issues of diversity in your practice

Student support

Each student is allocated to a tutorial group and has a close on-going relationship with the tutor of that group throughout the course. The tutor provides both pastoral and academic support and is the students first point of contact in the event of a problem or difficulty arising. In addition she can gain support if necessary from three Tutor Co-ordinators, who oversee the tutors; or the Diploma Manager; or the Education Manager.

Team working

On completion of the course you will have developed team building and interaction skills that will enable you to work with others. These skills will be gained throughout the course units for example, in preparation for facilitated discussions. Team working develops your ability to produce creative and realistic solutions to problems while participating effectively in the operation of the team and in collaboration with others.

Career Management Skills

Assessments within the units focus on the development of skills and competencies required by the NCT practitioner. As part of this process you will reflect on your experiences and self assess during the assessment processes. Interview skills are developed through facilitated group discussions. You will be able to access the Centre for Personal and Careers Development through BREO who offer advice on Finding Work, Careers Events, Subject discipline related information on employment and general vacancy sources.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career: On completion of this course you are awarded the Diploma of Higher Education, Breastfeeding Counselling (NCT) by the University of Bedfordshire. This will enhance your practice and open opportunities for career development within the NCT and the transferable skills you have acquired can also take you along other career paths.

Further study: On completion of this course you are able to progress into:

• the BA Educational Studies (NCT)

You may be able to access other programmes of education using your academic credits.

Entry

Additional:

The applicant must:

• Hold a current NCT Licence to Practise as a Breastfeeding Counsellor

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire.

Teaching Strategy

Some AQBFCs will find that they need more support from their tutor mentor than others. You can approach any Breastfeeding Tutor to enquire if she is willing to act as a tutor mentor for you. Not all tutors would be able to take on the role as they may already have a considerable workload, but there are many who would have no trouble in accommodating you. If a tutor cannot take on the role she can give you contact details of the Tutor Co-ordinators, who can help. Geography may be important, especially if you want to participate in tutorials, but it is not the only factor. Distance mentoring is also possible.

• One to one contact the possibility of three one to one sessions with your tutor mentor are allowed for in the programme. It is advisable that one of these is at the beginning of the programme


• Distance mentoring it may be that no face-to-face meeting ever takes place and all contact is via telephone, e-mail and post. This arrangement means that a tutor in your immediate area is not obliged to mentor you. Obviously both you and the tutor-mentor have to feel comfortable with this arrangement


• Tutorials since the work on this programme is inextricably bound up with the Diploma programme followed by students, it would be a good idea to attend some regular tutorials held by your tutor-mentor if she has the space to accommodate you. Discuss the possibility with her. You may want to ensure that material for the particular units you are taking is being covered, or you may find that simply being part of the tutorial group for a short time helps you to focus more on study and the standard required


• Group sessions some tutor-mentors will take on several AQBFCs and it may then be possible to have some dedicated sessions with her and the others she is mentoring. This could be done in combination with any of the above arrangements


• Study Days as a Breastfeeding Counsellor you will regularly be attending study days but during your time on the AQBFC programme you might find it useful to look out particularly for those that relate to the subject matter of the units you are taking


• Keep good records of your development, your progress in work and on-going requirements, as this will help you in working with a tutor-mentor


• Keep a Reflective Journal of work completed, tutorials, study days and conferences attended and their content, one to one sessions, telephone contact with your tutor-mentor and any thoughts and feelings you have about yourself, your teaching and the subjects in the programme. You may find that you come across relevant material through many sources, including the media, conversations with friends, sitting on MSLCs and other committees and other work within the NCT. In other words, be aware, wherever you are and whatever you are doing, of the content of the units and how that can link to many areas in your life

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

NCT

Students with disabilities

Students should inform the pastoral tutor if they have any disability which might affect their studies.

Skills Development

There are four core skills that you are expected to develop during your studies, these include:

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn to communicate with your peers, tutors and parents orally, visually, in writing and by active listening. All units will provide these opportunities.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Be offered the opportunity in tutorials, workshops and one-to-ones - to learn to access and explore information from a variety of sources relevant to all units.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Be personally researching evidence for all assignments for all units. You will be evaluating your performance in practical assignments and learning to reflect on experience, both past and present, and to use this information for the future.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Be reflecting on, and evaluating, experience in all units. You will be exploring the use, and creation of, visual material to promote learning and how to convey information in a variety of accessible ways. All units will help you to think more objectively and critically about breastfeeding, supporting breastfeeding mothers and the role of the breastfeeding counsellor.

Improving learning and performance

On completion of the course you will be able to take responsibility for improving your own learning and development by developing a strategy for using your new skills to monitor and improve your performance. Throughout the course you are required to monitor your progress and adapt your learning as appropriate. Self assessment is core to the course and takes place at every assessment point. Course tutors offer feedback and study skills support during your studies to facilitate reflection and self development.

Progress files

As a student you are required to maintain a progress file i.e your final portfolio which contains all your assignment work and your student transcript. The Diploma of Higher Education depends on the submission of this portfolio on completion of the programme. You should also keep your personal records of learning and achievements, progress reviews and plans and your personal development planning in a Reflective Diary.

Professional standards

As a student you will be expected to:

• Attend 80% of the course


• Be punctual and notify your course tutor of reasons for non-attendance as soon as able


• Maintain confidentiality and respect for others at all times


• Ensure that assessments are not plagiarised


• Submit marked assignments regularly to the University of Bedfordshire Examination Board


• Maintain professional attitudes towards parents with whom you work

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

The professional standards outlined above will be discussed at the start of the course and a group commitment to their principles agreed. Punctuality and attendance will be monitored by the course tutor and if there is cause for concern this will be reported to the Education Manager at the NCT.