About the course
Midwifery is a diverse role involving much more than delivering babies. On this practice-based course – where you spend half your time on placement - you learn to care for women through pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period, conducting at least 40 supervised deliveries by the time you graduate as a professional midwife.
As a qualified midwife, you are the main contact for an expectant mother throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. So you need to be able to recognise and respond to all her needs - physical, psychological, cultural and socio-economic – while supporting her family.
This degree, spanning 45 weeks each year, prepares you for professional practice through roleplay and scenario-based learning. You spend half your time in University and half on placement, supported by a registered midwife. Theory and practice are woven together so you apply the knowledge you learn in the classroom to the clinical skills you are developing.
Successful completion of the course leads to the award of both an Honours degree and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, allowing you to practise as a registered midwife.
Why choose this course?
- Learn the complete role of the midwife as the expert in normal pregnancy and birth as well as caring for women experiencing complications
- Explore the wider role of the midwife within primary- and secondary-care settings, including public health, sexual health and women’s health promotion
- Develop practical skills on placement, under the supervision of a qualified midwife, including conducting at least 40 deliveries by the time you complete the course
- Gain experience on non-maternity wards to learn how pregnancy affects - and is affected by - a variety of medical conditions alongside gaining experience of different healthcare team roles and the importance of working with others to provide high-quality care. Non-maternity experience may include medical, gynaecology, mental health, surgery, neonatal and intensive care
- You are supported in your studies by a Personal Academic Tutor who will help you to become increasingly independent in your study skills as you go through the course
The NHS Constitution brings together details of what staff, patients and the public can expect from the National Health Service. It sets out the principles and values that guide how the NHS should act and make decisions. The NHS Constitution states that the NHS "aspires to the highest standards of excellence and professionalism". Applicants are expected to demonstrate their understanding and application of these values throughout the selection process. View the Constitution here
Units
- Being An Accountable, Professional Midwife (MDD015-1) Compulsory
- Enhancing Midwifery Practice Through Public Health (MDD016-1) Compulsory
- Human Development: Preconception To Birth (MDD013-1) Compulsory
- Participating In Midwifery Care (MDD017-1) Compulsory
- Understanding Universal Care For Women, Newborn Infants And Their Families (MDD014-1) Compulsory
- Additional And First Line Management Of Midwifery Care (MDD021-2) Compulsory
- Contributing To Midwifery Care (MDD022-2) Compulsory
- Developing As An Accountable, Professional Midwife (MDD018-2) Compulsory
- Enhancing Quality And Safety Through Evidence (MDD019-2) Compulsory
- Providing Individualised Midwifery Care (MDD020-2) Compulsory
- Demonstrating Proficiency In Midwifery Care (MDD020-3) Compulsory
- Promoting Excellence: Midwifery Project (MDD019-3) Compulsory
- Systematic Examination Of The Newborn (MDD018-3) Compulsory
- The Future Midwife As A Teacher And Leader (MDD017-3) Compulsory
The assessment strategy for this course is closely aligned to the teaching and learning strategy, which centres around safe midwifery practice. The choice of assessments is determined by their relevance to midwifery care. You will be assessed across a range of practice settings and learning environments throughout the course. To enhance your understanding and experiences of assessment practices, you will encounter a wide range of formative and summative assessment methods including those that enable you to undertake practice-focussed tasks that have the potential to influence care delivery. Many of the assessment tasks are designed so that you can tailor them to your professional interests, experience, and development needs. They are also designed so that you can rehearse ways of thinking and acting that are professionally relevant. Examples include: written assignments ranging from case studies and academic essays, as well as assessed practice within your placements. You will be assessed in practice using a nationally recognised Practice Assessment Document (the MORA - Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement), which outlines the skills and competencies required as a registered midwife. These assessments are recorded and confirmed by a Practice Assessor, alongside your own self-reflections on your progress. Service users and carers also contribute to your assessments. Self-assessment and reflection are expected at each point of assessment - for both theory and practice assessments. Within the MORA, learners are expected to obtain service user feedback using the standardised feedback form supported by their practice supervisor, facilitating personal reflection during interim reviews and at the holistic assessment. To be eligible for your award of BSc (Hons) Midwifery, and to register with the NMC, you must complete and provide documentary evidence of a minimum of 4600 hours (2310 hours in practice and 2310 theory hours).
Why study in the School of Nursing and Health Education?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.
To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.
International Foundation Year
For those who do not have a qualification that allows for direct entry to an undergraduate degree, we offer our own International Foundation Year program to enhance your English language and study skills and help you bridge any knowledge gaps before starting your degree. The program is taught on our campus by University of Bedfordshire staff and offers pathways into nearly all of our undergraduate degrees.
English Language
The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.
We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.
Entry Requirements
We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for breadth and depth in your current studies and enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.
UCAS Tariff Points
- At least 112 points with 96 points from at least 2 A level passes
- At least 112 points with Distinction Merit Merit in BTEC Extended Diploma or Distinction* Distinction* in BTEC Diploma
- A completed Access to Higher Education Diploma (with 12 merits and 12 distinctions at level 3)
- Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, OCR Nationals, International Baccalaureate and CACHE Level 3 awards.
You can work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth with the UCAS tariff calculator
Contact the Admissions Team for additional guidance on whether the qualifications you currently hold or are taking would be suitable for entry.
T: +44 (0)1582 743500
E: admission@beds.ac.uk
The University of Bedfordshire warmly welcomes students from all over the world.
To ensure a smooth application process, we have dedicated pages with detailed information about country-specific requirements. You can find information on our generic entry requirements too, if your county is not listed.
International Foundation Year
For those who do not have a qualification that allows for direct entry to an undergraduate degree, we offer our own International Foundation Year program to enhance your English language and study skills and help you bridge any knowledge gaps before starting your degree. The program is taught on our campus by University of Bedfordshire staff and offers pathways into nearly all of our undergraduate degrees.
English Language
The English Language requirement for this course is 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in any subtest) in IELTS, or an equivalent SELT. Have a look at our webpage for a list of English language qualifications we accept. If you do not have the required level of English for your chosen degree, we offer pre-sessional courses to enhance your language skills before commencing your studies.
We are committed to supporting you every step of the way, so please do not hesitate to reach out to our international admissions team for further assistance. We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant academic community.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
Graduates can go on to work as a qualified and registered midwife within the NHS, or as an independent midwife, or progress to management, research or teaching.
Many of our graduates go on to complete a Supervisor of Midwives course with the support of their employer.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Additional NHS funding available. Click here to find out more.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2021/22 is £14,300 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
Additional NHS funding available. Click here to find out more.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year.
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2021/22 is £14,300 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
Please note: This course is not open to international applicants.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
Please note: This course is not open to international applicants.
