Midwifery BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Our University Midwifery Degree has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG3 of Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG5 Gender Equality.

  Becoming a Midwife offers the chance to provide compassionate care, support women through childbirth, empower families, and make a positive impact on communities. To learn more about the midwifery profession, visit the NHS website.

  The BSc Midwifery course at the University of Northampton enables support from our Careers and Employability service to ensure our midwifery graduates are well-prepared for employment.

  Our Midwifery BSc teaching staff are enthusiastic, experienced midwives with a wide variety of expertise and are also skilled facilitators of learning. You will work in an environment that fosters key principles of adult learning, as well as individual support for your learning and skills development.

  Our midwifery course provides a structure that allows the course team to deliver a curriculum for the education of student midwives to an appropriate clinical, professional and academic standard.

  We have a clear framework for the learning and teaching of healthcare professional, through this framework we aim to train dynamic, effective and collaborative practitioners.

  Completing the BSc Midwife degree will give you the following skills and experience:

  • you will be able to confidently lead the role of the midwife, employing a sound knowledge base through engagement with the research process and utilising a range of core and specialist midwifery skills;
  • you will be able to build effective working relationships with other professionals and partnerships with women, pregnant persons and their families;
  • provide holistic, woman-centred midwifery care promoting physiological processes, to include organising care for a small caseload;
  • question and explore current practice to enable the continuous evaluation and development of effective midwifery care.

  Throughout your midwifery course you will develop and enhance your clinical skills within all areas of maternity care (labour ward, home births and birth centres). You will also have the opportunity to experience care in a variety of multi-disciplinary settings and non-maternity settings which could include the special care baby unit (SCBU), Gynaecology, theatres and high dependency units (HDU).

  List of modules:

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Introduction to Midwifery Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: MID1020P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable the students to participate in the safe and effective delivery of care to women, babies and their families, in a range of maternity service areas under the direct supervison of a midwife or other relevant healthcare professional. Students will also participate in the care of patients within gynaecology service areas.
    • Essentials of Midwifery (30 Credits)
      Module code: MID1021

      Status: Compulsory
      Midwives care for women and their families throughout the childbirth continuum. The purpose of this module is to provide students with a sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology; an introduction to midwifery care in the ante, intra and postnatal periods, including care of the neonate.
    • Professional Studies (10 Credits)
      Module code: MID1022

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for the student to study how all Healthcare Professionals have a duty to the Public and must practice within legal and professional frameworks that govern professional practice, therefore, the student midwife must have a working knowledge of legal, ethical and professional issues in order to meet the expectations of the profession and the Public.
    • Public Health and the Midwife (40 Credits)
      Module code: MID1023

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the public health agenda and the midwife?s role in promoting health and wellbeing to childbearing women, their families and their communities.
    • Calculation Associated with Medicines (Level 4)
      Module code: MID1024

      Status: Compulsory
  • Stage 2
    • Developing Midwifery Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: MID2025P

      Status: Compulsory
      Contemporary midwifery practice encompasses a wide range of clinical events in various clinical placement areas. The student will work alongside midwives and within the multi-disciplinary team to enhance and develop skills and knowledge within the maternity services including neonatal care.
    • Promoting Normality Through Research (20 Credits)
      Module code: MID2026

      Status: Compulsory
      Midwives require the acquisition of practical application of research to ensure they practice evidence-based care in order to promote normality. This module builds upon previous research concepts introduced within the first year in order to develop in-depth knowledge of research.
    • Integrated Care for Women with Complex Needs (30 Credits)
      Module code: MID2027

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop in-depth knowledge and skills to care for women with complex social factors and/or medical needs. The midwife?s responsibilities and those of other health care professionals are inter-related and complimentary. Their skills, kowledge and experience are central to achieving high quality care and to identify and recognise maternal and fetal risk factors or complications.
    • Perinatal Mental Health (10 Credits)
      Module code: MID2028

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide the student with the knowledge and skills to promote mental wellbeing in childbearing women. This includes the recognition of the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and an exploration of the mental health support services that are available for women and their families both locally and nationally.
    • The Compromised Newborn (20 Credits)
      Module code: MID2029

      Status: Compulsory
      The midwife's responsibilities and those of other health care professionals are inter-related and complimentary. Their skills, knowledge and experience are central to achieving high quality neonatal care; especially when neonatal health complications arise. Midwives are uniquely placed within the postnatal setting to provide appropriate evidenced based care to the compromised neonate.
    • Calculations Associated with Medicines (Level 5)
      Module code: MID2031

      Status: Compulsory
  • Stage 3
    • EU Directive
      Module code: MID3022

      Status: Compulsory
    • Consolidating Midwifery Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: MID3024P

      Status: Compulsory
      Contemporary midwifery practice encompasses a wide range of clinical events in various clinical placement areas. The student will work alongside midwives and within the multi-disciplinary team to further develop clinical and leadership skills as they progress towards autonomous midwifery practice. Students will also participate in high dependency care within a critical care environment.
    • Care Planning and Management (30 Credits)
      Module code: MID3025

      Status: Compulsory
      Midwives are required to lead practice in a variety of clinical situations. The focus is to provide individualised care for women and their families, underpinned by contemporary evidence.
    • Becoming a Midwife (10 Credits)
      Module code: MID3026

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to understand that all midwives have a responsibility to ensure their practice is contemporary and evidence based and fulfil professional requirements to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
    • Calculation Associated with Medicines (Level 6)
      Module code: MID3027

      Status: Compulsory
    • Project (40 Credits)
      Module code: MID4004

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable the student to consolidate skills relating to the critical evaluation of contemporary evidence by addressing an aspect of midwifery practice through the process of clinical audit.

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• Placements

  You will have the opportunity to practice your midwifery skills using an active blended learning approach supported by sessions in a simulated environment in our dedicated midwifery clinical skills laboratory.

  Each of the three years of the course comprise periods of theory and applied practice within semesters and you will be placed at the NHS Trust sites to gain practical midwifery training and experience:

  • Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
  • Kettering General NHS Foundation Trust
  • Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

  Placements are organised by a central placements department at the University of Northampton and a designated Midwife at your allocated NHS Trust host site.

  If you are studying the Midwifery course, you can expect to work and study for 37.5 hours per week over 45 weeks of the year 50% of your time will be dedicated to learning in clinical practice and the other 50% will be led by the lecturing team at the University using an active blended learning approach.  This means you will have guided online theoretical study followed by discussion on its application to practice in face-to-face sessions with midwifery lecturers.  There will also be dedicated time for self-directed study and reflection.

  Practice hours when in placement will be on average 30 hours per week but may vary from week to week to accommodate shift patterns and continuity of care working.

  For some placement periods in Years two and three, these may increase to 37.5 hours per week in order to prepare you to meet requirements of the regulator, the NMC, to ensure you are prepared for professional practice.

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• Professional Body

  Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

  

  Our BSc midwifery degree has been approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This means you can be confident that this programme meets the standards of education, training, conduct and performance required for midwives in the UK.

  After successful completion of this midwifery programme, you’ll be awarded an Honours degree and can register as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). This will allow you to practice in accordance with the NHS Constitution which is underpinned by the core NHS values.

  UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation

  

  Our Midwifery course is also BFI accredited by UNICEF meaning that our students will be equipped with knowledge and understanding of infant feeding to UNICEF UK standards. This standard is internationally recognised as a mark of excellence as one of the top midwifery universities.

  The university of Northampton first achieved UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation in 2016. We were extremely proud to achieve re-accreditation successfully in 2019.  Students who graduate with us have been educated to the high standards of UNICEF BFI which is an appealing attribute when seeking employment as a registrant.

  The baby friendly initiative standards and content is threaded across theory and practice modules.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Midwifery degree at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  How many hours will I study?

  If you are studying the BSc (Hons) Midwifery course you can expect to work and study for 37.5 hours per week over 45 weeks of the year. The course is divided into modules which run for different lengths across the academic year. Identified theory hours on the course are compulsory and will consist of a mixture of face-to-face contact in University, individual pre-class preparation, group work, blended learning and online activities.

  Practice hours when in placement will be on average 30 – 37.5 hours per week but may vary from week to week to accommodate shift patterns and continuity of care working.

  What to expect during my placement?

  You will be expected to work a range of day and night shifts alongside a practice supervisor within a clinical setting. Depending on your year of study you will be expected to observe, participate and lead on clinical care provision under direct supervision. You will work within a range of maternity settings providing care throughout the childbirth continuum.

  What is my weekly commitment on this midwifery course?

  The Midwifery programme plan is organised in semesters. Theory blocks consist of face to face and online teaching 9-4pm Mon-Fri. Wednesdays are typically not utilised for teaching to allow for other commitments such as sport. Placement blocks will consist of rostered day and night shifts ranging from 7 hours to 12.5 hour shifts, depending on the placement running Monday to Sunday.

  Interview Information

  After applying via UCAS and meeting the entry requirements to study midwifery at the university, you will be invited to an interview. You will receive further information and the interview preparation instructions from us by email before your interview. If you have any questions, please email us at: interviews@northampton.ac.uk

  Can I work while I study BSc Midwifery course?

  You may find that part-time work is achievable on an flexible ad-hoc basis. However due to academic and clinical placement commitments stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) this can be difficult to achieve.

  How will I learn?

  The aim of our teaching and learning is to transform lives and inspire change. We want our students to achieve their ambitions and to improve society for the better through the application of their skills and knowledge. Our midwifery course meets national academic standards and in addition is accredited by the NMC.

  At the University of Northampton, our students learn in small groups and through close interaction between staff and students. Our midwifery courses are designed for active learning on and off campus, in digitally rich environments that integrate ‘live’, real-time sessions with activities students can undertake where they like and at the time they choose. We call this approach Active Blended Learning (ABL).

  Characteristics of Active Blended Learning:

  • Close interaction with tutors, small group teaching and team work.
  • Activities that reflect the workplace and accommodate learner needs.
  • A future-focused, digitally rich learning environment.
  • An impressive range of accessible and up-to-date online resources and materials across all subject areas.
  • Access to information and resources that is straightforward, consistent and reassuring.
  • A supportive culture of motivation to progress and succeed, with students’ personal tutors playing a key role.
  • A focus on academic and social belonging opportunities, including mentoring and peer support mechanisms.

  A wide range of assessment is used on the BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme including essays, presentations, written and spoken examinations and projects, many of which will be submitted and marked electronically / online.

  What other opportunities are available?

  Our University is a part of a well-established, professional European network for Nursing and Midwifery. The Florence Network offers opportunities for future health careers and development to staff, academics and students. For more information go to the Florence Network google site.

  How will I be assessed on the Midwifery course?

  A wide range of assessment are used on the BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree including essays, workbooks, projects, both written and spoken examinations, care studies and presentations, many of which will be submitted and marked electronically / online.

  What are the requirements in order to pass a module?

  In order to pass a module a student is required to obtain a minimum grade of ‘D-‘ in all assessments as this is a professional requirement. There is no compensation between assessments or between theory and practice.

  How long is a Midwifery Course?

  A Midwifery course typically takes 3 years to complete when studied full-time. This duration provides the necessary training and experience to qualify as a midwife.

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