School of Nursing and Midwifery

MSc Midwifery (Pre-Registration)

This programme provides students, who already have a relevant degree, with the opportunity to study Midwifery at masters level. This course equips you with the skills, knowledge and professional insight needed to become a registered midwife. Whether it's helping women during pregnancy and birth, or giving support to new mothers, you learn through doing, building your confidence as you go. Graduate ready to excel as a fully rounded healthcare professional.

Become a 'Registered Midwife' with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as soon as you successfully complete the course. Midwives are highly employable, some midwives choose careers in specialist clinical roles or midwifery education and research.

Midwifery students to receive £5,000 payment a year

The government is issuing nursing and midwifery students on courses from 2020 a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not have to pay back. A further £3,000 of funding a year is available for eligible students.
Find out more about the bursary

Your career as a healthcare professional starts here

The first-class new home for our healthcare teaching and research providing students with skills to meet the needs of 21st century careers.

InterCity Place InterCity Place
 A unique new learning space where undergraduate and postgraduate students from the largest breadth of health disciplines in the South-West learn together under one roof, with expert practitioners.

Medical students using the Anatomage table clinical Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre (PIHC)
 Experience an interprofessional learning environment across our health programmes that will prepare you for life as a healthcare professional.

First choice for health Become a healthcare professional of the future
 Collaboration across the schools helps students to learn with, from and about each other, gaining the real-world experience employers seek.

Careers with this subject
Midwives support women during pregnancy, labour and the post-natal period, and are experts on childbirth. They work with women from diverse backgrounds and cultures, providing parenting and health education. They create bespoke individuals programmes of care, considering psychological and social impacts on pregnancy and birth.
Midwives support women when they need it most.
  • Antenatal care – relates to the period of the entire pregnancy. They assist with parenting classes, clinical examinations and screening to assess the health of the baby.
  • High-risk pregnancies – you’ll work with people who may have existing health conditions such as diabetes or HIV, may be overweight or obese which may lead to developing additional complications, people that have had multiple births, or may be very young or over the age of 35.
  • Labour and birthing – you’ll monitor women and support them during the whole labour and birthing process.
  • Postpartum – midwives support women by providing advice on what to expect after the birth. They also teach new and expectant mothers how to feed, care for and bathe their babies.
  • Pregnancies that do not go to plan – you will work with women and families going through severe life challenges such as difficulties conceiving, stillbirth, miscarriage, termination, neonatal death and neonatal abnormalities. 
Within the midwifery profession there are a multitude of job opportunities. You could work in the NHS, within the public or private sector. For example:
  • NHS hospitals
  • Maternity units and birthing centres
  • Public health and policy making
  • Communities
  • Patient’s homes
  • Community clinics
  • Private practice
  • GP surgeries
  • Children’s centres
  • Education and academia
  • Research
  • Leadership roles
  • Voluntary roles
Key features
  • Become a 'Registered Midwife' with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as soon as you successfully complete the course.
  • Having already gained an honours degree in a relevant subject, you will start your studies at level 6 and progress to level 7 in order to gain a Masters degree at the end of the three years.
  • Spend 50% of your time learning through doing in a range of real placements and in partnership with real clients. 
  • Learn how to work as part of a multi-professional team. 
  • Build confidence through clinical skills and theory sessions, priming you to be at your best when working directly with real clients. 
  •  From 2023, students in Plymouth can train and practice their professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place. 
  • Extend your skills in IT, numeracy and literacy to support your clinical and professional midwifery practice.
  • Learn about the psychological and social impacts of having a baby and how to effectively communicate with and support your clients.
  • Build on your critical approach to research and undertake an extended project.
  • Develop the professional knowledge, skills and attributes to enable you to work as an autonomous practitioner fit for the future.
  • Support women and families through a continuity of carer approach.
Course details

  • Year 1

  • Lay the foundations for your career as a midwife, from developing clinical skills and professional attitudes to learning about human reproductive biology. Explore the wider determinants of health and well being. Learn about pharmacology and the importance of safe medicine management. Develop your reflective practice, literature searching, essay writing and exam technique. Before Christmas, undertake the first of your supervised clinical placements in maternity settings.
    You will be assessed at level 6.

    Core modules

    • Professional Midwifery Practice - MORA (MID508)

      This module will enable students to participate in holistic midwifery practice under direct supervision and direction in maternity and related clinical settings, aligned with the regulatory body proficiencies.

    • Professional Midwifery Practice (MID601)

      This module will enable students to gain a systematic understanding of the professional issues and clinical skills underpinning midwifery practice, aligned with the regulatory body proficiencies. Students will critically analyse these underlying concepts and principles, making sound judgements in applying any pre-existing knowledge and experience.

    • Biology for Midwifery (MID602)

      A module encompassing a general overview of human biology, including biological functions, anatomy and physiology, with a focus on reproductive and developmental biology associated with the childbearing continuum.

    • Wider Determinants of Health and Wellbeing (MID603)

      This module will focus on factors that contribute to wider determinants of health and wellbeing, situating midwifery care within a social context and focusing on principles of public health and health promotion. The module will champion a human rights perspective, promoting respectful and non-discriminatory care, meaningful communication skills, choice, cultural sensitivity and individualised care.

    • Pharmacology and Medicines Management (MID604)

      Pharmacology and medicines management, including legal, professional and ethical aspects for midwives, across the continuum of pregnancy, labour, puerperium and neonatal care.

    • Evidence Based Practice (MID605)

      The module enables students to develop their skills of research / secondary source retrieval in a systematic manner using a wide range of databases. Students will develop skills in the critical appraisal and synthesis of a body of evidence related to a professional / clinical topic of their choice using appropriate tools. Subsequently, they will formulate a practice focused research question.

  • Year 2

  • Building on Year 1 biology studies, you’ll learn more about preconception, conception and childbearing. Explore conditions particular to pregnancy and birth including when women and families have additional needs. Learn how to undertake a full systematic physical examination of the newborn infant and work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team. Develop your ability to identify and apply evidence based midwifery practice. Put your improved clinical and theoretical skills into practice on placement, gaining further experience of midwifery settings. You will be offered tutorials specifically for masters students and will be assessed at level 7.

    Core modules

    • Developing Midwifery Practice (MID701)

      This module will advance the student’s professional skills in the context of midwifery practice and role in the wider professional team. Students will extend their knowledge to develop as a safe, competent, woman centred, critical practitioner. This will ensure that the student is developing towards being an evidence informed midwife, at the point of registration, in line with the regulatory body proficiencies.

    • Reproductive Health and Pregnancy (MID702)

      This module aims to teach students about a broad range of reproductive health issues and link this with possible effects on pregnancy. Students will study preconception, gynaecological and antenatal care and will analyse factors which may cause complications during pregnancy.  

    • Physiological Childbirth and additional needs (MID703)

      This module aims to teach biological concepts relating to anatomy, physiology and epigenetics of labour and birth. Through application of holistic evidenced based care, the student will understand the importance of birth to public health and wellbeing to meet the changing health and care needs of people during all life stages.

    • Postnatal and Neonatal Care (MID704)

      This module enables the student to demonstrate mastery in the examination of the newborn and care of the postnatal woman by critically interpreting and synthesising the evidence base of this role in midwifery.

    • Developing Evidence Based Practice (MID705)

      This module consolidates student midwifery research scholarship by: demonstrating a mastery of complex knowledge of research through structured literature searching and application to evidence based midwifery practice. The student will demonstrating a systematic understanding of methodological approaches and critically respond to the interpretation of this knowledge base.

  • Final year

  • In your final year, you’ll further develop clinical skills for planning, assessing, implementing and evaluating pregnancy and childbirth care. Working with midwives within a continuity of carer model, you’ll see what it takes to be an effective practising midwife. You’ll explore complexities in midwifery care, developing the ability to support women and families in a variety of situations. Using what you’ve learnt on the course, you’ll identity and undertake an extended project. Prepare for your future as Registered Midwife in your final clinical placements. 
    You will be offered tutorials specifically for masters students and will be assessed at level 7. 

    Core modules

    • Advancing Midwifery Practice (MID706)

      This module promotes excellence in the future midwife’s role as colleague, scholar and leader through demonstration of systematic understanding, critical awareness and new insights. It ensures that the student demonstrates comprehensive evidence-based practice in all core and domain-specific skills and procedures in line with the regulatory body proficiencies, under appropriate supervision.

    • Complexity in Midwifery (1) (MID707)

      A module exploring management of complexity in midwifery across the whole childbearing continuum of care with an in-depth focus on conditions peculiar to pregnancy, pre-existing conditions impacting on pregnancy and postnatally. Pathology, wellbeing and the midwife’s role as part of the multidisciplinary team will be explored.

    • Complexity in Midwifery (2) (MID708)

      A module encompassing management of complexity in midwifery across the whole childbearing continuum of care with an in-depth focus on managing intrapartum midwifery / obstetric emergencies. Pathology, wellbeing and the midwife’s role as part of the multidisciplinary team will be explored.

    • Research and Quality Improvement (MID709)

      This module will support students to complete a systematic and in-depth research proposal or quality improvement/practice development project. Students will demonstrate their ability to understand practice development and master the underpinning theories to develop an area of practice, critically evaluating the potential impact on the clinical area or research proposal.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Midwifery Pre Registration Programme Specification 22 23 6993

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.
Entry requirements
An honours degree from an Institution of Higher Education normally at 2:1 or above, preferably in a related subject. We will, however, also consider applications from graduates with non-related degrees.Five GCSEs grade C / 4 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science. 
In addition to the above, evidence of academic study within the last five years is required. 
Enhanced DBS and OH clearance is also mandatory, along with two satisfactory references and evidence of relevant work experience (paid or voluntary).
Student selection is via UCAS and includes: 
  • A personal statement demonstrating an understanding of the role of the midwife
  • References
  • Confirmation of academic attainment
Applicants are initially screened to ensure they have the required academic qualifications. All eligible applicants will undertake a face-to-face interview with members of the programme team and clinical partners.
If you are an overseas applicant, you must have IELTS where the overall score is at least 7.0, with a score of at least 6.5 in all elements.
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £17,500 £19,000
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and more details of any additional costs associated with our courses are listed on the following page: Additional costs for nursing and midwifery students. 

Tuition fee discount for University of Plymouth graduates

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Plymouth, you may be eligible for a fee discount if you complete your postgraduate studies here as well.
  • 20% discount on tuition fees for home students
  • £2,000 discount on tuition fees for international students

Postgraduate Merit Scholarship for international students

Scholarship value: £2000 off your tuition fees in year one. 
You may also receive:
  • 10% off the successive years tuition fee if an overall grade of 60% or above is maintained
To be eligible you must:
This scholarship will be offered automatically, providing you meet the eligibility criteria. A separate application will not be required.

How to apply

Information required by UCAS

Institution code
P60

Campus code
There is no campus code

Application deadline
See UCAS website for deadline dates. The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 31 May 2023 for entry in September 2023.

Apply now

The School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Plymouth recognise that people may act out of character in times of trouble or distress. However, we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour or language towards any of our staff during the admissions process. Hostile, aggressive, or otherwise inappropriate behaviour or language, whether expressed verbally or in writing, will be viewed seriously and may adversely affect the consideration of an application, appeal, or complaint. We reserve the right to reject an application from, or withdraw an offer to, an applicant who has behaved in an inappropriate manner.

Information required by UCAS

Institution code
P60

Campus code
There is no campus code

Application deadline
See UCAS website for deadline dates

Apply now

Lucy Oates – Midwifery graduate


Lucy tells us how studying BSc (Hons) Pre-Registration Midwifery set her up for a rewarding career in midwifery.
“Midwifery is a fascinating and rewarding career with many different areas to work in and the support from the University and placements is second to none.”
Lucy Oates,  Pre-Registration Midwifery graduate

Blended learning 

A blended learning version of this course now available. The blended BSc and MSc degrees are suited to students who are self-motivated and able to study independently online, accessing engaging digital learning materials for the theoretical element, with regular support from tutors in local areas. 
You will also undertake weekly integrated clinical placements in one of the maternity units across the South West of England, where practice supervisors support you to learn and progress to achieve the required NMC standards of proficiency for midwives.  
BSc (Hons) Midwifery – blended learning
MSc Midwifery (Shortened) – blended learning
MSc Midwifery (Pre-Registration) – blended learning
Midwifery students
Midwifery students

The moment I realised...

“You really do have a long-term impact on a family whether you are a midwife or a student, they just remember you as being someone who was there and held their hand and listened to them.”

Abbie Rich explains the moment she realised she was becoming a midwife.

Getty 1124339065 online learning.computer. laptop

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