MSc Midwifery (Pre-Registration)

Midwives support women when they need it most.

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:

What can you do with a midwifery degree?

• 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

  MID508
  Professional Midwifery Practice - MORA

  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.

  MID601
  Professional Midwifery Practice

  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.

  MID602
  Biology for Midwifery

  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.

  MID603
  Wider Determinants of Health and Wellbeing

  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.

  MID604
  Pharmacology and Medicines Management

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

  MID605
  Evidence Based Practice

  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

  MID701
  Developing Midwifery Practice

  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.

  MID702
  Reproductive Health and Pregnancy

  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.

  MID703
  Physiological Childbirth and additional needs

  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.

  MID704
  Postnatal and Neonatal Care

  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.

  MID705
  Developing Evidence Based Practice

  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

  MID706
  Advancing Midwifery Practice

  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.

  MID707
  Complexity in Midwifery (1)

  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.

  MID708
  Complexity in Midwifery (2)

  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.

  MID709
  Research and Quality Improvement

  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.

MSc Midwifery (Pre-Registration) programme specification_6993

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 usually required. Ideally this should be one of the qualifications listed here, but the admissions team will assess on a case-by-case basis.

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:

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.

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 30 May 2025 for entry in September 2025.

Apply now
http://www.ucas.com/apply

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.