School of Nursing and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Midwifery

This blended learning course equips you with the knowledge, skills, interpersonal and cultural competence needed to positively contribute to the health of childbearing women and their families, through individualised midwifery care, promoting continuity of care, personalisation and choice. This blended learning degree is suited to those who are self-motivated and able to study independently online, with regular support from tutors in local areas.

Each week, you undertake integrated clinical placements in a maternity unit in the South West of England, where practice supervisors support you to learn and progress to achieve the required NMC standards of proficiency for midwives On completion, you will achieve a BSc (Hons) Midwifery, and will be eligible to register as midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Each year of this three-year course includes 45 weeks of learning, with 50% of this time spent on clinical placement.

BSc (Hons) Midwifery blended learning course

The blended learning midwifery course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and professional insight needed to become an NMC Registered Midwife. The course will give you the confidence to work inclusively with women and families, and with the competence to provide high quality, evidence informed care. 
This full-time course moves away from traditional lecture-based classroom teaching, instead immersing students within a variety of engaging online activities. 
The course offers a flexible highly motivated approach to learning, suiting those who are looking to balance university life with other commitments. 
Asynchronous learning allows students to undertake theoretical study, when it is convenient for them, based around their weekly clinical placements and home-life commitments; putting them at the centre of their midwifery journey. 
Regular facilitated tutorials will offer additional tailored support from expert midwifery lecturers in this innovative and exciting new curriculum.

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.

Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre (PIHC) 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.

Become a healthcare professional of the future 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
  • Blended learning course. 
  • Weekly midwifery placement experience.
  • Regular face-to-face tutorials.
  • Campus-based clinical skills teaching.
  • Blended learning offers a flexible approach to your study, however please note it is still a full-time course.
  • From 2023, students in Plymouth can train and practice their professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place. 
  • Opportunity for peer learning.
  • Variation in learning approaches such as online lectures, case studies, and IT-based activities. 
  • Holistic approach and experiences in professional practice.
  • 50% of online academic study/tutorials and 50% in clinical practice.
  • You will explore the normality and complexities of pregnancy and birthing.
  • Develop skills to be a critical thinker and be a reflective learner.
  • Learn and be a part of interprofessional team working.
  • By the end of the course you will be able to promote health and wellbeing and provide autonomous care for birthing people, be an effective team member and support other midwifery students.
Course details

  • Year 1

  • The first year of the course includes initial modules that will focus on the midwife as a professional and practitioner, clinical skills, factors influencing health and wellbeing, medication calculation and an introduction to research. 

    Core modules

    • Professional Midwifery Practice (MID401BL)

      This module will introduce the students to professional issues and clinical skills underpinning midwifery practice, aligned with the regulatory body proficiencies. Students will gain a foundation of holistic midwifery practice in core and domain-specific skills and proficiencies under direct supervision and direction in maternity and related clinical settings.

    • Biology for Midwifery (MID402BL)

      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 (MID403BL)

      This module will introduce students to 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 (MID404BL)

      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 (MID405BL)

      The module introduces students to the concept of evidence based practice and facilitates them i) to retrieve information ii) promotes their ability to differentiate between the main research designs and methodologies iii) begin judging the reliability of data and information. The module also introduces basic underpinning scholarly activities to promote responsibility for the nature and quality of their outputs.

  • Year 2

  • The second year will build on essential midwifery knowledge and skills, and extend students’ understanding and application of theory and research to all areas of midwifery practice. 

    Core modules

    • Developing Midwifery Practice (MID509BL)

      This module will develop the student’s professional and clinical skills in the context of midwifery practice and role in the wider professional team. Students will build on their evidence informed knowledge to develop as a safe, competent, woman centred practitioner. This will ensure that the student is able to contribute with decreasing supervision and direction, in line with the regulatory body proficiencies.

    • Reproductive Health and Pregnancy (MID510BL)

      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 (MID511BL)

      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 (MID512BL)

      This module enables the student to demonstrate complex knowledge of the postnatal care of women and their babies, their role in this care and appropriate referral to other health care professionals.

    • Developing Evidence Based Practice (MID513BL)

      This module consolidates student midwifery research scholarship by: demonstrating knowledge of research through the academic processes of structured literature searching and application to evidence based midwifery practice.

  • Final year

  • The final year will include a research or practice development project, and enable students to develop the ability to support women with more complex needs through pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period (including the newborn and infant physical examination – NIPE). 

    Core modules

    • Advancing Midwifery Practice (MID607BL)

      This module promotes excellence in the future midwife’s role as colleague, scholar and leader. It ensures that the student demonstrates evidence-based competent practice in all core and domain-specific skills and procedures in line with the regulatory body proficiencies, under appropriate supervision.

    • Complexity in Midwifery (1) (MID608BL)

      A module encompassing management of complexity in midwifery across the whole childbearing continuum of care with a 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) (MID609BL)

      A module encompassing management of complexity in midwifery across the whole childbearing continuum of care with a 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 (MID610BL)

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

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

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

BSc (Hons) Midwifery Blended Learning Programme Specification 2022-23 7329

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

In light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the changeable nature of the situation and any updates to government guidance, we may need to make further, last minute adjustments to how we deliver our teaching and learning on some or all of our programmes, at any time during the academic year. We want to reassure you that even if we do have to adjust the way in which we teach our programmes, we will be working to maintain the quality of the student learning experience and learning outcomes at all times.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

120-128

120 -128 including a grade B in a science, with preference given to Chemistry, Biology or Physics but Psychology and Sociology may also be considered. Excluding general studies and key skills.
IB
27-30 overall to include a grade 5 at Higher Level in a Science subject - preferably in biology/human biology/chemistry/ physics but psychology may be considered. English and Maths accepted within – if Higher Level = 4 – if Standard Level = 5 – if overseas and not studying English within IB – must have IELTS where the overall score is at least 7.0, with a score of at least 6.5 in all elements.
Access
Pass a named Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3, 30 at distinction level including 15 L3 credits biology. A further 15 credits at L3 must be at merit level. In addition, must have 5 GCSE’s grade C / 4 or above to include Mathematics, English and Science. Preference is given to applicants who have obtained these grades on application. Note the admissions tutor will consider the BTEC Level 2 in Science with a minimum of a merit overall in lieu of GCSE Science C / 4.
T level:
Accepted pathway: Health. Must achieve a Merit overall to include a grade B in the Year One Core Component.
8 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma:
DMM-DDM – needs to have strong science/health element.
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application.
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. 
Applicants meeting academic requirements will be invited to attend a face-to-face interview.
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2022-2023 2023-2024
Home £9,250 £9,250
International N/A N/A
Part time (Home) N/A N/A
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per a number of 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.
How to apply

All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 

UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 

To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

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
<p>Nursing and midwifery facilities.&nbsp;</p>

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.”
<p>Lucy Oates,&nbsp; Pre-Registration Midwifery graduate<br></p>
<p>Midwifery Hero Image</p>

Opportunities for postgraduate study

Once you've qualified as a midwife you may be interested in developing and advancing your knowledge and skills.

The MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Nursing and Midwifery Professions) has been developed to meet the needs of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals working across all healthcare sectors.

Alongside core modules you will have a choice of Modules spanning across healthcare and midwifery. You can tailor the course to meet your needs and focus on your specific area of interest.

This programme may be studied full time over one year or part time over up to five years, offering flexible delivery and exit points to support a learner centred approach.

<p> MSc Advanced Professional Practice (Clinical Practitioner) <br></p>

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.

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People

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