Midwifery - University of Cumbria

Why study with us?

This course is designed to prepare you for the role of midwife which puts women at the centre of care.

This pre-registration midwifery programme successfully combines the established patterns of learning with students being supported by midwife mentors, link tutors and classroom teaching with well-evaluated online study for students learning at a distance. This has reduced student travel for the theory parts of the course, it has improved student contact with each other and their tutors when they are miles apart and it has developed the ICT skills of students and tutors.

We aim to enable you to develop the lifelong learning skills needed for this rewarding career.

Course Summary

This full-time three-year midwifery programme is designed to prepare you for the role of midwife as defined in the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC 2009) Standards for Pre-registration Midwifery Education (available at www.nmc-uk.org).

It enables you to place women at the centre of care—to assess needs, to plan and provide care, and where necessary to refer them to other relevant health professionals. This requires a holistic approach that respects individual needs.

The grounding for safe midwifery practice is a sound knowledge of relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology, together with a deep understanding of the psycho-social context of childbirth. In order to adapt care to the context, a midwife must be an effective investigator, critical user of evidence and an excellent communicator. Midwives need well-developed self-awareness skills so they can evaluate their influence on clients and identify their personal and professional abilities and limitations. We aim to enable you to develop the lifelong learning skills needed for this demanding role.

Each programme year is comprised of 45 weeks. Just over half of course time is spent in clinical practice, where your learning is supported by midwife mentors and link tutors from the University. Assessments include examinations, presentations, written assignments (including a dissertation/final project), reflective portfolios, numeracy and practice.

You practice base will be one or other of the two placements circuits; either the North circuit based in the maternity services in and around Carlisle, Whitehaven and Penrith or in the South circuit based in the maternity service in and around Lancaster, Barrow-in-Furness and Kendal.

The theory component of the programme is organised around study block weeks based at the Carlisle (Fusehill Campus) throughout each year and by a study day each week while you are in practice. The block weeks comprise between two and five days per week on campus; this is complemented by essential elements that can occur while you are away from the campus through your use of the Virtual Learning Environment Blackboard. Using this you can stay in touch with and learn with the support of your tutors and peers. You will need to access university based PCs (available at all campuses) or have your own PC, with broadband connection and Microsoft Office software to participate fully in this programme.

However, travel for either university or practice attendance is still likely to be a significant part of this programme for you. At interview we encourage applicants to carefully explore the personal implications of this. You should also look carefully at all of the information regarding bursaries at http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/816.aspx

Applicants should be aware that if not moving to Carlisle to study the course they will still need to travel to the city for the taught elements of the course. Travel expenses will not be available for this part of the course.

Entry requirements

See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credit

Selection criteria

Students normally need a minimum of:

300 UCAS tariff points from 3 A levels to include a minimum grade B in Biology or Human Biology at A2.

Five GCSE’s at minimum grade C to include English Language, Mathematics and Biology or a Combined Science (or equivalent)

Alternate qualifications accepted are:

Access to H.E. Diploma relating to Healthcare to include Biology/Human Biology at Level 3. Merits must be achieved in all Level 3 subjects
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM – to include Biology/Human Biology
Scottish Highers – 300 points from 4 Highers to include grade A in Biology/Human Biology
Irish Leaving Cert. – 300 points from 4 Highers to include A2 in Biology/Human Biology
International Baccalaureate (min. of 30 points) to include Biology/Human Biology

All applicants for the BSc must be able to demonstrate successful study at Level 3 in the last three years. Applicants who are able to demonstrate some recent Level 3 study, but not the breadth (e.g. three A-levels), may be considered providing they can demonstrate relevant life skills and preparation for the course.

In addition to academic qualifications

Our Midwifery degree is very popular and competition for places is intense. Therefore applicants are required to provide evidence of their motivation and commitment to this programme in their personal statement. Please note that your application will not be considered if you have applied to us for additional professional courses apart from Midwifery.

Applicants must clearly explain what has led them to apply to a midwifery programme and the attributes they would bring to it. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have thought carefully about the influences on women’s health and the nature of midwifery in the UK in the 21st Century.

Work experience in a health-related setting such as a hospital or a primary care health centre prior to interview is advisable but NOT essential. Applicants must be able to explain how they anticipate transferring their personal qualities, skills, knowledge and values from life and/or any work experiences to a midwifery programme.

ALL offers to the programme are subject to successful interview with university and practice staff, satisfactory reference(s) and occupational health screening and enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure.

Download BSc (Hons) Midwifery person specification.