Master of Midwifery MMid

About the course

The MSc Midwifery course is an innovative and exciting work-based course for qualified nurses (adult branch) who want to gain midwifery skills at Master’s level. The course has an emphasis on normality and midwifery topics which consider holistic approaches to care in partnership with women.

It is the only course in the UK which offers a Master’s in Midwifery at pre-registration level.

You will learn from the best as our Midwifery team has won the prestigious Royal College of Midwives Annual Award for Excellence in Midwifery Education in January 2012. This success is due to the expertise of our staff and the content of our course which gives students the opportunity to combine theory with practice through the practice placements.

The aim of the MSc Midwifery course is to:

• prepare you for entry to the Midwife’s aspect of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Professional Register, in accordance with the professional and statutory requirements
• make you a committed midwife that contributes to the enhancement of health and social care through inter-professional collaboration
• develop skills that make you become a responsive, confident midwife who at the point of registration is competent to practice in a variety of settings
• develop transferable communication skills to enhance critical decision making and to use appropriate information technology
• give you the skills to become a midwife that is safe, effective and competent in caring for women experiencing normal childbirth recognising the need for appropriate referral to other health professionals
• enable you to act as an advocate and facilitator of change using an evidence-based approach in theory and practice

The MSc Midwifery course is a work-based course in which you study five study blocks in eighteen months. The study blocks involve 30 hours of contact time leading to a total of 150 hours of contact time throughout the course. You will learn through lectures, student led seminars, tutorials and practical workshop sessions using an enquiry based approach.

When you return to your clinical site, you are supported through the use of online resources such as the discussion and group working facility on StudyNet our University’s virtual learning environment. You will have access to the range of electronic sources available via StudyNet and will be expected to complete online work books in your self-directed study time.

The course leads to the award of Registered Midwife and a Master of Midwifery (MMid) degree. The award of a Master of Midwifery Degree requires 180 credits, to include at least 150 credits at Level 7.

Compulsory modules include:

• Journey to motherhood M (30 credits)
• Birth and early parenthood M (15 credits)
• Diverse lifestyles and midwifery care M (30 credits)
• Complex midwifery M (15 credits)
• Promoting normality through midwifery care M (30 credits)
• Physical examination of the healthy newborn M (30 credits)
• Enhancing midwifery practice M (30 credits)

Why choose this course?

• The MSc Midwifery course is an innovative and exciting work-based course for qualified nurses (adult branch) who want to gain midwifery skills at Master’s level
• If focuses on normality and modules which consider holistic approaches to care in partnership with women.
• It uses blended learning and teaching which includes e-learning with campus based study to strengthen the practice skills learning
• Graduates develop critical awareness and gain insight around current midwifery practice and its' evidence base so that they are able to make sound judgments in complex situations
• Our Midwifery team has won the prestigious Royal College of Midwives Annual Award for Excellence in Midwifery Education in January 2012.

Study routes

• Full Time, 18 Months
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Graduates from the MSc Midwifery course become registered midwives and have the skills for a variety of career options including clinical practice, management, research and education.

Teaching methods

The MSc Midwifery course is delivered using a blend of teaching and learning strategies, primarily utilising e-learning, but also facilitating blocks of study to strengthen the implementation of enquiry based and practice skills learning.

You will have access to StudyNet our virtual learning environment where you can access electronic course materials, including different formats such as 'blogs', podcasts, group discussions and online tutorials.

Effective online learning requires a high level of responsibility for learning on the part of students and a reduction of the teacher-student power differential. Short experiential exercises which may or may not be in direct contact at the University will enhance the learning opportunities.

Open learning attracts self-disciplined and motivated students who are able to direct the pace of learning to suit their personal circumstances and commitments. In essence this will be practice-based learning as the theory is integrated in practice, and you can study course material, work on course activities, and develop assessments. You will have virtual support from University tutors, link tutors on site and residential study week ends.

Work Placement

Midwifery practice makes up 60% of the programme and is based in one of the three local maternity units. You will work alongside a registered midwife gaining hands on experience from your first week of practice. Practice sites are allocated according to preference and availability.

The sites are:

• Barnet General Hospital
• The Lister Hospital, Stevenage
• Watford General Hospital

You will also be required to undertake a small caseload during your studies, enabling you to provide continuity of care throughout the whole spectrum of childbirth.

Professional Accreditations

Master of Midwifery

Registered Midwife

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Birth and Parenthood M

  Studying this module provides the student with an in depth knowledge of the anatomy and physiology applied intrapartum and post partum care of the woman and her baby. The role of the midwife is integrated into the student's practice. Work based learning enhances the application of knowledge to skills alongside safe learning within simulated clinical environments. Development of the students knowledge, attitude and skills, in relation to the birth process and postnatal care for the mother, infant and her family, includes learning and application of the NMC Essential Skills Clusters for labour care, administration of medicines, initiation and continuing support of breastfeeding, and communication skills The module content will reflect current best evidence and the underpinning knowledge provides the physiological and psychological basis for the provision of care. The role of the midwife in providing maternity care is also explored and the wider social issues that influence maternity care are addressed.

• Complex Midwifery M

  This module explores the decision making processes necessary for the recognition and management of complex midwifery cases and emergency situations within the context of the midwives sphere of practice. Aspects will be taken from antenatal, intra partum and postnatal areas of care. The options for management are considered alongside best evidence and known pathophysiology. Simulated clinical environments are created to facilitate safe learning of both the emergency and associated skills. Supportive mentorship enhances the application of these skills during clinical placements. The recognition of how these high risk cases may necessitate individual midwifery care pathways to support women and families is linked to current evidence and the necessary interpersonal skills.

• Diverse Lifestyles and Midwifery Care M

  The module will cover a range of cultural, social, physical and psychological lifestyle issues that may pre-exist or may present for the first time during pregnancy. Students will be introduced to these life diversities as they affect the health of women in the childbearing period. Predisposing factors and evidence around inequalities in health for childbearing women will be linked to current local and government agendas aimed at improvements in outcomes. Students will be encouraged to define problems and investigate strategies that promote physical and psychological health for the women and families as an aspect of the midwives role. Students will gain experience in practice to support and enhance their learning on this module, applying the knowledge gained as an evidence base for their midwifery practice.

• Journey to Motherhood M

  This module considers the development, health and well-being of the childbearing woman and her unborn child pre conceptually and during the antenatal period. There will be the development of a systematic and comprehensive knowledge base around the physiological, psychological, biological and physical basis for the provision of care to the childbearing woman, during the antenatal period. The role of the midwife in pre conceptual and antenatal practice, providing holistic care and in referring to appropriate professionals and agencies is critically analysed. Communication theories and skills will be interpreted and applied to promote physical and psychological health of the woman throughout the pregnancy. The role of the midwife in promoting health and educating women will be critically evaluated. Transferable knowledge and skills from nursing practice will be enhanced through their application to midwifery - these will include anatomy, physiology and communication skills.

Optional

Fees & funding

Fees 2013

UK/EU Students

Full time: £5,250 for the 2013 academic year

International Students

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply