Midwifery with RM Shortened BSc (Hons)

About the course

The BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened is an innovative and exciting work based, flexible learning midwifery course for qualified nurses (adult branch) who want to train for a career in midwifery. The course has an increased emphasis on normality and modules which emphasise a holistic approach to care.

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 BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened 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 structure of the BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened is designed as a work-based course of study with five study blocks that can be studied 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.

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 BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened course is modular in structure. If you wish to collect credits towards and award or a qualification see below the award and credit requirements:

• Diploma of Higher Education in Maternal and Neonatal Health Studies: 240 credits including at least 120 at level 5
• BSc Maternal and Neonatal Health Studies: 300 credits including at least 180 at level 6/5 of which 60 must be at level 6
• BSc (Hons) in Pre-Registration Midwifery: 360 credit points including 240 at level 5/6 of which 120 must be at level 6.

In addition the NMC requirements for registration must be met.

Compulsory modules include:

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

Why choose this course?

• The BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened course is for qualified nurses (adult branch) who want to become midwives.
• It uses blended learning and teaching which includes e-learning with campus based study to strengthen the practice skills learning
• Graduates develop all the necessary skills for a career in midwifery such as independence, initiative, the ability to work with others, ability to research scientific literature and problem solving skills
• Our Midwifery team has won the prestigious Royal College of Midwives Annual Award for Excellence in Midwifery Education in January 2012. 

Study routes

• Part Time, 2 Years
• Part Time,
• Full Time, 18 Months
• Full Time,

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Graduates  from the BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened course become registered midwives and have the skills for a variety of career options including clinical practice, management, research and education.

Some graduates have gone to postgraduate study on the MSc Midwifery

Teaching methods

The BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened 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 BSc(Hons) Midwifery with RM shortened course and is based in one of the three local maternity units.

You will work alongside a registered midwife gaining a hands on experience from your first day of practice. Practice sites for midwifery students are allocated according to preference and availability. The sites are:

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

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

Professional Accreditations

Registered midwife and a BSc Hons degree.

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• Birth and Early Parenthood

  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

  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

  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

  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 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 explored. Communication theories and skills will be 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 explored. 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

If you are a UK or EU full-time undergraduate student, the NHS will pay the tuition fee for this course. You will not have to pay for the course yourself.

UK Students may be entitled to an NHS bursary.

Please note that in the event that you have to retake failed module(s) from a previous year (unconnected with adverse circumstances) you may have to 'step-off' the course until you have passed the module(s). In the event this happens, any NHS bursary you have been receiving will cease until you are in a position to resume the full-time course. In addition, you will be required to pay student tuition fees for retaking the failed module(s).

Find out more information on financial support arrangements for pre-registration health programmes.

University of Hertfordshire bursaries are not available for this course.

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