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Master of Midwifery

Why choose Herts?

Industry-Recognised Accreditation: Accredited by The Nursing and Midwifery Council, UK.

Teaching Excellence:  You will be taught by expert senior midwives within the NHS working within hospitals including UCLH London. Tutor Dr L Abbott, contributes to the National Health Service in this specialist field.

Strong Industry Connections: Benefit from our links with local NHS healthcare organisations and local trusts such as West Herts NHS Trust, Royal Free NHS Trust, and East and North Herts NHS Trust.

  • Entry requirements and key information

    The normal entry requirements for the Master of Midwifery course are:

    • First degree at 2:1 or above, achieved during nurse training (Part 1 of United Kingdom NMC register: Adult)
    • Evidence of study of research methods
    • IELTS for candidates whose first language is not English – overall score 6.5 and not less than 6.5 in any one section

    Please note that all applicants who are not from an English speaking country are required to undertake an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as a programme requirement. Therefore, as part of the admissions process applicants will need to have achieved a level 6.5 in all categories prior to being offered an interview.

    All applicants need to have completed 10 years general school education before the start of the programme.

    All applicants must demonstrate that they have good health and good character, sufficient for safe and effective practice as a midwife.

    The University and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) require the following:

    • Satisfactory enhanced DBS screening
    • Satisfactory Occupational Health screening
    • Two satisfactory references (see below)

    When you apply for the Master of Midwifery Shortened Programmes please ensure that you include:

    • personal statement: make it clear that you are an Adult Registered Nurse, and whether your programme included research methods.
    • references: one employer and one academic reference required: to include information about your character. Your first referee will need to provide a reference with your online application and if you are successful at interview your second referee may send a reference to shortmidwiferyenquiries@herts.ac.uk. Alternatively, you may provide a hard copy from your referee in a sealed envelope that has been signed and dated by your referee, across the seal. 

    For more information on the course and how to apply please contact shortmidwiferyenquiries@herts.ac.uk

    If you do not have the required level of English for entry, our academic English and foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

    Institution code

    		 H36

    School of study

    		 School of Health and Social Work

    Course length
  • Full Time, 18 Months

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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  • Employability

    Careers

    This course prepares you to become a registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). It also gives you a foundation to specialise in aspects of care, such as teenage pregnancy, parent education, infant feeding and bereavement support.

    What job can I get?

    Most midwives graduating from this course find employment in local NHS Trusts, but some choose to move further afield. Many of our former students now have positions in management, research and education. 

    Work placement

    Midwifery practice makes up approximately 60% of the BSc (Hons) Pre-registration Midwifery (Shortened) programme and is based in one of five 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:

    • East & North Herts NHS Trust (Lister Hospital, Stevenage)
    • West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust (Watford Hospital)
    • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust (Barnet Hospital)
    • The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (Harlow),
    • Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Luton)

    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

As a graduate with a Master's degree you are eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a midwife.

About the course

The Master of Midwifery (Mmid) course is an innovative and flexible work-based course for qualified adult nurses who want to gain midwifery skills at Master’s level. It will develop your skills and knowledge so that you can become a responsive, confident midwife able to care for women and their babies. Focusing on holistic care, you will gain a sound knowledge of what is normal and healthy in childbearing women, enabling you to recognise and manage problems they might face.

The aim of the MMid 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
  • enable you to 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

The programme consists of 86 weeks in total, with eight study block weeks, and reading and professional development time included within the programme. During your clinical placements, you will be supported through online resources, discussions, group working and reflection sessions. Each week comprises of 40 hours and is a combination of practice and theory. When in placement, the clinical hours will be 30 hours per week, with 10 hours of theory.

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

Why choose this course?

  • The  Master of Midwifery course is for qualified nurses (adult) who want to become midwives.
  • The programme provides an innovative student-centred approach to learning which fosters independent and transformational thinking.
  • It uses blended learning and teaching, which includes e-learning with campus-based study to strengthen practice-based skills.
  • It focuses on normality and has modules which consider holistic approaches to care in partnership with women.
  • Graduates develop the necessary skills for a career in midwifery such as independence, initiative, the ability to work with others, ability to research scientific literature, critical enquiry and problem-solving skills.
  • The inclusion of the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) competency will provide students with advanced knowledge when caring for mothers and their babies.
  • An elective placement offers an exciting opportunity to gain experience in another maternity setting within the UK or globally. 
  • The midwifery lecturing team are committed to achieving UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Accreditation for their midwifery programmes.
  • There is an active Midwifery Society that has produced outstanding work in organising events for its members, to which they have been highly commended for Society Committee of the Year in 2017. 

What will I study?

The Master of Midwifery programme 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 practice skills learning and an enquiry-based approach. Students are encouraged to critically think, analyse and challenge practice, thereby enabling them to respond well to the dynamic practice environment.

Experiential learning within the clinical area through the mentor-student partnership, learning through simulation, self-directed work and reflection sessions are vital components of the programmes. Students have access to a virtual learning environment where there are electronic course materials to support learning; a variety of formats may be used such as online activities and tutorials, narrated powerpoints, videos, quizzes, blogs, podcasts and group discussions.

Effective online learning requires a high level of responsibility and organisation on the part of students and a reduction of the teacher-student power differential. Open learning attracts self-disciplined and motivated students who can direct the pace of learning to suit their personal circumstances and commitments. There is a diversity of teaching, learning and assessment approaches throughout the curriculum, giving all students the chance to flourish regardless of their preferred learning style. For example, each year includes a combination of written, oral and practical assessment strategies.

The support for students and the student experience is fundamental not only to this Programme but to the University as a whole. Academic, pastoral and practice placement support is provided, and a welcoming environment is nurtured, so that students feel comfortable in coming forward to discuss any areas of concern that may potentially affect their performance and be supported so they may progress successfully.

  • Level 7
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Examination of the Newborn (Pre-reg 7 Shortened) 30 Credits Compulsory
    Investigating Midwifery Practice (M) 30 Credits Compulsory
    The Professional Midwife (M) 15 Credits Compulsory
    Complex Midwifery (M) 15 Credits Compulsory

    • Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    Master of Midwifery Download
    Master of Midwifery Download
    Programme specifications
    Master of Midwifery Download
    Master of Midwifery Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

    Student experience

    At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

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