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Master of Midwifery (Pre-registration, Shortened)

Why choose Herts?

  • This course enables you to have tuition fees paid for by Health Education England
  • You’ll receive salary support at mid-point band 5
  • You’ll be eligible for dual registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • Upon graduating students will be qualified as a Newborn Infant Physical Examination practitioner
  • Entry requirements and key information
    • 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, 20 Months

    • Location
  • University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
  • Employability

    Careers

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

    • Our graduate midwives secure employment within local NHS Trusts and many work in management, research and education positions.  

    • Students on this course consider further education at PhD level.  

    What job can I get?

    Students on the course continue into employment within NHS Trusts or progress within research or our doctoral college 

    Work placement

    Midwifery practice within maternity units makes up approximately 60% of this programme. 

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

    Our students practice within the following NHS Trusts: 

    • 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) 

    • North West Anglia Foundation Trust  

    • Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Kings Lynn  

    • Homerton University Hospital  

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

Professional Accreditations

Graduates are eligible to register as a qualified midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

About the course

Master of Midwifery (Pre-registration, Shortened) is a Full Time innovative and flexible work-based course for qualified adult nurses who want to gain midwifery skills at Master’s level. This programme will develop your skills and knowledge supporting your professional development as a responsive, confident midwife able to care for women and their babies. You will focus on holistic care and gain a sound knowledge of health assessments for childbearing women. 

The aim of this course is to: 

  • Contribute to the national drive to address the current midwife shortage 

  • Prepare you for entry to the Midwife’s aspect of the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) Professional Register 

  • Make you a committed midwife contributing to enhance health and social care through inter-professional collaboration 

  • Develop your skills to make you confident and competent to practice in a variety of settings 

  • Support you in developing transferable communication skills, improve your critical decision making and have you become familiar using associated information technology 

  • Provide you with all-round midwifery skills conscious of safe effective and competent care for women experiencing normal childbirth whilst recognising needs 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 

  • Support you to develop critical awareness and gain insight around current midwifery practice so you’ll begin to make sound judgments in complex situations 

This programme consists of 86weeks in total, with eight study block weeks. Students must complete 3000hours during the programme consisting of 50% theory and 50% practice. Theory weeks include protected self-directed study, reading and professional development time. During your clinical placements you’ll be supported through online resources, discussions, group working and reflection sessions. Each week comprises of 40hours and is a combination of practice and theory. When in placement your clinical hours will be 30hours per week with 10hours of theory. Theory weeks are 40 hours.  

2nd for health and social care in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES, Advance HE, 2023). The course leads to the award and a Master of Midwifery (MMid) degree. Successful students can apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The award of a Master of  Midwifery Degree requires 240credits, 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.

  • Throughout the course students will have:  

  • A blended approach to learning using online platforms and face to face teaching 

  • Practice across midwifery skills in small groups with an expert facilitator  

  • Programme and Practice Reflection with the programme leader   

  • Protected self-directed study time  

  • Electronic practice assessment document  

  • Ongoing independent and transformational thinking experiences 

  • Blended learning and teaching, which includes e-learning with campus-based study to strengthen practice-based skills. 

  • Focus on normality and has modules which consider holistic approaches to care in partnership with women 

  • Core problem-solving skills for a career in midwifery such as independence, initiative, the ability to work with others, ability to research scientific literature, and application of critical enquiry 

  • Inclusive learning of the newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE) competency with advanced knowledge when caring for mothers and their babies. 

  • An elective placement offering exciting opportunity to gain maternity-setting experience within the UK or globally 

  • The midwifery lecturing team who are committed to achieving UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Accreditation for their midwifery programmes 

  • Access to an active outstanding Midwifery Society. The group were commended for Society Committee of the Year in 2017.  

What will I study?

  • Master of Midwifery is a blended-learning programme incorporating e-learning, practice skills with an enquiry-based approach. Students are encouraged to think critically, analyse and challenge practice, thereby enabling graduates to be highly responsive in dynamic practice environments. 

  • Experiential learning through simulation within the clinical area 

  • Working with your course supervisor whilst managing self-directed work and reflection sessions are vital components of the programme.  

  • Students have access to a virtual learning environment where you'll use a range of electronic course materials such as podcasts, blogs, narrated presentations, group discussions, online tutorials and interactive activities to support your learning.  

  • Effective online learning requires a high level of student responsibility and organisation and reduces the teacher-student power differential.  

  • Open learning attracts self-disciplined and motivated students who can direct the pace of learning to suit 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. 

  • Academic, pastoral and practice placement support is provided throughout your study. You will learn in a welcoming and nurturing environment with ongoing opportunity to speak with your tutor for support. 

  • Level 6
    Module Credits Compulsory/optional
    Principles of Midwifery Care M 30 Credits Compulsory
  • 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
    Risk Recognition and Midwifery Management (M) 30 Credits Compulsory
    Complex Midwifery (M) 15 Credits Compulsory
    Transition to Parenthood (M) 15 Credits Compulsory
    Public Health and Global Issues in Midwifery (M) 15 Credits Compulsory

    • Key staff

    Radica Hardyal
    Programme Leader
    Find out more about Radica Hardyal

    Further course information

    Course fact sheets
    Master of Midwifery (Pre-registration, shortened) Download
    Programme specifications
    Master of Midwifery (Pre-registration, shortened) Download
    Additional information

    Sandwich placement or study abroad year

    n/a

    Applications open to international and EU students

    		 No

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