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What makes Midwifery at Worcester special?

The BSc Midwifery at the University of Worcester is a highly evaluated, successful programme which provides excellent teaching and clinical practice experiences.

Midwives enjoy the unique privilege of a career caring for mother, their babies and the whole family. At Worcester, you will not only gain the skills and experience needed to become a confident, competent and caring midwife, you will also develop the intellectual tools to help you shape the future direction of the profession by generating new ideas and evaluating innovative ways of working. 

The teaching team is dedicated to supporting students and constantly strive to further their academic careers thereby maintaining excellence in their field. Students consistently receive positive feedback on performance and professional conduct from women and their families. 

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Emphasis is on learning in diverse, supportive practice learning environments, with 50% of the course embedded in practice
  • 45-week course with 7 weeks designated holiday each year
  • UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative accredited course
  • Opportunity to complete either a UK or international elective placement
  • Skills and simulation centre provides the opportunity to safely and confidently practice midwifery interventions
  • Technology Enhanced Learning is a feature of each theoretical module enabling flexible learning when appropriate
  • We utilise an Enquiry Based Learning approach within some of our modules. This promotes student learning beyond content, but also professional behaviours and development of important, relevant skills. The learning here is based on clinical scenarios which have been developed with our service users
  • Our lecturers are experienced midwives who are supported by professionals from the midwifery service giving you access to specialist knowledge in a range of areas including perinatal mental health, bereavement, genomics and leadership
  • Visiting lecturers including experienced and senior clinical midwives and patients, their families and carers
  • On successful completion of the BSc Midwifery course, students will be eligible to apply for registration as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.


Man in hospital gown laying down on hospital bed, with a blood pressure monitor being strapped onto his arm by a nurse

£5,000 support for healthcare students

From September 2020, the Government announced that eligible students on Dietetics, Midwifery, Nursing (Adult, Child, Mental Health), Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy and Radiography (diagnostic) courses will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not need to pay back.

More details about the payment
Entry requirements

Entry requirements

120
UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

  • Offers based on 120 UCAS tariff points
  • Typical offer is BBB
  • Must include a minimum of one relevant subject e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, PE, Sociology, or Health and Social Care

OR

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 level 3 credits – 24 at distinction and the remainder at merit

OR

  • BTEC Diploma (Health & Social Care preferred)

AND

  • 5 GCSEs (including English and Maths) at grade C/4 or above. Functional skills level 2 Mathematics is accepted as an alternative. Please note that functional skills level 2 English is not accepted. Those applying via an Access course only need to meet the requirements for English and Maths.
  • Evidence of contributing to the health/well-being of young people/adults, for example:
    • Duke of Edinburgh award scheme
    • Mentor/Leader in any young person's organisation
    • Volunteering
    • Caring for vulnerable individuals in a community or hospital setting
    • Doula/antenatal educator

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. T Level subjects considered for this course include:

  • Health
  • Healthcare Science
  • Science

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) requirements 

All students are required to have enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance prior to entry to the programme and self-declare good character each year. Good health is determined through occupational health assessment which is currently provided by an independent supplier.  

Key Information for Applicants

  • All candidates are encouraged to attend a university open day or midwifery taster day
  • Apply via UCAS between September and January 
  • Midwifery is an over-subscribed course – applications received outside the UCAS cycle will not be considered
  • Include an academic reference to support your application
  • Present a personal statement with a clear midwifery focus
  • Successful applicants are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  • Find out more about the arrangements for health education funding
  • Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview

English language requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English and who are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency must ensure that it is, or is comparable to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5. (HCPC 2013)

Available resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare an application to the Midwifery programme. Examples include the UCAS Guides and:

  • Durant E (2017) The Survival Guide for Passionate Applicants 2nd edition ellie@midwifediaries.com Eleanor Durant
  • Peate I, Hamilton C (2014) The Student's Guide to Becoming a Midwife 2nd edition Oxford, Wiley & Sons Ltd  
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Course content

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and by feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course.  If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative. 

Here is a broad outline of the current course:

Year 1

  • Foundation Midwifery Skills (30 credits)
  • Leading Universal Care for Women and Families (30 credits)
  • Universal Care of the Newborn (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Evidence-based Practice (15 credits)
  • Foundation Midwifery Practice (30 credits)

Year 2

  • Developing Midwifery Skills (30 credits)
  • Coordinating Additional Care for Women and Families (30 credits)
  • Additional Care of the Newborn (15 credits)
  • Apply Evidence to Practice (15 credits)
  • Developing Midwifery Practice (30 credits)

Year 3

  • Consolidating Midwifery Care (30 credits)
  • Holistic Examination of the Newborn (30 credits)
  • Dissertation (30 credits)
  • Consolidating Midwifery Practice (30 credits)
Teaching and assessment

Teaching and assessment

The Midwifery course runs during 45 weeks each year with seven designated annual leave weeks.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of structured lecturers, seminars, case studies, directed and independent study, group work including scenario, problem and enquiry based learning, group and individual tutorials, with the additional support of e-learning strategies using the virtual learning environment.  There will be input from other agencies, service users and professionals as appropriate.

A particular feature of the programme is the opportunities for clinical skill and simulated learning including role play, ‘hands-on’ practical skills sessions using a range of simulation manikins. Formative feedback on performance is provided to facilitate safe and effective support for essential skills development, in the simulation suites, replicating hospital, home and community practice learning environments

Practice learning experiences in a range of hospital and community settings, including flexible placements using a complementary placement week to maximise the learning opportunities offered by diverse and non-traditional settings. Students will complete 2300 hours of clinical experiences over the three years.

Students will work a 37 hour week, experiencing the range of hours expected of Registered Midwives and this will include evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Contact time

In a typical week, a student will have around 12 - 18 contact hours of teaching during theory weeks. The specific contact hours will depend on the year of study because in the final year there is less contact time in order to in order to enable more independent and self-directed study. This allows the completion of a dissertation, a sustained piece of individual work, which critically and ethically engages with professional midwifery practice.

Whilst in placement, students will be expected to attend placement for 37 hours per week, experiencing the full range of hours expected of Registered Midwives. All practice learning hours must be formally recorded and signed for.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 25 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including The Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources. 

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with clinical experience, demonstrators and technical officers. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy.

You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.  

Assessment of practice is facilitated by a continuous practice document called The Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA). This provides opportunities for the formative and summative assessment of practice learning.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary. All modules are mandatory and a typical formal summative assessment activity include written assignments (essays/reports), exams (seen and unseen), artefact design and group presentations, including poster presentations.

Practice learning assessment involves the continuous assessment process of midwifery knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours and values expected, progressing from Participation (Year 1), Contribution (Year 2) and Proficiency in Midwifery Practice (Year 3).

Formative and summative assessment of practice is recorded in the National MORA for each year of the programme. Numeracy and medicines management is assessed developmentally across the programme, culminating in providing evidence of achieving 100% in a calculation of medicines test prior to qualifying. 

A typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:  

Year 1
  • Group presentation 
  • Report  
  • Reflective account  
  • Exams  
  • Essay 
  • Assessment of practice of NMC (2019) proficiencies using Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) with practice grading 
  • Evidence of Medicines Management at 80% 
Year 2
  • Report  
  • Reflective account  
  • Group poster presentation  
  • Exam  
  • Essay OR Parental teaching resource Critique 
  • Assessment of practice of NMC (2019) proficiencies using Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) with practice grading 
  • Evidence of Medicines Management at 90% 
Year 3
  • Individual presentation 
  • Case presentation 
  • Supporting paper  
  • Dissertation  
  • Reflexive account  
  • Assessment of practice of NMC proficiencies using Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) with practice grading 
  • Evidence of medicines Management at 100% 

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.  

Timetables

Module timetables are normally available two weeks prior to commencement of the module. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

A year-long course planner identifying holiday weeks, theory and practice weeks is available prior to the start of course. 

Details regarding placements are usually provided 4 weeks before the start date of the placement and students are expected to contact their placement for details of the shifts they are required to complete.

While on placement, students are required to work 37 hours a week and this can involve early morning shifts, long days, evening and night shifts, as well as the possibility of working weekends and bank holidays.  This replicates the working pattern of a Registered Midwife.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Lauren Johnson

Lauren Johnson

Just two weeks before taking her first steps to achieving her life’s dream of becoming a midwife, Lauren Johnson was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. But Lauren did not let that stop her pursuing her dream job and now she’s looking forward to graduating.

She said becoming a midwife had been a life-long passion. “Being able to be part of a person's pregnancy journey is always an honour,” she said. “These women and their new families are experiencing a life changing process whether it be antenatally or during labour and supporting them to birth their baby, we have the potential to make such a difference in their experience and it is a pleasure to be able to call this our job.”

Lauren said she feels proud of her achievements and is now working as a community midwife with Worcestershire Acute NHS Hospitals Trust.

Read Lauren’s full case study here.

Careers

Careers

Achievement of the BSc (Hons) in Midwifery normally indicates a student’s Fitness to Practice and eligibility to enter the NMC professional register, permitting use the title Registered Midwife. Almost all graduates go straight into midwifery employment, locally, nationally and in some instances internationally in a wide range of healthcare settings. First destination data shows that midwifery students from the University enjoy high levels of employment with 95% of students employed within 6 months of graduation. Students acknowledge that the programme improves their career prospects and future career aspiration.

Furthermore, several initiatives are also embedded within the programme. During year 3 students are provided with opportunity to complete ‘mock’ interviews and are supported with CV writing.

Personal Academic Tutors provide further support to students with career planning and writing personal statements.

The programme team work with the University Careers & Employability Service ensuring details of Trust recruitment events and individual jobs are forwarded to students during their final year.

Local employers from within the Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire counties and surrounding areas are invited to meet with students and discuss career opportunities and further professional development.

Continuing professional development includes the opportunity to undertake post-graduate academic study including Master’s degrees.

Two students are walking next to each other and smiling

Careers and Employability

Our Graduates pursue exciting and diverse careers in a wide variety of employment sectors.

Find out how we can support you to achieve your potential
Costs

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees

The standard tuition fee for full-time UK students registering in the 2024/25 academic year is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Tuition fees will cover the cost of uniforms, an enhanced DBS check, an occupational health screening and vaccination.

Funding for student midwives

The Government has announced that, from September 2020, students on Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Paramedic Science courses will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not need to pay back. Find out more about this payment.

New students in England on midwifery courses have access to the standard student support package of tuition fee loans and support for living costs.

If you already have a degree, and are planning to undertake midwifery as a second degree, you will have access to student loans.

The Council of Deans of Health have created a website with more information on the funding for student midwives.

Course-related costs included in the fees

We will provide initial uniforms (3 tunics, 2 trousers & epaulettes). We will also cover the costs of an Enhanced DBS check, an Occupational Health screening and vaccinations.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £131 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £221 per week (2024/25 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

Additional costs

Day to day costs exist for printing, stationery and books 

As part of the course you will need to travel to placement and will therefore need to pay any associated costs. You may be able to reclaim these travel expenses depending on your individual circumstances.

Cost of NMC Registration on completion of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme

How to apply

How to apply

Disability concerns

Are you worried that your disability or physical or mental health problem will affect your application to nurse/midwifery training?

The Disability Rights Commission (2007) identify that applicants to higher education have a statutory duty to disclose information about disabilities or long-term health conditions for entry to nursing courses across Britain. Although the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) says that 'you may not be fit to practice for reasons of conduct, health or competence' (NMC 2008) it's not straight forward and we would not want you to be deterred from applying.

If you have a disability, physical or mental health problem the above legislation and professional guidelines do not prevent you from applying to this University to undertake Nurse/ Midwifery training. In accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 reasonable adjustments can be considered and put in place, as appropriate, to support and enable you to undertake your studies effectively.

We would like to encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual concerns. For example, if you are wondering whether you would be suitable for selection or if you can cope with the programme or carry out the specific skills required in performing the job book an appointment to come and talk to us.

Please contact:

University admissions (01905) 855111 email admissions@worc.ac.uk

You could also contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service at the University of Worcester. If you suspect that your disability will impact on your learning experience we urge you to contact the Service to discuss the nature and range of adjustments that may be necessary for you. Please feel free to get in contact before or after your application.

Please note: This is an additional option to the requirement to disclose on the Pre-Enrolment Health Questionnaire

We have included an advice booklet written by a student nurse for students with Dyslexia on clinical placements

Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia Service on 01905 85 5531 email: disability@worc.ac.uk

Applying through UCAS

Midwifery BSc (Hons) B720 BSc/Mid

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

Recruitment for this course considers not only the values of the specific profession you are wishing to join, but also the values outlined in the NHS constitution. You can expect to be shortlisted and interviewed based upon these values as well as course/profession specific requirements.

The 6 Cs can be used to support your knowledge of these core values prior to submission of your UCAS/application form or interview.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Midwifery admissions

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