Midwifery MSc (Shortened) Programme

Teaching

A key feature of our programme is that students are taught utilising a combination of distance learning and short designated on-site learning opportunities. This unique feature enables qualified nurses to access high quality teaching resources facilitated by an expert midwifery lecturing team using flexible and student-centred approaches with innovative virtual learning experiences. The online experiences include a combination of interactive workshops, lead lectures, tutorials and small group activities. One of our modules includes an Enquiry Based Learning approach to foster independent and transformational learning in both the topic and professional development.

There are opportunities for shared learning with the BSc (Hons) Pre-registration midwifery programme. With opportunities for shared learning with Registered Midwives completing the Neonatal Health Assessment module share teaching with the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice.

Students will also be able to consolidate learning related to midwifery philosophies and skills within the traditional university campus setting, including access to state of the art skills laboratories during the onsite learning and consolidation days. The flexibility of distance learning will be supported by regular opportunities to connect with lecturers, midwives and other students either virtually or during the onsite learning experiences.

At the beginning of the programme, you will be allocated a Personal Academic Tutor. You will have the opportunity to meet with your personal academic tutor, as a minimum, at two scheduled group meetings in the first year to ensure you are settling into university life, to sign-post you to any university services you may need and to provide academic support. These will be complemented with 2 individual meetings.  During the second year to reflect growing confidence, you will be able to meet with your personal academic tutor in a group once and individually for two meetings.

During each year of your programme, you will also be allocated an Academic Assessor (AA). The AA is a Registered Midwife who collates and confirms your achievement in the academic environment for each year of the programme. They work with a nominated practice assessor to make recommendations for progression for each student they are assigned to.

Practice based learning opportunities will run in blocks across the year usually preceded by on onsite residential weekend learning and consolidation days. You will utilise a nationally approved practice record to support your learning and assessment within maternity settings. You will be supported by Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors in your learning within the clinical setting.

Contact Time

Students will complete 12 hours (two days) contact time per week. Typically, students will complete 75% of these days virtually and 25% on campus (typically teaching will be at the end of the week).

On a typical virtual day, contact time will be structured around:

• Flipped classroom
• Lead lecture available synchronously or asynchronous via the VLE
• Asynchronous online discussion forum
• Virtual tutorials

On a typical campus-based day, contact time will be structured around:

• Lead lecture
• Interactive workshop or clinical skills and simulation
• Seminar or tutorials

Students will also complete 1800 hours of practice learning across the course. This will normally include 880 hours in year one and 920 hours in year two. Whilst completing practice learning, students will be expected to attend placement for 40 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 will be expected to undertake around 28 hours of independent study per week. Typically, this would involve completing online activities, reading professional journal articles, policy documents and books. It would also include working on individual and collaborative work, for either Enquiry Based Learning feedback or for preparing for course assessment submissions.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, available at the University of Worcester campus and online. These include The Hive and library resources, Virtual learning platforms and extensive electronic learning resources.

What IT requirements will I need to complete this course?

Due to the blended learning approach between on-campus and remote teaching on this programme, there are a number of IT requirements to ensure you get the most out of your studies:

• It is strongly recommended that students on this course have access to their own laptop to work from.  It is also recommended that the laptop runs the Windows 10 operating system, as students will then be able to access enhanced synergy with the University’s Office 365 offering.
• A built in or external webcam and microphone are required to take part in virtual teaching sessions and seminars. A headset is also recommended for a better audio experience and can make the arrangements involved in attending classes from home more practical.
• Due to the need to access course material online and take in part of collaborative teaching sessions via audio/video, students are advised that access to a robust internet connection is essential.

The University is committed to ensuring that all our students have access to the IT resources they need to complete their studies, in order to help prevent Digital Hardship.

Duration

This programme of study is full-time for 2 years.  It is timetabled for 45 weeks each year, plus 7 weeks holiday.

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. 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.

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 is made up of registered midwives from different backgrounds offering a range of expertise. Teaching is also supported by contributions from other allied health professionals when specialist knowledge is required. Contributions by service users, carers and their families, provide opportunities for the sharing of lived experiences with students.

Teaching is informed by research and consultancy, with 100% of all permanent lecturers in the teaching team having a Higher Education teaching qualification and Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.  In addition to this, three members of the team have achieved doctoral awards.

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 methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, practice documents and a final year independent study project.

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

Year 1

• Report
• Annotated bibliography
• Case Study
• Individual oral presentation
• Assessment of practice of NMC (2019) proficiencies using Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) with pass/fail
• Evidence of Medicines Management at 90%

Year 2

• Development of an e-resource or critique of a guideline
• Dissertation: Service evaluation
• OSCE
• Exam
• Poster presentation
• Assessment of practice of NMC (2019) proficiencies using Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA) with practice grading
• Evidence of Medicines Management at 100%

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken. 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 teachers as appropriate.

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.