Overview
Midwifery means ‘with woman’. Our NMC-validated Midwifery degree course will prepare you to support the health of woman, their babies and their families. Be there at the start of a beautiful journey. Study full-time in Cambridge, Chelmsford or Peterborough in our true-to-life skill laboratories with inspiring lecturers. Develop your skills further on placements, and graduate ready for a career as a midwife.
Careers
We work with employers to make sure you graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities they need. They help us review what we teach and how we teach it – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements.
Our course meets the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards for Pre-Registration Midwifery Education 2009. This means that when you graduate, you can apply to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and start working as a midwife. Most newly qualified midwives join an NHS Trust.
Midwifery brings unique rewards. You’re present at one of the most important moments in people’s lives, helping to safely begin the life of their child. This degree opens up a world of opportunities, including career progression, specialism and postgraduate study.
Modules & assessment
Year one, core modules
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Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice 1
This module will enable you to reflect on compassionate care, and how midwives advise and support women and their families in pregnancy, understanding individual needs and respecting choices and laying the foundation for safe motherhood (Francis 2013, NHS Constitution 2012). You will start your journey to midwifery practice and build the sound foundation upon which the next three years will be built. You will explore the anatomy and physiology of the major bodily systems and the impact of pregnancy and childbirth on these systems. This knowledge will help you appreciate the rationale for the schedules of care through the birth continuum. You will gain an overview of the provision of maternity care through the birth continuum, exploring the philosophy and models of care and being introduced to the midwife’s role and responsibilities. Antenatal and postnatal care is examined in more depth, and you will discuss the impact of this care on the woman’s experience. You will learn basic midwifery skills required to assess the well-being of the woman and foetus and be introduced to the communication skills required to support the woman and her family. The fundamentals of client satisfaction including effective communication, choice and safety in childbirth is also explored. -
Fundamentals of Midwifery Practice 2
This module will prepare you to provide evidenced informed care for women and their families through the variations of normal on the birth continuum, in the light of NHS Constitution, the Francis Report and other important political drivers. You will revisit your understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and normal physiological changes that take place during pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium and you will consider the variations upon normal which are encountered in everyday practice. The physiology of parturition is examined in depth, focusing on how the physiology of birth can be maximised to promote normality. Variations in normal birth is also explored together with ways that may prevent or reduce those variations moving towards the abnormal spectrum. You will also learn more about care in the postnatal period, with particular emphasis upon the care and feeding of the new-born infant, and the associated evidence. You will explore the midwife’s role in supporting women in their infant feeding choices and in providing breastfeeding support. You will also consider the concepts of motherhood and parenthood and the impact of birth experiences on the adaptation to parenthood, together with ways of reducing negative birth experiences. You will continue to develop communication skills with women, their families and the multidisciplinary team and will focus on the needs of clients with communication difficulties. -
Knowledge, Research and Evidence in Midwifery Practice
You will have the opportunity to assess concepts of midwifery knowledge used to inform clinical practice. Different forms of knowledge including: intuitive knowledge, scientific inquiry, traditional knowledge, technical and specialist knowledge is explored. You will consider the concept of evidence-based practice and learn about the different approaches to undertaking research in midwifery. You will develop ‘the expertise, clinical and technical knowledge’ needed to ‘deliver effective care and treatments based on research and evidence’ in line with the ‘Compassion in Practice’ Vision and Strategy Document (DH, 2012, p. 13). You will gain an understanding of different research methodologies (linked to the nature and purpose of the research), consider data collection methods, different kinds of analysis and various ways of presenting research findings. You will learn to question the validity of knowledge and evidence around midwifery and, in doing so, developed the skills necessary to make decisions about whether research findings should be integrated into practice. -
Fundamental Midwifery Skills
This module will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to communicate and provide competent, compassionate basic midwifery care (Francis 2013, NHS Constitution 201). It will help you develop evidence-based fundamental midwifery skills required to care for women and babies during a physiologically normal antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period. The development of midwifery skills that promote normality within childbirth will be a strong focus. You will be introduced to the normal/abnormal continuum that can occur during the childbearing period. You will gain the skills to detect departure from the normal continuum together with skills that may prevent or reduce movement towards the abnormal spectrum. You will cover a range of fundamental midwifery skills including those identified by the NMC Essential Skills Clusters for progression point 1, the 6C’s of compassionate care, NICE Guidelines and the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative.
Year two, core modules
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Midwifery Care for the Woman and Infant with Complex Needs
You will learn about the complexities that arise both as a result of the childbearing process and pre-existing medical conditions. You will explore the midwives’ role in providing care for women and infants with complex needs during this period and the importance of multidisciplinary team working in meeting those needs. The importance of providing evidence-based information to help women make informed choices about their own, and their baby’s care is examined. You will discuss how risk impacts on women’s choice and how midwives can minimise this impact and promote normal birth and positive outcomes for women with complex needs. You will explore the notion of risk and risk assessment and develop your knowledge of clinical decision-making, problem-solving and appropriate referral. The concept of iatrogenesis and strategies to minimise iatrogenesis within maternity care is also investigated. -
Promoting Health and Wellbeing in Midwifery Care
You will consider the nature of health, and will focus on the political, social and psychological theories linked to the concepts of promoting health and well-being. You will focus on the key action area for the NHS including: helping people to stay independent, maximising well-being and improving health outcomes (Compassion in Practice, 2013). The module will introduce key concepts and issues to develop your awareness, knowledge and skills to promote health and well-being at individual and community levels. You will explore the role of the midwife in the promotion of health at the level of the individual and population. The module will emphasise the importance of all midwives as health promoting practitioners and Making Every Contact Count (MECC). You will gain further understanding of the importance of inter-professional/inter-collaborative working within the multi-cultural community. -
Emergency Midwifery Skills
You will explore emergency, high risk situations that occur during childbearing and the role of the interdisciplinary team in dealing with such incidents. You will cover a wide range of situations, which may arise during childbearing including those identified in the triennial Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Death. You will also reflect on the wider issues of risk, consent, scope of practice, communication, inter professional team work and evidence informed practice in the context of a variety of emergency complications of childbearing. -
Developing Professional Midwifery Skills
This module develops your clinical midwifery, professional and interpersonal skills and prepares you to provide midwifery care for women and babies with complex needs while also facilitating normality in the care process. This module will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to communicate and respond competently when caring for women or infants with complex health needs, with care and compassion, advising and supporting women and families when pregnancy or childbirth deviates from the normal (Francis 2013, NHS Constitution 2012).
Year three, core modules
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Newborn Infant Physical Examination
You will focus on the specialist knowledge and the clinical skills required to undertake a thorough examination of the newborn infant. You will use the in-depth knowledge and understanding which you have gained to recognise the deviations from the normal and initiate appropriate care and referral. The work-based environment will provide you with an opportunity to undertake clinical examinations of the newborn infant. On the other hand, reflecting on these examinations will allow you to further identify your learning needs and develop your scope of professional practice. -
Safeguarding: A collaborative approach
'Collaboration is hugely important at all levels and across all settings as it underpins excellent care and the work needed to deliver the vision. Working with others in our teams is at the core, and our stakeholders and partners must feel involved to ensure best practice is shared, resources are utilised effectively and the maximum shift in culture is achieved' (Compassion in Practice, DH 2012). You will learn about vulnerable groups, particular covering the areas of Substance misuse, Mental Health, Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding. In the light of the Francis Report (2013) and others, this module will help you to understand of these subjects and the need for a collaborative approach to meet clients’ needs in a competent, caring and compassionate manner (NHS Constitution, DH 2013). You will draw on your practice experiences to identify and respond appropriately to cases/scenarios as an effective member of the multidisciplinary team. It’ll help you understand what the law says you and others must do or are expected to do and thus encourage good cross-agency working (Working together, 2013). -
Advancing Midwifery Skills
By the end of this module, you will demonstrate readiness for midwifery practice and the ability to become a professional and motivated practitioner. One of the key principles that the NHS aspires to is to provide high-quality care that is safe, effective and focused on the patient experience; to innovate practice and improve the current and future health of the population. You will build upon your clinical skills and apply theory learnt over the last three years. You will review, through the use of the student pledge, how small but significant changes in practice can improve the care given to women and their families. You will discuss the NHS Constitution and the findings from the Francis Report (2013) and explore innovative approaches and how to implement change and provide evidence-based care. Risk assessment, patient safety and clinical governance is also considered. Finally, you will review how the service improvement impact on women and their families and how they can communicate the change to a wider audience. -
Undergraduate Major Project
The undergraduate major project enables you to raise and address significant questions relating to your chosen topic/issue. You will be supported by a tutor with similar interests and research profile. This module requires autonomous study and it is your chance to demonstrate that you have met our University’s expectations and are ready to graduate.
Assessment
We use a range of assessment methods to help you and your tutors measure your progression on this course. Besides exams, these include essays, observed practice assessments, presentations and a portfolio of clinical practice. You’ll be assessed and graded in practice by the midwives who mentor you on your placements.
Where you'll study
Your faculty
The Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care is the largest in ARU, with over 7,000 students. Our Faculty is teeming with expertise and primed to meet the demand for creating health professionals, teachers, doctors, scientists and educators for the three districts we serve: Chelmsford, Cambridge and Peterborough.
We have been training undergraduates for professional roles for over 25 years, with a reputation for quality, dedication and ambition balanced with student satisfaction.
We know that to give our students the very best experiential learning, prior to getting into the workplace, simulation is second to none, for safe, realistic, learning environments. We have invested heavily in purpose built simulated wards, science labs and skills space, to support our students through their learning.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Peterborough (Guild House)
Guild House is our small, friendly campus in the historic city of Peterborough.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK & EU students starting 2019/20 or 2020/21 (per year)
£9,250
Fee information
For more information about tuition fees, including the UK Government's commitment to EU students, please see our UK/EU funding pages
For more information on changes to NHS funding from September 2017 and support available, please see our NHS students funding page.
Entry requirements
From the above information we will calculate requirements for Scottish/Irish Highers, International, European and Welsh Baccalaureate equivalents so that they are all equitable. We will also accept tariff points from other qualifications on the UCAS tariff such as the Cambridge Pre-U (subject requirements will be assumed to be the same as for A Level).
Applying
All applications must go via UCAS. We accept applications between September and 15 January for the following intake year. Late applications will be considered if places are available.
International applicants
Due to restrictions in the availability of placements in the NHS (UK National Health Service) we are unable to consider applications from international students unless you have, and can produce evidence of, 'Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK' (or equivalent) and have lived in the UK for three years or more for reasons other than education prior to the course. EEA nationals are welcome to apply.
Interviews
If your application is shortlisted you'll be invited to attend an interview at our University. This will comprise of a talk about the course, a lecture and three mini multiple interviews (MMI). You'll be expected to send scanned copies of your original educational certificates and ID documentation prior to interview and bring the originals to the interview day.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
An enhanced level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) disclosure is a check with police forces and local authorities in the UK to ascertain whether or not you are suitable to work with certain groups of vulnerable people. These checks are required to be carried out on all prospective students to ensure the safety of our client group.
Further information on DBS disclosure will be sent at a later date if you are successful and firmly accept your place at ARU.
DBS re-checks: As a nursing student on the BSc Honours degree you will be required to undergo DBS screening each year.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please email answers@anglia.ac.uk for further information.
We don't accept AS level qualifications on their own for entry to our undergraduate degree courses. However for some degree courses a small number of tariff points from AS levels are accepted as long as they're combined with tariff points from A levels or other equivalent level 3 qualifications in other subjects.
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