Midwifery (Shortened Route) - MSc
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.
This two-year MSc in midwifery is aimed at those with an NMC adult nurse registration who wish to further their academic development and practice as a midwife. Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to apply and be entered onto the NMC register as a midwife....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MSc
- Start date January 2027
- Subjects
- Location City South
This course is:
Overview
This two-year MSc in midwifery is aimed at those with an NMC adult nurse registration who wish to further their academic development and practice as a midwife. Successful completion of this course provides eligibility to apply and be entered onto the NMC register as a midwife.
This is a full-time course, with an equal balance of theory and practice learning, which meets the minimum requirement of 3600 hours (Nursing and Midwifery Council, 2019).
What's covered in this course?
You will study various modules, which will allow you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to care for women and newborn infants across the care continuum through pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour and birth, postpartum, and the early weeks of a newborn infant’s life. Your core nursing skills will be further developed and applied in the field of midwifery. There is a strong emphasis on developing your ability to work as an autonomous practitioner, and within the multi-disciplinary team, who can advocate for women and their families. The utilisation and evaluation of research to underpin midwifery practice is embraced throughout the course with the expectation that you will apply this to both the theory and practice elements. The course philosophy places women and their families at the centre of midwifery practice irrespective of their complexity or health care setting.
Each year, you will engage in yearlong practice exposure, which forms part of a module assessment. This module, alongside varied clinical placements, will provide you with preparation and support to develop your confidence and competence in practice, working towards autonomously leading and co-ordinating care at the end of your course. Clinical practice will be assessed using the nationally, NMC approved Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement (MORA). We work with our practice partners to ensure you will have practice learning experiences in a wide range of settings - including community, hospital and home settings. You will be exposed to diverse populations and you will learn to work as part of the interdisciplinary and multiagency teams. Whilst on placement you will be supported, supervised and assessed by suitably prepared practice and academic staff to develop your knowledge and skills.
We are committed to providing you with excellent, innovative, learning, teaching and assessment experiences. We use technology to enhance your learning, through lectures, seminars, skills simulation and virtual learning. Engagement of practice partners and service users in all areas of learning, teaching and assessment is integral to our approach. Our evidence-based curriculum will empower you to contribute to the provision of high-quality holistic care both during your studies and in your future profession.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
Why Choose Us?
- Places on this course are funded by NHS England. Find out more about the funding.
- The University is an Approved Education Institution. This course has been developed in line with the midwifery education standards and is approved by the NMC.
- Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse cities outside of London, which provides you with a wide variety of placement experiences that will be valuable to take forward into your future career.
- Our specialist skills facilities include a home environment and birthing area. Teaching tools such as a birth simulator and neonatal manikins help to simulate a variety of birth scenarios.
- By successfully completing this course you will have the opportunity to graduate with two qualifications: MSc in Midwifery which is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the Public Health England Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Programme (NIPE).
- This is an exciting course which offers the opportunity to study for midwifery at Master's level. Studying at Level 7 provides the foundation for potential opportunities in research, practice development and specialist employment.
- Our well-established peer buddy system will support you from the start of your course.
Open Day
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 27 June 2026
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a UK registered adult nurse
- Have a 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Adult Nursing
- Demonstrate level 2 evidence of literacy, numeracy, and IT skills in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council requirements
- Hold and maintain current NMC adult nurse registration throughout this course
- Provide a satisfactory clinical and academic reference prior to commencing the course
A minimum of 6 months full-time equivalent prior to commencement is required.
Consideration may be given for applicants with significant clinical experience who have not completed a 2:1 degree but have level 6 credits at a level assessed as suitable by the Midwifery course team.
Candidates may be required to complete pre-offer work for assessment by the Midwifery course team to deem suitability for entry onto the course.
Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study in Higher Education within the last five years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example healthcare, social care, or education.
All applicants will be interviewed. Interviews are currently taking place via Microsoft Teams. Find out more about online interviews.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Clearance
Enrolment on the course is subject to:
- an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check
- Occupational Health Clearance.
After the initial check, students will be required to self-declare and re-enrol each year.
If you have any queries, please refer to DBS Frequently Asked Questions, Occupational Health Clearance information or contact admissions@bcu.ac.uk.
It is important that you complete DBS and Occupational Health requirements as soon as possible once your offer is confirmed, to ensure that you have the necessary clearances in place before you start your course placements.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MSc
Starting: Jan 2027
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 2 years
-
TBC
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
In addition to completing our application form for this course, you must also complete an NHS application. This is because you will be employed at Band 5 during your training. You can upload the completed application form along with proof of your qualifications to your applicant portal (you will create a login when you complete our application form online). If you are successful at interview, your NHS application form will be forwarded to the Trust.
Application deadlines
We advise you to apply early to allow sufficient time for you to prepare to start your studies in January. Please apply by Friday 4 December to allow time to arrange accommodation, student finance and visas where required.
Late applications will be accepted where places are still available.
To find out more, see our application timeline.
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Year One
There are no optional modules. In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
This module will introduce you to the principles of normal childbearing and includes the development and care of the newborn. The aim of this module is to provide you with a foundation on which subsequent knowledge and understanding of midwifery will be built; as you progress through your course. It introduces you to normal midwifery practice and the associated clinical skills required to provide holistic and individualised care
This module provides you with the opportunity to develop yourself into the accountable and autonomous practitioner within the midwifery profession. You will be provided with the principles underpinning partnership working to promote safe and effective care and choice for women and their families. Midwives are required to make critically important contributions to the safety and quality of midwifery care. Subsequently the module will enable you to develop the skills required to participate and lead within effective teams. Using critical self-reflection on yourself and others you will build on several skills leant as a nurse and emerge as an accountable scholar and leader in preparation for registration as a midwife.
Based on the social model of care which underpins the curriculum, this module will encourage you to develop the knowledge and skills needed to recognise and then respond compassionately, holistically and competently to childbearing women and their families, who are living with complex needs.
The Pre-registration NMC Educational Standards (2019) require the preparation of student midwives to be knowledgeable and skilled in making holistic risk assessments using a wide range of techniques, adapting midwifery care to individual needs and collaborating effectively with the MDT to keep women and babies safe.
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all CORE modules (totalling 180 credits).
This 40 credit module, focuses on the potential complexities of childbirth for the woman. Whilst the overall programme philosophy and midwifery practice is grounded in normality, midwives have a key role in both working in partnership with other healthcare professionals to care for women and their families, who have complex health and social care needs. This module will therefore provide you with the underpinning knowledge, skills and experience you need to enable you to actively participate in the management of midwifery care for women and their babies when childbirth deviates from the normal including when obstetric emergencies arise.
This module will focus on the identification, assessment and holistic care of the complex neonate within contemporary midwifery practice. It is intended that during the course of this module you will gain the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to develop your professional role in the holistic examination of the baby, including the specific skills required to undertake the complete Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE)
The aim of this module is to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills for research driven, evidence-based practice. Studying research at master’s level will place you at the forefront of progressing care and improving outcomes for women and families. Your research skills will be enhanced through the generation of a solution to an identified clinical need. Through evaluation and dissemination of your research output you will make a unique personal and professional contribution to the advancement of midwifery practice.
Download course specification
Download nowIn order to meet the NMC (2019) requirements there is a minimum of 3600 hours in total with a 50/50 split of theory and practice the following workload applies. This is based on the equivalent of 40 hours theory per week and 6 weeks annual leave per year. Whilst on placement students are expected to complete 37.5 hours of clinical hours. Students are expected to work to 1800 hours in total per year of the programme.
Scheduled Learning includes lectures, practical classes and workshops, contact time specified in timetable.
Directed Learning includes placements, work-based learning, external visits, online activity, peer learning.
Private Study includes preparation for exams.
Additional support
If you are dyslexic, have a specific learning difference or a disability, we have a Disability Tutor who can help and support you with this.
Accreditation or professional associations
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) works with partner organisations to set and maintain high standards of nursing and midwifery education across the UK.
This course has been approved and monitored by the NMC to make sure that the education and training on offer meets their standards.
To work as a nurse or midwife, you must pass an NMC approved course at a higher education institution (HEI) in pre-registration nursing and midwifery, leading to registration with the NMC.
Athena Swan Bronze Award
We have successfully secured the Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Award recognising a commitment to gender equality.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
Employers at our NHS partnership trusts consistently cite the strength of our graduates at interview and their suitability to be immediately fit for practice as a midwife.
We believe it is because of our selection of determined and caring individuals who are motivated to becoming midwives that have the 6C’s as their core attributes.
Employers at our NHS partnership trusts consistently cite the strength of our graduates at interview and their suitability to be immediately fit for practice as a midwife.
We believe it is because of our selection of determined and caring individuals who are motivated to becoming midwives that have the 6C’s as their core attributes.
Placements
On our Midwifery courses, you can expect to enjoy a number of placements at some of the biggest and busiest NHS centres for midwifery training in the Midlands. We have a teaching-placement split of 50-50%, reflecting the importance of the clinical experience you will get at these Trusts and birthing centres.
Within these placements you will experience a wide range of midwifery practice progressing from normality in year one to complexity in year two and more specialist roles in year three. You will also have the opportunity for additional experiences such as gynaecology and the neonatal unit
Our partner NHS Trusts are some of the world’s leading maternity environments, including Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
Our Nursing and Midwifery courses are based at our City South campus in leafy Edgbaston.
We’ve spent £41million expanding our facilities at City South. These facilities offer hands-on practical experience, replicating the spaces you will come across in professional practice.
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that you learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. Alongside physical spaces such as a mock operating theatre and wards, we also make use of online and virtual technology, such as our virtual ward and virtual case creator.
See more of our skills facilities at City South
Centre for Skills and Simulation
The Centre for Skills and Simulation offers a range of different spaces which replicate situations that you will encounter in practice. These include hospital wards, an operating theatre and a home environment room.
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. The hospital wards can be adapted from low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
The home environment room is the perfect space for teaching communications skills and allows us to simulate a community setting for our students. It is particularly useful for mental health nurses, learning disability nurses and midwives.
Simulation Manikins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and simulation babies (SIM babies) which are anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills. The manikins contain software which replicates real symptoms, and can manipulate indicators such as blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM man can even ‘talk’ to the students as they are treating him, to add another dimension to learning.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building has two open-access IT Suites which offer PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. There is also an IT Helpdesk for quick and easy help with your computing or internet issues.
Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
In addition to desktop PCs, we also offer a laptop loan facility, allowing students to borrow a laptop for up to six hours while on campus.
Our staff
Rachel Moule
Senior Academic (Teaching and Learning)
Rachel is the programme leader for the return to practice: midwifery course. She has herself previously undertaken a RTPM course. Rachel is supported by colleagues from midwifery and nursing. Close links are maintained with practice education teams in local NHS Trusts. Wider afield, links are strongly made and maintained with...
More about RachelJulie Hadley
Associate Professor - Nursing and Midwifery
Julie is Associate Professor - Nursing and Midwifery at Birmingham City University. She has been employed in higher education since 2008. After qualifying, she worked as a midwife at the Birmingham Women's Hospital and later as a Research Midwife. She was then employed as a project manager and research teacher and was involved...
More about JulieNatasha Carr
Senior Midwifery Lecturer
A a senior lecturer in the Midwifery Department, Natasha is responsible for providing, supporting and facilitating teaching and learning on both the long and short BSc (Hons) Midwifery Programmes. In addition, Natasha teaches alongside colleagues on the Examination of the Newborn Programme and lead the Professional Midwifery Advocate (A-EQUIP)...
More about NatashaNovia Samuels
Senior Lecturer and Course Lead for MSc Midwifery
Novia has experience in all areas of midwifery. She has worked in intrapartum care for over 10 years. She has been a Core High Dependency Unit midwife in one of the UKs large maternity units for over 10 years on a delivery suite and caring for women with extremely complex medical histories. This role also involved supporting junior...
More about NoviaSharon Hadley
Visiting Lecturer in Midwifery
Sharon has been a midwife for nearly 20 years where her love for the role has just grown as she has developed in her career. A career spanning 20 years has allowed her to flourish and try different roles that all entwine to improve the care women and their families receive.
More about Sharon