Degrees Offered

• BSc Honours Midwifery Sciences (UCAS Code: B720)

Contact Information

The Registry Office
School of Nursing and Midwifery
T: +44 (0)28 9097 5718/5719/5716
E: nur.registry@qub.ac.uk
W: http://www.qub.ac.uk/nur

Entrance Requirements

This information is prepared in advance of the academic year to which it relates and the grades stated should be treated as a guide only as requirements can vary from year to year.
Overall academic background will be taken into account when considering applications.
All applicants (except Access/Foundation applicants) must normally have 5 GCSEs at grade B or better to include Mathematics and a Science subject (ie Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Double Award Science or Science). A GCSE Applied Science is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Science. A minimum of a grade C in GCSE English Language is also required. Applicants offering Access/Foundation courses must have GCSE Mathematics and a Science subject at grade B or better. Please note that NICATS Mathematics is acceptable in lieu of GCSE Mathematics and a Science module in Biology, Chemistry or Physics would be accepted in lieu of GCSE Science.
In addition to the GCSE requirements, or equivalent, applicants must offer one of the following qualifications:

• A-level
  BCC including a relevant Science (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics)
  OR
  BBC where a relevant Science subject is not offered.
• BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma (18 Units)
  Successful completion with 6 Distinctions and 12 Merits in a relevant science based course
  OR
  Successful completion with 8 Distinctions and 10 Merits in a non-relevant course.
• Access/Foundation Course
  An average mark of 65% where at least half of the overall programme is in Biology and Chemistry
  OR
  An average mark of 70% is required for non-science access courses.
• BTEC HND
  Successful completion with Merits or better in at least 12 of the 16 units and Passes in all other units.
• BTEC HNC
  Successful completion with Merit grade or better in all units
• Irish Leaving Certificate
  B2B2B2CC at Higher Level where a relevant Science subject is offered (see list under A-level requirements)
  OR
  B2B2B2B2C at Higher Level where a relevant Science subject is not offered
  All applicants: if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade B in Mathematics and a Science subject.
  Note: Junior Certificate grades will be taken into account at shortlisting
• Scottish Highers
  BBBCC where a relevant Science subject is offered (see list under A-level requirements)
  OR
  BBBBC where a relevant Science subject is not offered.
  All candidates must normally have 5 Standards at grade 2 or better or 5 Intermediates at grade B or better to include Mathematics and a Science subject. A minimum of a grade 3 in Standard English Language or a grade C in Intermediate English Language is also required
• Graduate
  First Degree Pass or better

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each test component or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information on other acceptable English Language qualifications is available here

If you are an international student and you do not meet the entrance requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will prepare you for successful study on these degree courses. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses including:
International Foundation in Engineering and Science

For all applicants
In addition, candidates must meet the academic entrance requirements by 31 August 2013. If candidates request a remark of a paper and subsequently achieve the required grade, their offer will be honoured but it may have to be deferred to a later intake.

At shortlisting, preference may be given to applicants offering GCSE grade B in Mathematics and/or a Science or equivalent. Additional academic criteria may be applied at shortlisting depending on the volume of applications.

Applicants made an offer of a place on the programme are required to undergo a satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment and Criminal Record check (Access NI Enhanced Disclosure Check).

Further academic changes may be introduced for 2013 entry and a final decision will be taken based on the experience of the previous academic year.

Note: The BSc in Nursing and BSc in Midwifery Sciences are taught in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and application is currently made direct to the School and not through UCAS but this is under review and may change for 2013 entry.

The Subject

The School of Nursing and Midwifery is located within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, and is uniquely positioned to offer an innovative approach to interprofessional education using the latest technologies in simulated learning for clinical practice. Our programmes integrate theory and clinical practice, preparing our students to be sought-after practitioners capable of delivering care around the globe. Our training partners include internationally-recognised clinical institutions and community care services. Our students benefit from teaching by staff actively engaged in areas of specialty practice, and with the support of a personal tutoring scheme.

There are opportunities for student exchanges with our international partners and the School supports students to undertake activities of benefit to the broader Northern Ireland community.

Course Content

This three-year degree programme is the first step in preparing you for an outstanding career in Midwifery. The degree has specific learning outcomes that relate to the knowledge, skills and attitudes to practice that are: woman/family centred, clinically effective, competent and safe, evidence-based, and established on caring and ethical principles. It provides students with direct contact with women, their babies and families in home, hospital and community settings under the supervision and guidance of lecturers and skilled midwives.

The programme is unique in its approach to using facilitated learning experiences to enhance student autonomy in delivering care to women and their families. Modules are designed to develop the knowledge and skills that students will need to deal with normal midwifery practice and to co-ordinate the care of women experiencing more complex pregnancies. The public health role of the midwife is highlighted throughout and students gain experience in planning and co-ordinating care for mothers and their babies.

Click here for more information on modules

Learning and Teaching

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the BSc in Midwifery Sciences we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.   Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

• Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers).
• Practicals:  where you will have opportunities to develop midwifery practical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts.  All midwifery students participate in simulated emergency drill training on an annual basis and have opportunities to engage in interprofessional education (IPE).
• E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.  A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example:  interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities.
• Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers.  You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.  There are also opportunities to engage in inter professional interactive education.
• Self-directed study:  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and research for assignment work is carried out.
• Practice placements:  Students will undertake clinical placements regularly throughout the programme.  This enhances the link of theory to practice in midwifery and provides students with a wide variety of opportunities and experiences in all fields of maternity care.  This is an essential component of the programme, ensuring that the student has sufficient opportunities to develop skill and competence in care provision and decision making, meeting the requirements for professional  Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2009).
• Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them on several occasions during each year of the programme to support their academic development.

Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module.  Modules are assessed through project work, written assignments, written and oral examinations. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Handbook which is provided to all students at the start of each module.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted. 
• Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time. 
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work. 

Careers

Studying for a BSc (Hons) Midwifery Sciences degree at Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions.  Graduates from this degree at Queen’s are well regarded by employers both nationally and internationally.

The majority of our graduates pursue a career in midwifery which offers a diverse range of post registration opportunities to specialise in areas such as: bereavement counselling; antenatal screening coordination; perinatal mental health; family planning and reproductive sexual health; ultra sound scanning; public health and health promotion; breastfeeding support; neonatology, and education and research

The Prospects websiteprovides further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Midwifery Graduates.

Further study is also an option open to Midwifery graduates. For taught postgraduate programmes, students can follow the Masters in Advanced Professional Practice or the Doctorate in Midwifery Practice.  Students can also choose from a comprehensive list of research topicsto follow research degree programmes.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plusinitiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own, personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plus in particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies.  These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

Special Features

Queen's is the only university in Northern Ireland offering a Midwifery Sciences degree programme. Teaching and learning activities include the use of high fidelity simulation technology where students use their midwifery knowledge and skills in a safe, controlled environment. In the final year of the programme, students have the opportunity to negotiate a short elective placement at home in the UK or abroad where they identify the learning outcomes that they wish to achieve.

Eligible students may have their fees paid for the duration of the three-year programme by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and may also receive a bursary.