Course Structure

Introduction	The course has been designed to meet local strategic drivers in maternity care, whilst meeting the requirements of the NMC Standards to register as a midwife and is developed in partnership with service users, local voluntary and charitable organisations and stakeholders. The programme will develop knowledge, skills and attributes central to midwifery practice: 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 course is modular and designed to develop the knowledge and skills that students will require to deal with normal midwifery practice and to co-ordinate the care of women experiencing complexity during pregnancy.
Stage 1	You will be introduced to professional working alongside foundational knowledge and skills in Midwifery to support you in implementing safe and effective woman centred care.
Stage 2	You will deepen your knowledge of pregnancy and birth, and learn more about the complications that can arise.
Stage 3	Leadership will be a key focus in this final year whilst managing specialist and complex care and supporting women across a range of services. You will have the opportunity to consolidate your learning in practice preparing you to enter the register as an Midwife.

Contact Teaching Times

Medium Group Teaching	18 (hours maximum) Students should expect to spend 5 days per week in classes during teaching time. On placement you will work a 37.5 hour week, on a shift pattern as set by the host clinical area, including night shifts and long days, weekends and bank holidays.
Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial	6 (hours maximum) Small group tutorials allow students to explore topics in greater depth.

• E-Learning technologies
  A range of e-learning experiences are embedded in the degree using the Learning Management system, Canvas. Other examples include: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space, podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities.
• Lectures
  Introduce 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).
• 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.
• Practicals and simulation
  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). You will be expected to attend 100% of classes within your midwifery modules.
• 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).
  
  Midwifery students should expect to travel to placement. Students are allocated a supervisor while on placement, and are expected to work alongside that person regardless of their shift pattern. Students should expect to work night shifts etc as required throughout the programme.
• 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.
• Seminars/tutorials
  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 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.

• The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Modules are assessed through a variety of assessments that may include assignments, project work, presentations or 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 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.

Facilities

Students have access to our cutting edge simulation and clinical skills suite, where they can learn and practice skills in a safe environment.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/Facilities/

Entrance requirements

All applicants 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 and entrance requirements are reviewed annually. Overall academic background will be taken into account when considering applications and additional academic criteria may have to be applied at shortlisting, depending on the volume of applications. All applicants must normally have a minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade B / 6 to include Mathematics and a Science subject (ie Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Double Award Science or Single Award Science). GCSE Applied Science is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Science. A minimum of a grade C / 4 in GCSE English Language or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is also required. Applicants offering Access/Foundation course qualifications must also have a grade B / 6 at GCSE in both Mathematics and a Science subject (see above) or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Within an Access programme, 70% in NICATS Mathematics and 70% in a Level 3 Biology or Chemistry or Physics module would fulfil the GCSE Mathematics and Science requirements. Where there are two units of Mathematics within the Access course, a minimum of 70% is necessary in both. In addition to the GCSE requirements, or equivalent, applicants must offer one of the following qualifications:

A level requirements BCC including a relevant Science (Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Life & Health Sciences, Mathematics or Physics) OR BBC where a relevant Science subject is not offered.

Irish Leaving Certificate H3H3H3H4H4 at Higher Level where a relevant Science subject is offered (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) OR H3H3H3H3H4 at Higher Level where a relevant Science subject is not offered. All applicants - if not offered at Higher Level then Ordinary Level grade O3 in Mathematics and a Science subject. All applicants must have a minimum of 5 grade Bs / Higher Merits in the Junior Certificate to include Mathematics and Science.

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF) Successful completion of the BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades DDM. Edexcel BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF) Successful completion of the BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades DDM.

Access/Foundation Course 65% (Level 3 modules) with two modules of Biology or Chemistry or Physics OR 70% (Level 3 modules) with one module of Biology or Chemistry or Physics OR 70% (Level 3 modules) in an Access Course with no science modules In addition, see GCSE or equivalent requirements above (in “All applicants”).

BTEC Higher National Diploma Successful completion with a minimum of 12 Merits and 4 Passes in individual units. Must satisfy the GCSE Mathematics and Science requirements as above.

BTEC Higher National Certificate Successful completion with a minimum of a Merit grade in each unit. Must satisfy the GCSE Mathematics and Science requirements as above.

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 applicants must have a minimum of 5 Standards at grade 2 or a minimum of 5 Intermediates/National 5 at grade B to include Mathematics and a Science subject. A minimum of a grade 3 in Standard English Language or a grade C in Intermediate/National 5 English Language is also required.

Graduate Honours Degree (minimum third class); Ordinary Degree (minimum pass). Graduates must satisfy the GCSE Mathematics and Science requirements as above.

Open University Credit A minimum of 120 OU Credits. Must satisfy the GCSE Mathematics and Science requirements as above.

1. Applicants who satisfy the academic requirements or will be able to do so by 31 August 2022 will be shortlisted for interview. 2. Interviews normally take place during February and March and will be conducted via an online interviewing platform called Sonru. More detail can be found on the School’s website. 3. Offers are made on the basis of ranked interview scores are subject to satisfactory Occupational Health Assessment and Criminal Record check(s), in addition to any academic requirements. More detail can be found on the School's website.

Career Prospects

Introduction
The course will prepare you for practice as a midwife, whether as the lead professional or as part of an interdisciplinary providing care for pregnant women and their families. You will complete the course and graduate ready for practice as a competent practitioner ready to care for women during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period.

There are many career opportunities for midwives, whether in practice, education or research. You may choose to pursue further academic study at Master’s or PhD level or specialise further in practice in a specific area, such as mental health or drug and alcohol addiction. Midwives who graduate from QUB are in demand, both regionally and nationally and we have a very high employment rate for newly qualified midwives.

Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1	No Fee
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2	No Fee
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1	£9,250
EU Other 3	£17,900
International	£17,900

¹ EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

² EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees, in line with the Common Travel Agreement arrangements.

³ EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2022-23, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

GB students (England, Scotland, Wales) are not entitled to a commissioned place with associated funding (tuition fees, and maintenance allowance from the NI Department of Health) and a decision as to whether or not we can admit GB students with funding from the Student Loans Company has not yet been decided. Clarification on this position is currently being sought and further information will be available in due course.

Additional course costs

Midwifery costs

All students entering this programme are required to undergo an enhanced disclosure check with Access NI which costs £33.

In year 1 students must buy a uniform from a QUB uniform supplier (approximate cost £180), a name badge (£10) and a Practice Assessment Document (PAD)(£10) from the University.

All students on this program will undertake clinical placements, students are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placements. Some reimbursement may be available.

In Year 2 students may wish to undertake an international elective placement, students are responsible for funding travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. These costs vary depending on the location and duration of the placement.

Students may wish to buy a Fob Watch or Pinard Horn, approximate cost £15.

International students pay a placement charge which is for facilitating the clinical placement. It is collected by the Student Finance Office and is passed on to our placement provider partners. The cost is currently £4,000. Students will also be required to pay for transport to and from their placement locations.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/International-scholarships/.

How and when to Apply

1. How to Apply
Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at:
www.ucas.com/apply

2. When to Apply
UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2022 from 1 September 2021.

Advisory closing date: 26 January 2021 (18:00).

Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code for Queen’s is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at:
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

3. Terms and Conditions
After an offer is made this will be notified to applicants through UCAS. Confirmation will be emailed by the Admissions and Access Service and this communication will also include Terms and Conditions which applicants should read carefully in advance of replying to their offer(s) on UCAS Track.
www.qub.ac.uk/Study/TermsandConditions

4. International (Non- EU) Students
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) STUDENTS
Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

4.1 Applying through UCAS
Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's.
www.ucas.com/

4.2 Applying direct
The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/

4.3 Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.
www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/Agents-and-partner-information

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