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BSc|Undergraduate

Midwifery

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
BCC/BBC
Duration
3 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
B720

Midwifery is a rewarding, dynamic and highly skilled profession. This course will equip you with the knowledge, skills and attributes to provide woman-focused and family centered, safe and effective care. It will also enable you to work alongside interdisciplinary teams within maternity services as a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registered midwife. Students will commence this programme in September 2025.

As a Queen's University student you will be appointed a personal tutor whose role is to support you in your educational journey. Our personal tutor programme is very well regarded, and we were awarded the Best Student Experience award in the 2021 Student Nursing Times Awards.

As well as learning in class, you will have the opportunity to learn in our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite (the KN Cheung SK Chin InterSim Centre). This helps prepare you and compliment your learning in the practice-based learning environments, which take place in a range of clinical settings including hospital and community and accounts for 50% of your education.

The course is taught by midwifery experts in education and research, clinicians and specialist practitioners who will support you in becoming a caring, compassionate and competent midwife who provides high quality care. The inclusion of interdisciplinary learning throughout the three-year course will enrich your experience and prepare you for working together in practice.

This programme has fully funded commissioned places made available by the Department of Health for home students, including full fees and a bursary, subject to eligibility criteria. Students on this programme are ineligible to apply for funding from the Student Loans Company. It is not available as a part time programme.

If you have previously commenced or completed a Department of Health paid place/bursary for a pre-registration nursing, midwifery or AHP course in Northern Ireland you will not be eligible for a funded place on this programme.

Queen's is the only university in Northern Ireland offering a BSc in Midwifery.

Midwifery highlights

Professional Accreditations

Professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a midwife.

World Class Facilities

It is important for students to rehearse and advance practice in a safe environment; we achieve this through scenario-based simulations. Our revolutionary facilities allow our students to immerse into lifelike scenarios, including how to care for women in an obstetric emergency situation. The KN Cheung Sk Chin InterSim Centre opened in 2021, and is one of a few in the UK to incorporate simulation based education using an interdisciplinary approach.

Further Study Opportunities

Once you are a midwifery graduate, there are different educational options open to you. For example at Queen's Universtiy Belfast we offer taught postgraduate programmes, such as the Master’s in Advanced Professional Practice. Through this Master's programme you can complete modules such as Perinatal Mental Health or Critical Care in Midwifery. As well as completing your MSc, you may decide that you want to develop as a midwifery researcher, and so enrol on our PhD programme.

Career Development

Midwives learn to be an integral part of a healthcare team. Within this School, multidisciplinary teams of medical students, nursing and midwifery students work together during interprofessional learning scenarios. Final year midwifery students also lead on teaching fourth year medical students about pregnancy and birth.

Student Testimonials

Course Structure

Introduction

The course has been designed to meet local strategic drivers in maternity care, whilst meeting the requirements of the NMC Standards for midwifery education. Developed in partnership with multiple stakeholders including other healthcare professionals, service users, local voluntary and charitable organisations, the programme will enable our students to meet all the requirements for becoming a NMC registered midwife.

Over the three years of study, you will develop your knowledge, skills and attributes essential for high quality midwifery practice such as: woman/family-centered; clinically effective; competent and safe and evidence based and ethically sound practice. It will also provide you with the opportunity to care for women, their babies and families in their home, the hospital and community settings, under the supervision and guidance of lecturers and skilled midwives.

The course is modular and designed to provide you with all the knowledge and skills that you will need for women and newborns who require only universal care, through to those who need more complex, additional care.

Stage 1

You will be introduced to professional working alongside foundational knowledge and skills in relation to midwifery care. Through scenario-based simulation you will be supported to implement safe and effective woman centered care for all women and babies, in a safe learning environment.

Stage 2

You will deepen your knowledge of pregnancy and birth, and be challenged to learn more about when women and/or their babies require additional care. During this phase of your study, you will be challenged to work in small teams, learning how to manage care through team-based simulations.

Stage 3

Year 3 is when all your leaning comes together, and you are challenged as a key member of the interprofessional team to demonstrate how you provide safe and effective, women-centered care. For a senior student, leadership is a key focus as is human factors and how high performing maternity care teams work.

People teaching you

Programme Co-ordinator

Nursing and Midwifery
E: nursing@qub.ac.uk T: +44 (0)28 9097 2233 www.qub.ac.uk/nur

Contact Teaching Hours

Medium Group Teaching

18 (hours maximum)
As a BSC Midwifery student you should expect to spend 5 days per week in class during teaching time. When you are on placement you will likely work a 37.5 hour week, which will include night shifts, 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.

Learning and Teaching

On the BSc (Hons) Midwifery we aim to provide a high quality learning environment that challenges you to use your intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice while learning.

We do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable you to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip you for life and work in a global society; by making use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances your development as an independent, lifelong learner.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course are:

  • 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 through scenario-based simulations. All midwifery students participate in simulated emergency training and have opportunities to engage in interprofessional education (IPE).

  • Practice placements

    Students will undertake clinical placements regularly throughout the programme. This enhances the link of theory to practice in midwifery and provides you with a wide variety of opportunities and experiences in all fields of maternity care. This is an essential component of the programme, ensuring that you have sufficient opportunities to develop your skill and competence in care provision and decision making, so meeting the requirements for professional Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2019).

    As a midwifery student you should expect to travel to placement. Please note that it is a requirement that all students experience learning in an alternative clinical setting, while remaining supernumerary (NMC 2019). You should expect to experience working all shift patterns, as registered midwives do.

  • Self-directed study

    This is an essential component of your learning experience as a Queen’s student. You will be expected to engage in self-directed reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on your feedback to date and carrying out your own research ahead of classes and when completing assessments.

  • Seminars/tutorials

    Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 15-20 students). These provide an opportunity for you to engage with your peers and academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic. During these sessions you are encouraged, to ask questions and assess your own progress.

Assessment

Details of assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

  • The way in which you are assessed varies according to the learning objectives of each module. Modules are assessed through a variety of assessments that may include assignments, project work, presentations, examinations and team simulations. 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. You will also get lots of support from your module leads.

Feedback

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. The university really wants our student to engage with reflective practice; so using this approach to improve the quality of the care they provide. 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
    • Feedback from women you care for in the clinical area, that is uploaded into your clinical portfolio
    • Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to celebrate your success and set yourself goals for your ongoing development

Facilities

Our students have access to our cutting-edge simulation and clinical skills suite, where you can learn and practice skills and care management in a safe learning environment.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/Facilities/

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Overview

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

    Infant Feeding (10 credits)
    Safe Medicate 1 (0 credits)
  • Year 2

    Core Modules

  • Year 3

    Core Modules

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 the Mathematics module(s) 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.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Further information

1. Applicants who satisfy the academic requirements or will be able to do so by 31 August will be shortlisted for interview.

2. Interviews normally take place during March/April and shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview. More detail can be found on the School’s website.

3. Offers are made on the basis of ranked interview scores and 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.

How we choose our students

Download "How we choose our students" PDF

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in the Reading, Listening and Speaking components and 6.5 in Writing; or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

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

There are many career opportunities open to midwives, whether that is 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 perinatal mental health or midwifery leadership. Midwives who graduate from QUB are in demand, both regionally and nationally and so our post-graduation employment rate for newly qualified midwives remains high.

Degree Plus/Future Ready 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/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 * £0 / £7,800
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 * £0 / £7,800
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £20,800
International £20,800

* No fee for commissioned students / £7,800 for non-commissioned students

1EU 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.

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

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study 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.

Additional course costs

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

In Year 1 students must buy a uniform from a QUB-selected uniform supplier (approximate cost £190), and a name badge (approximate cost £10).

All students on this programme will undertake clinical placements, which can be anywhere in Northern Ireland. 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 for Department of Health NI funded students.

Students may wish to buy a Fob Watch (approximately £15) or Pinard Stethoscope (approximately £7); however, this is not a requirement.

Students who are not on a funded commissioned place from the Department of Health will 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 approximate cost for 2024-25 is £4,500 per year, costs for 2025-26 are still to be confirmed.

Please note that students on a commissioned place from the Department of Health NI cannot apply for loan funding from Student Finance NI.

To be eligible for a Department of Health NI commissioned (funded) place, students must normally be resident in Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland for at least 3 years before the start of the programme. More information is available in the Bursaries Booklet 2023-24 (for guidance only) available here:
https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/FileStore/Bursary%20Rate%20%20Information%20Booklet%202023-2024.pdf

Link to website with information: Undergraduate | School of Nursing and Midwifery | Queen's University Belfast (qub.ac.uk)

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

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/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How 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 2024 from early September 2023.

Advisory closing date: 31 January 2024 (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 UCAS
Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 31 January 2024 (18:00).

Applying through agents and partners
The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 31 January 2024 (18:00). 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

Download Undergraduate Prospectus