Midwifery (3 years)
BSc(Hons)
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Course summary and entry requirements
Course duration
Full-time: 3 years
UCAS code B720
Professional accreditation
Successful completion leads to eligibility for registration as a midwife on part 10 of the NMC single professional register.
About the course
This course prepares you for the unique role that midwives have working with women and their families. It reflects the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and the NHS for the preparation of contemporary autonomous practitioners.
You will be based at the Eastbourne campus, with clinical placements taking place at a range of locations across Sussex including Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton, Haywards Heath and Worthing. Your competence will be developed through a combination of theory and practical skills gained in classroom and clinical practice settings. You will gain experience in the core competencies required for midwifery at an early stage in the course. Your communication and interpersonal skills will be developed throughout.
Typical entry requirements
The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. Individual offers may vary
UCAS tariff:
ABB, to include at least two full A-levels. Excludes General Studies.International Baccalaureate:
diploma, specified subjects.QAA-approved access course:
acceptable; subject-specific units.GCSE (minimum grade C):
a strong profile including science, mathematics and English.For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7.0 overall, 6.5 in writing.Other:
A wide range of other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis, eg BTEC national diploma (in a health-related subject), Access courses (science- or health-related, at least 45 level 3 credits at distinction).An academic reference indicating potential to study at degree level and indicating the applicant is of good character, and a character reference, which may come from an employer if appropriate, or other appropriate person, indicating good communication skills, caring qualities and a positive attitude. If the applicant is mature, evidence of accredited academic study within the last five years usually accompanied by an academic reference.
Ability to meet travel requirements; commitment to midwifery; successful occupational health clearance; satisfactory enhanced CRB check; ability to follow a shift pattern covering 24-hour 7-day cycle; a personal statement indicating ability and desire to become a midwife.
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Course content
Course structure
The course is 3 year long (156 weeks). Each year is divided into three terms, which include shared and midwifery-specific modules. Clinical midwifery practice modules run throughout the programme allowing you to prepare for practice situations in controlled settings and to integrate theory and practice.
Areas of study
In the first year of the course you will be introduced to midwifery practice and its professional framework. The second year introduces you to the concepts of complex medical or obstetric needs and appropriate referral of either the mother or baby to other health professionals or agencies as required. The final year provides you with an opportunity to develop your midwifery skills, working closely with other healthcare professionals promoting professional autonomy, interprofessional dialogue and the use of evidence-based decision making.
Syllabus
Year 1
Developing Midwifery Practice
Introduction to the Art and Evidence of Midwifery Practice
Introduction into Midwifery
The Physiological Basis of Midwifery Assessment
The Human Body in Childbearing
Human Relationships in Midwifery PracticeYear 2
Developing Competent Midwifery Practice
Developing the Art and Evidence of Midwifery Practice
Altered Health in Childbearing
Midwifery Emergencies
Public Health for Nursing or Midwifery Practice
Appreciating the Research Process in MidwiferyYear 3
Developing Proficient Midwifery Practice
Valuing Individual Cultures OR International Midwifery Elective
Preparation for Autonomous Midwifery
Leadership
You can view the programme specification for this course as a PDF file by clicking on the link below:
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Fees and costs
Tuition fees for this course are paid by the NHS. Students meeting residency requirements are also eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary and a non-means-tested loan.
Further information can be found on the NHS student bursaries website http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students. Students will be eligible for an additional 1,000 GBP grant in each academic year of your course.
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Location
Location
Eastbourne Eastbourne is a thriving town which offers traditional seaside attractions, modern nightlife, good shopping and a wide range of sporting activities. It’s one of the sunniest places in the UK.
Our Eastbourne campus is located at the foot of the South Downs National Park, about ten minutes walk from the seafront and 20 minutes from the pier and Eastbourne town centre. Almost 3,000 students are based here.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Eastbourne
Eastbourne’s buzzing university community and compact town gives it a laid back and friendly feel. The town combines the traditional seaside attractions with modern nightlife, a wide range of sporting activities and an exciting arts scene.
Social scene
The student community in Eastbourne ensures it has a thriving social scene, with dedicated student nights at many of the town’s pubs and clubs. Eastbourne’s expanding nightlife includes trendy cocktail bars, laid-back country pubs and modern nightclubs.
Arts
The striking Towner contemporary art museum in Eastbourne features international exhibitions as well as a permanent art collection. Eastbourne's six theatres give you a chance to see West End musicals, touring shows, live music and comedy.
Sports
Eastbourne has long been the home of pre-Wimbledon tennis tournaments at Devonshire Park. Eastbourne also hosts an extreme sports festival and the Beachy Head Marathon that takes place across the South Downs National Park.
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Staff profiles
Thelma Lackey, Course leader, Midwifery BSc(Hons), 3 years
Midwifery is an exciting profession, bringing new challenges every day. The passion I possessed on my first day as student midwife 20 years ago has remained with me throughout my career. My career has encompassed working in a variety of settings in Scotland, England and the Middle East, before completing a masters in Midwifery Studies and Education. Now, as a course leader, I feel privileged that I am in a position to use my enthusiasm to continue to move the course forward for our students, the midwives of the future.
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Student views
Suzi Impett, Midwifery BSc(Hons), 3 years
I am just starting the final year of my course and have really enjoyed it so far. The biggest challenge for me has been the academic side but the support I’ve had from my personal tutor and my fellow students has been great and has really helped to give me confidence!
The aspect I have enjoyed most has been shadowing a qualified midwife in the community, working with women from the moment they book with the midwife through to when they give birth. When I qualify I would like to do some voluntary midwifery work abroad. After that I might go on to do a masters but to be honest more than anything I just want to deliver some babies and I’ll be happy with that!
Michelle Best, Midwifery BSc(Hons), 3 years
I’m glad I made the choice to enter the midwifery profession. I’m thoroughly in my element! My course is taught at level 3, which enables evidence-based practice to be analysed and debated.
The course structure is fantastic and the lecturers are really passionate. The local hospital placements are really positive – every midwife I have encountered loves their profession.
Mandy Lewis, Midwifery BSc(Hons), 3 years
This course is an exhilarating rollercoaster packed with new challenges and experiences.
Sometimes emotionally and intellectually challenging, but never boring, you will find the support you receive from your colleagues, tutors and mentors sets you in good stead to begin your new life as a midwife.
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Career opportunities
This course provides you with an excellent foundation for working in a range of contexts providing midwifery care and for further professional development in clinical practice, education and research. The award of BSc (Hons) Midwifery prepares you to access further academic study at Masters and Doctoral level.
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More...
Excellent Facilities
The School of Nursery and midwifery has an excellent reputation for teaching clinical skills with a dedicated clinical skills facility where students can practice skills in a safe and supervised environment. Courses are taught on the Eastbourne campus, and placements take place around a range of locations across Sussex including Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton, Haywards Heath and Worthing.
Eastbourne campus facilities include Queenwood library, computer pool rooms, a learning and technology suite, restaurants and a Students’ Union Shop. Welkin halls of residence provides accommodation for over 350 students.
Eastbourne is a lively seaside town, close to the sea and South Downs. Considered the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne is surrounded by beautiful countryside, making it a great place to study. Our campus is home to 3,000 students and located less than 10 minutes walk from the beach at the foot of the South Downs National Park. The town boasts four theatres, four shopping centres, a wide variety of restaurants, cafés, traditional pubs, bars and nightclubs, and is home to the Towner contemporary art museum for South East England. Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour, with its stylish cosmopolitan feel, is the largest composite marina complex in Northern Europe. The harbour offers an array of waterside eateries and alfresco dining, whilst the independent boutiques make the harbour a great alternative shopping venue.
There are also many sporting and cultural activities on offer, all within a short walking distance of our campus.
Other student support services include the university’s careers centre, welfare service, a counselling service, chaplaincy and childcare provision.
Students can also join the Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedic Society (NAMPS): our student society.
Practice Learning
Practice placements are integral to your course and students work under the supervision of a mentor, gaining experience in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. Students are given a named supervisor of midwives from their clinical trust and are encouraged to engage in dialogue with their nominated supervisor as part of their ongoing development.
It is intended that students will follow two women from booking to discharge postnatally to observe the childbirth experience from the women’s perspective. This will also give the student some insight into the concept of caseloading.
For your primary care experiences you will be allocated to placements in a variety of locations across East and West Sussex in health centres and community settings and may include experiences in the independent and voluntary sectors. This rich variety of settings gives you a comprehensive experience of contemporary health care. Midwifery students on community placements are deliberately placed away from their home in order to avoid contact with a patient who may be a friend of relative.
Students who opt for the international experience can do so with one of our 27 partner colleges throughout Europe and the USA for a two to four week stay. For three month Erasmus exchanges, placements are in Denmark, Sweden and Spain with free access to some language preparation.
Centre for Health Research
The centre for Health Research (CHR) responds to a broad health agenda through research that spans the continuum from the study of factors maintaining and promoting health and wellbeing, to helping health professionals deal effectively with illness, disease and recovery trajectories.
The CHR prides itself on its European and international research links and these, together with its close association with NHS researchers through the co-located NIHR Research Design Service South East provide a vibrant environment for researchers and students who want to carry out research that results in positive changes to policy and practice.
As part of its commitment to research-led practice and a research-informed curriculum, staff from the centre regularly act as external speakers, advisors and experts to national and international bodies, as well as providing lectures and seminars internally. In addition, the centre's monthly seminar series provides opportunity for staff and students to debate and critique progressive research and methodological positions.
NHS funded course with bursary
01273 644042
Email namadmissions@brighton.ac.uk
Meets Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)standards and NHS requirements for the preparation of contemporary practitioners.
On successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (midwife section).
A combination of theory and clinical practise enables students to acquire and develop the competencies required for contemporary midwifery practice, one of the few professions to offer so much in terms of job satisfaction and support, enhancing people’s lives during their times of need.
Visit our midwifery page for more information.
Visit the school that delivers this course
Related Courses
Midwifery BSc(Hons) 18 months - for registered nurses on part 1 of the NMC register.
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