Undergradute student studying in the George Green library, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Midwifery BSc

Medical School Building, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Be part of a supportive midwifery community where we’ll help you on your journey to becoming a competent, compassionate and caring midwife.   

You'll develop your knowledge, practical, interpersonal and leadership skills while working closely with women and their families - through all the stages of pregnancy, birth and beyond.   

Clinical placements will support you in developing your midwifery skills in practice. You'll follow a number of women's pregnancy journeys and provide continuity of care through your case-holding experience.   

You will be taught by our expert staff who have been recognised both locally and internationally for their teaching excellence. Our teaching is research-led and, as an established regional provider of midwifery education, we work in partnership with four diverse NHS Trusts. This offers you a wealth of different clinical learning experiences across the maternity services.  

Upon successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to register as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. 

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Foundations of Compassionate Midwifery

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Biology

Mandatory

Year 1

The Childbirth Continuum

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Biology Applied to Midwifery

Mandatory

Year 1

Care of the Neonate

Mandatory

Year 1

Introducing Midwifery Clinical Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

Complexity in the Childbirth Continuum

Mandatory

Year 2

Perinatal Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mandatory

Year 2

Understanding Midwifery Research

Mandatory

Year 2

Care of the Neonate with Additional Needs

Mandatory

Year 2

Developing Midwifery Clinical Practice

Mandatory

Year 2

The Midwife as a Public Health Practitioner

Mandatory

Year 3

The Social and Political Context of Midwifery Care

Mandatory

Year 3

The Midwife as a Scholar and Leader

Mandatory

Year 3

Applying Research Skills to Midwifery Practice

Mandatory

Year 3

Holistic Care of the Neonate

Mandatory

Year 3

Advancing Midwifery Clinical Practice

Optional

Year 3

Quality Improvement in Midwifery Practice

Optional

Year 3

Enhanced Care of the Sick Mother

Optional

Year 3

Leadership and Innovation in Midwifery

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Thursday 25 July 2024. Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

We offer a flexible and contemporary approach to your midwifery education. As well as classroom-based teaching, you will also benefit from timetabled independent learning sessions and online e-learning resources.Some of your in-person teaching will take place in lecture halls and seminar rooms on University Park Campus. Practical sessions are taught in the Clinical Skills Suite within our nearby Medical School. This is a simulated clinical environment where you can gain confidence and develop your practical skills before experiencing similar situations in real-life settings.

Teaching methods

  • Clinical skills sessions
  • eLearning
  • Lectures
  • Placements
  • Practical classes
  • Self-study
  • Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops

Assessment methods

  • Debates
  • Examinations
  • Formative assessments
  • Formative and Summative presentations
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Portfolio (written/digital)
  • Workplace-based assessment
  • Essay

You'll spend approximately 37.5 hours a week in theory and practice across a full-time academic year, comprising of 45 weeks.

The teaching contact time each week can vary depending on the module. During the theory phase, you may be in University for three 7.5-hour days per week and the other two days you will carry out independent study. Some weeks may include five days of teaching contact.

You will also complete a minimum of 2,300 hours of clinical supervised practice throughout your degree programme. During placement you can expect to be working full-time (approximately 37.5 hours), with some weekend and evening work also required.

Upon successfully completing the course, you will be eligible to register as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

After gaining experience as a registered midwife, graduates may move into specialist midwife roles (for instance, substance misuse, diabetes, teenage pregnancy), or go into education or research. In terms of career progression, there may be opportunities to work as a consultant midwife.

There are also opportunities for further study, such as our MSc Midwifery Studies, Maternal and Newborn Health.

Average starting salary and career progression

98.30% of undergraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £25,798.


HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Laboratory staff helping second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

Course data

Open Day June 2022