Postgraduate Open Evening 2023

Take the next step to your ideal career - join us for a Postgraduate Open Evening on Wednesday 31st May at UWS Paisley campus from 4pm-6pm. Meet academics, discover courses aimed at you, and get set for success!

Midwifery | midwife speaking to patient in hospital bed

Overview

This innovative and dynamic three-year midwifery programme will enable you to become a highly educated and skilled midwife with the potential for management, leadership, consultancy, educational and research roles.

You will be given opportunities to embrace new challenges that shape the future of maternity services for women, newborn infants and their families.

Applying to the MSc

You must apply through UCAS for this course as it is classed as an undergraduate Masters course - the UCAS code is B722 (see Apply section below for more details).

course highlights

This programme is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible for registration as a Registered Midwife with the NMC.
You will study at our new ultra-modern campus in Lanarkshire, which is equipped with the latest innovative and collaborative technologies.
This programme carries UNICEF’s UK Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation for ensuring midwifery students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to advise and support breastfeeding mothers.
The programme comprises 50% theory and 50% practice. Practice placements are available throughout, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, NHS Dumfries and Galloway, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, NHS Highland and NHS Lanarkshire.

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

The midwifery team are committed to encouraging and enabling elective practice placement experiences where opportunities arise in Part 2 of the programme. These may be local, national, or international placements, within the health sector or voluntary organisations. Students are encouraged to research and organise their elective placements with the oversight from a member of the midwifery team.

WATCH A ZOOM SESSION FROM THE PROGRAMME LEADER

Our Programme Leaders have recorded Zoom sessions to help you discover all there is to know about our courses. From professional accreditation to programme modules and career opportunities, our Programme Leaders will help answer all your questions. You can find them on our YouTube Channel or by clicking the link below.

Midwifery Programme Leader

More Information

Professional Approval and Accreditation

Our course is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You will be eligible for registration as a registered midwife with the NMC.

On completion of the programme students will be able to enter onto the NMC register and practice as a midwife

Placement Opportunities

The course comprises 50% practice and 50% theory. Practice placements are available throughout the following Health Boards:

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
NHS Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Lanarkshire
NHS Highland
NHS Dumfries and Galloway

There is at least once placement outwith the acute maternity sector in a community midwifery unit.

100%

Overall student satisfaction for UWS Midwifery students

(National Student Survey 2018)

93%

of UWS postgraduate students would recommend UWS to a friend (iGraduate Student Barometer 2017-18)

100%

of students in work/further study 6 months after graduating HESA performance indicator 2016/17

Entry Requirements

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate & Post-experience Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

Academic Requirements

You must:

possess an appropriate Ordinary bachelor's degree in health or science (other disciplines will be considered)
be able to provide an academic reference, as well as copies of your formal university transcript and award certificate

You should also demonstrate competency in literacy and numeracy*; In terms of Scottish qualifications, Maths* should be at least:

SQA National 5 (Grade C, or above) or
SQA Intermediate 2 (Grade C, or above) or
SQA Standard Grade (Credit) or

Alternative, equivalent qualifications wil be accepted.

* for Scottish applicants, SQA Life Skill Mathematics / Application of Mathematics are acceptable alternatives to SQA National 5 Maths, if they have been awarded at National 5 level.

IMPORTANT NOTE

An offer to study is also dependent on the outcome of the selection process and background checks:

personal interview
health screening
membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for most courses

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General IELTS Requirements

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

overall score 6.0
no sub-test less than 5.5

Exceptions to this level of IELTS scoring exist for some accredited or professionally-recognised courses (see IELTS Score Exceptions section below for more details).

IELTS Score Exceptions (Research degrees, Biomedical Science degrees, Nursing & Midwifery degrees with NMC registration, Paramedic Science and Social Work degrees, Certificate of Higher Education, etc.)

Research Degrees

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf) applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

overall score of 6.5
no sub-test less than 6.0

Health & Midwifery Awards

For all our Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to, or require professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.

For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows:

overall score of 7.0
score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and no less than 6.5 in writing

* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (Nursing & Midwifery Council, 2019).

Biomedical Degrees

For our BSc (Hons) Applied Biomedical Science, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science and MSc Advanced Biomedical Science degrees, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

overall score of 7.0
no sub-test less than 6.5

Paramedic Science

Our BSc Paramedic Science degree leads to professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC); it has different IELTS requirements than other Health-related courses. Although it is not possible to apply for this degree directly as an international student, for applicants who meet SAAS residency requirements and for whom English is not their first language, then the following IELTS scores are required:

overall score of 7.0
no sub-test less than 6.5

Social Work Degrees

Our BA (Hons) Social Work and MSc Social Work degrees are professionally-recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council; applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

overall score of 7.0
no sub-test less than 7.0

Certificate of Higher Education

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

overall score of 5.0
no sub-test less than 4.5

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 59 to 64 with no element below 59 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 65 to 75 with no element below 65 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)

TOEFL IBT

TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:

Reading: 17;
Listening: 17;
Speaking: 17;
Writing: 17

* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE)

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*

C6 or above in English

*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate. WAEC Certificates should not be older than 10 years at the time of making the application.

Pre-sessional courses

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

10 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
5 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with score of 4.0 in all elements (10 month course), or 4.5 with no score below 4.0 (7 month course).

Find out more about our English language courses.

Course details

Through a contemporary and innovative curriculum, we aim to prepare post-graduate midwifery practitioners who are fully accountable as the lead professional for the care and support of women, newborn infants, partners and their families, helping to ensure that care is responsive to emerging evidence and future developments.

You will advance evidence-based practice through critical evaluation of current research, advanced scholarship, innovative practice and originality of thought.

You will be working in partnership with women, enabling their views, preferences, and decisions, helping to strengthen their capabilities and you will effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary / multiagency teams to optimise outcomes.

To meet the needs of women, newborns and their families within our society, our programme reflects a dynamic student-centred approach to education. In preparation for autonomous practice within the maternity services with emphasis on active learning focussing on:

Leadership
Management
Education
Research-awareness
Professional reflection
Critical thinking and expert knowledge

Practice placements

Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 1: 18 weeks
Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 2: 20 weeks
Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 3: 24 weeks

Overall total number of practice placement weeks in programme: 62 weeks

Part 1 (Year 1)

In Part 1 you will receive specialist education in relation to life and social sciences, adaptation to pregnancy, health and public health issues and practical midwifery skills. Key public health issues including breastfeeding, smoking, alcohol, blood borne infections, maternal nutrition, drug addiction, gender-based violence and poverty will be explored in relation to their effect on childbirth. You will then be introduced to midwifery practice within the context of normal midwifery care during the pre-conceptual, prenatal, intranatal and postnatal periods including care of the newborn.

Modules are at SCQF Level 10

• Research and Professionalism 1 (30 credits)
• Analysis of Anatomy and Physiology (30 credits)
• Exploring Concepts of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Reflecting on Essential Midwifery Practice (40 credits)

Interim Awards Breakdown

• Graduate Certificate in Health Studies: successful completion of 60 credits at SCQF Level 10.
• Graduate Diploma in Health Studies: successful completion of 120 credits at SCQF Level 10.

NB: No interim awards carry professional recognition from the NMC.

Part 2 (Year 2)

The focus of Part 2 prepares you to assess, manage, support and care for women whose childbirth experience has been compromised due to complex medical, obstetric, psychological and/or social ill-health. This encompasses the underlying pathophysiology and the role of the midwife in addressing the complex physical, psychological, sociological, cultural and spiritual needs and implications in relation to pregnancy and birth outcome. There is continued development of professional, ethical and legal issues relating to compromised midwifery practice.

Modules are at SCQF Level 11

• Research and Professionalism 2 (30 credits)
• Appraising Complex Midwifery (30 credits)
• Critical Concepts of Perinatal Mental Health (20 credits)
• Analysis of Complex Clinical Practice (40 credits)

Interim Awards Breakdown

• Following successful completion of all Part 1 modules and 60 credits at SCQF Level 11 students may exit with a Post Graduate Certificate in Maternal Health (120 credits at SCQF Level 10 and 60 credits at SCQF Level 11)#.
• Following successful completion of all Part 1 and Part 2 modules, students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal Health (120 credits at SCQF Level 10 and 120 credits at SCQF Level 11).

NB: No interim awards carry professional recognition from the NMC.

Part 3 (Year 3)

The overall aim of Part 3 is to consolidate theory and practice learned in the preceding two parts and further enhance your knowledge and understanding of the professional role of the midwife. This will include autonomous decision-making, management/leadership strategies and critical thinking/analysis. MSc pre-registration students will be prepared to challenge existing practice, develop new ideas and work creatively and innovatively to advance practice.

You will undertake a Dissertation module comprising of a substantive project in the form of a Research Protocol that will enable you to demonstrate your expert knowledge of the research process by detailing a plan for an original research study where the topic area is chosen by yourself and should relate to midwifery practice.

Modules are at SCQF Level 11

• MSc Dissertation Project (60 credits)
• Meeting Family Needs and Global Perspectives (20 credits)
• Critical Skills for Registered Practice (40 credits)

Following successful completion of Parts 1, 2 and 3 students will exit the programme with the following qualification:
• MSc Midwifery with Registration - Academic Degree Qualification (120 credits at SCQF at Level 10 and 240 credits at SCQF Level 11).
• Registered Midwife – Students will have 5 years to apply to register with the NMC. In the event they fail to register within 5 years, they will have to undertake additional education and training.

Practice-based Learning Placements

Practice-based learning is integral to the content and credibility of the pre-registration post-graduate MSc Midwifery with Registration programme and is achieved through the 50% practice placement component. Students must achieve specified clinical proficiencies in each part before progression into the next part of the programme.

Students are assessed using the Midwifery Practice Assessment Document (MPAD) Scotland. The purpose of the MPAD is to provide a systematic record of students practice learning progress and achievement of proficiencies and skills throughout each practice placement.

Our practice partners are located in the following Health Boards:
• NHS Ayrshire & Arran
• NHS Dumfries & Galloway
• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• NHS Highland
• NHS Lanarkshire

Within any of these health board areas, you are normally expected to work a 37.5 hour week and work the shift pattern in line with your Practise Supervisors and Practice Assessors. You may work either 8 hour or 12 hour shifts according to the placement. You will experience 24 hour/7 day care, enabling you to develop an understanding of the needs and experiences of women, newborn infants and their families throughout as 24-hour period. There is at least one practice placement outwith the acute maternity sector, in a rural midwifery setting.

Teaching and Assessment

Delivery of our taught MSc pre-registration programme will include teaching at a more advanced scholarship level. You will be taught through a combination of lectures and practical workshops in a simulated environment. Your experience will also be deepened and broadened using additional tutorials and seminars, which will include a wider perspective on issues such as:

• Management
• Leadership
• Clinical governance
• Education
• Supervision innovation and the development of new insights

In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate advanced research awareness throughout the programme and will complete an element of personal research/project work involving the development of new ideas/knowledge.

Learning and Teaching
• Scheduled learning
• Independent study
• Practice Placement

Assessment
• Written and online class tests
• Oral presentations
• Written reports
• Coursework
• Academic posters
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Course Structure

Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

MSc Midwifery Course Structure

Career Prospects

Students achieving the minimum threshold award of MSc Midwifery with Registration will be eligible to apply for NMC registration. Graduates are highly sought after nationally and internationally with currently 100% students gaining employment as a Registered Midwife within three months of graduation. The midwifery team work in partnership with students, utilising modern hybrid pedagogical approaches to deliver world-ready graduates who will design, shape and build a new future.

Following graduation, there are a variety of career pathways / opportunities available locally, nationally and internationally:

Midwifery practice in an acute setting
Midwifery practice in a community setting
Independent midwifery practice
Midwifery within the armed forces
Voluntary service
Public health / Sexual health
Management and leadership midwifery roles
Project management and leadership
Consultant Midwife
Education
Research
Post-doctoral studies

Further Study

Upon completion, you will be equipped to consider postdoctoral studies, project management and leadership, postgraduate teaching and learning, and specialist consultant clinical midwifery roles.

DON'T TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT

“Throughout my three years on the MSc Midwifery programme, I have been taught by knowledgeable and insightful lecturers who encourage their students to always question and look for the latest new evidence-based research to inform practice. This programme has equipped me with the skills and confidence needed for a newly qualified practitioner. It has also provided opportunities to develop research skills and open avenues for future studies.”

Laura Paterson, MSc Midwifery with-registration graduate

Postgraduate Tuition Fees (Academic Session 2022/23)

Academic Session 2022/23 Postgraduate Tuition Fees - Full-time

Scottish

£1,820 Cost per year of study (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)

Rest of UK (English, Northern Irish, Welsh)

£9,250 Cost per year of study

Republic of Ireland

£9,250 Cost per year of study

International (including EU)

£17,250 Cost per year of study

Check Your Tuition Fee Status

Postgraduate Tuition Fees (Academic Session 2023/24)

Postgraduate Tuition Fees - Full-time

Scottish

£1,820 Cost of study per year (paid by the Scottish Government via SAAS*)

Rest of UK (English, Northern Irish, Welsh)

£9,250 Cost of study per year

Republic of Ireland

£9,250 Cost of study per year

International (including EU)

£18,000 Cost of study per year

Check Your Tuition Fee Status

Additional Costs & Sources of Funding

The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.

In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.

Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:

statutory government loans to pay for tuition fees
scholarships for Scottish, EU and International (non-EU) students
bursaries to help towards living expenses

The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.

You can also find additional information in our Postgraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.

Additional Costs

Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.

For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.

Please contact the course leader for details of the additional costs associated with this course.

Midwifery - Additional Costs

Uniforms & Placements

Student Nurse Uniforms are provided.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme Registration

Successful applicants who gain a place on this course will need to register on the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. You will need to maintain your membership throughout the duration of your studies.

The fee for joining the scheme is £59.

Visit the Disclosure Scotland website for more information on the PVG scheme.

Tuition Fees & Living Cost Support

Tuition Fees & Additional Costs

Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.

Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as a postgraduate student.

Funding for Scottish Students

Scottish students studying at postgraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.

Find out more.

Funding for English, Welsh & Norther Irish Students

English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at postgraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.

Find out more.

Funding for EU Students

EU students studying at postgraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.

Find our more.

Funding for International Students

There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at postgraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.

Find out more.

Other Financial Support

Discretionary & Childcare Funds

UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.

Find out more.

Benefits & Tax Credits

Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.

Find out more.

Additional Financial Support

If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.

Find out more.

WEST Scholarship Programme

At UWS, we believe financial restrictions should never be a barrier to your education.

The WEST (Widening Education and Supporting Talent) Scholarship Programme aims to remove the financial barriers that stop talented students from progressing throughout their degree to graduation.

Find out more.

Money & Debt Advice

Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.

Find out more.

Applying for the MSc

To apply for this MSc you must apply through UCAS. This conversion MSc is classified as an undergraduate course for the purposes of application/admissions even though you must have at least a Bachelors/undergraduate degree to apply. See below for more details on how to apply including the UCAS code for ths degree.

How to apply

All applicants

All UK, EU and International (non-EU/non-EEA) applicants for this programme should apply through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

The on-time application deadline for 2023/24 entry is 25 January 2023, 18:00 (UK time). For some courses it may still be possible to apply beyond this period, subject to suitable vacancies remaining. The final deadline for late applications via UCAS is 30 June 2023, 18:00 (UK time). Beyond this deadline, you may be able to apply via 'UCAS Clearing' if the course you are interested in has remaining places.

UCAS codes for Nursing & Midwifery Master's:

MSc Adult Nursing (BR40)
MSc Mental Health Nursing (BR60)
MSc Midwifery (B722)

Please refer to our Undergraduate Application Guide to find more information on when and how to apply to study at UWS.

Apply on UCAS

An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.

Get in touch

Do you have a question about applying for this course? Get in touch. We are here to help!

Open Days

31 May