Midwifery (BSc)

You’ll take a number of core modules each year, and they must all be passed in order to complete your midwife training. Around half of your time will be spent learning on campus. For the rest of the time you’ll be on practice placements in various clinical settings.

Placements

You’ll spend 2,300 hours in clinical placements over the course of the 3 years. Most of your placements will be with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, mainly at the Princess Anne Hospital. You'll also work within the community and be expected to accompany community midwives visiting women at home.

The Princess Anne Hospital has been rated one of the best hospitals in the world for maternity care (Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2019).

You’ll work the normal shift patterns of the organisation you’re sent to. For example, if the supervising midwife is working weekends and nights on 12-hour shifts, you’ll do the same.

Learn more about clinical placements.

Year 1 overview

This year you’ll do 3 clinical placements, so from the start you’ll be in contact with women and their families and learn in real-world settings.

You’ll also:

• build a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology

• learn about the biological, psychological and sociological processes of pregnancy and birth

• understand the anatomy and physiology of the breast and lactation

• begin to look at medicines and their management

• explore the social and public health role of the midwife

Year 2 overview

This year you’ll do another 3 clinical placements. You’ll also choose a unit of study that you feel develops your professional practice. This may include a short observational visit abroad to see maternity care in a different country, working with a woman-centred organisation in the UK, or gaining new knowledge or skills that you can use in midwifery practice.

In your core modules you’ll:

• complete a research assignment on a midwifery topic of your choice, looking at the importance of evidence to inform practice 

• develop the skills to deal with obstetric and neonatal emergencies

• learn how to identify and manage pregnancy and labour for women with complex health needs

Year 3 overview

The third year is about getting ready for professional practice. You’ll do another 3 clinical placements. These will include experience of managing your own small caseload.

You’ll also:

• do a research-based assignment on a midwifery topic of your choice

• explore the wider context of professional practice, looking at ethics, governance, leadership and innovation

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

The learning activities for this course include the following:

• lectures
• classes and tutorials
• coursework
• individual and group projects
• independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Ellen Kitson-Reynolds is the course leader.

This course is approved as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as a registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The NHS is the UK’s largest employer of midwives, and many of our graduates work in NHS hospitals. You could also work as a community midwife, or be based in a local clinic, children’s centre or GP practice.

As your knowledge and experience increase, you could become a consultant midwife. Alternatively, you may choose to focus on research, as there are fast-track opportunities for high-achievers to enrol in our doctoral programmes.

More information about careers in midwifery can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes

• CV and interview skills and workshops

• networking events

• careers fairs attended by top employers

• a wealth of volunteering opportunities

• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK/EU students pay £9,250.
• This course is not available to International students.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

Your tuition fees do not cover:

• suitable shoes for your practice placements

• your own fob watch

• your enhanced DBS certificate 

• your professional registration fee (on graduation)

On your placements you can claim travel and accommodation expenses over and above your normal daily travel costs to university. But there are limits on what you can claim. Learn more about placement costs and expenses. 

There will also be other costs not covered by the tuition fee. These may include:

• stationery

• personal computer or laptop and data storage devices

• printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.

Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

When you apply use:

• UCAS course code: B720
• UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2020 entry now

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• predicted grades
• academic achievements
• personal statement
• academic reference

We will also consider how your personal values are aligned with the profession.

Some candidates will be invited to a selection day, which will include an interview. If the admissions tutor decides to invite you to a selection day you’ll receive an email. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

We aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

If you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course please contact our enquiries team; we're very happy to help.