Program Overview

BSc (Hons) - Midwifery (Degree Apprenticeship)

Course Overview

The BSc (Hons) Midwifery Apprenticeship is ideal for healthcare assistants or maternity support workers who would like to train to be a midwife. Our primary goal is to see learners become competent and compassionate registered midwives, with a sound and current knowledge of issues affecting maternity care.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK
• Course Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street, Lancaster
• Institute: Institute of Health
• Delivery Style: 50% clinical environment during clinical placements, 50% theoretical, delivered on our Carlisle campus, with some learning online
• Course Duration: Full-time: 3 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: BSc (Hons)

What Our Students Say

• "Advocating for and supporting women through one of the most important milestones in their lives is such an honour. I love being part of the pregnancy journey, alongside women and their families, being able to make a positive impact as a student midwife." - Abbie Stainton, Midwifery
• "My life is completely changed through retraining. I am studying for a career that I love and that feels right for me. I am very proud of what the university has enabled me to achieve. For me, the University of Cumbria is the place to study if you want to study at an up-and-coming, supportive university." - Chantel Cumpsty

Course Structure

What You Will Learn

The aim of the programme is to develop you into a critical-thinking and effective practitioner with the skills, knowledge, and understanding to become a graduate midwife, registered with the NMC. The programme equips you with the required Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours required to meet the Midwifery Degree Apprentice Occupational Standard.

Year One

• Midwifery Practice 1: Develop fundamental midwifery skills, professionalism, and knowledge. This module incorporates clinical placement learning.
• The Midwife as Scholar 1: Gain an understanding of the academic skills required to support evidence-based practice and continuous professional development.
• The Midwife as Professional 1: Develop professional knowledge in relation to legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks, and to understand effective communication and wellbeing strategies.
• Universal Care 1: Explore principles of universal care for all the birthing parent, newborns, and families, and the underpinning anatomy and physiology related to the childbearing continuum.
• Additional Care 1: Develop an understanding of pre-existing physical and mental health conditions and situations experienced by the birthing parent, and conditions and complications arising in pregnancy, childbirth, and the post-partum period.

Year Two

• Midwifery Practice 2: Building on, and applying, midwifery skills, knowledge, and professionalism.
• The Midwife as Scholar 2: Analyse a variety of research and relate it to midwifery practice, to provide evidence-based care for birthing parents, newborns, and their families.
• The Midwife as Professional 2: Focusing on midwifery knowledge and skills in advocacy, leadership, accountability, and collaboration, working towards autonomous professional.
• Universal Care 2: Apply knowledge in relation to the principles of universal care for all birthing parents, newborns, and families.
• Additional Care 2: Develop and analyse skills and knowledge required to manage childbirth emergencies, including situational awareness and advanced communication.

Year Three

• Midwifery Practice 3: Mandatory core skills training for year three, including basic life support, personal safety, and manual handling.
• The Midwife as Scholar 3 - Dissertation: This is a research proposal and indicative content includes learning on literature reviews, research design, methodology, rigour in research, evaluation, and dissemination of results. Students are supported by a dissertation supervisor and can choose their own topic in relation to midwifery practice.
• Physical Assessment and Management of the Newborn: Explore the effects of pregnancy complications on fetal development and newborn well-being.

Teaching & Assessment

How You Will Learn

Fifty percent of the programme time is taken up with theoretical elements, which include tutor-led classroom learning and online learning via the Virtual Learning Environment (Blackboard). Fifty percent of the time is spent in clinical placements, in the Employer Partner Trust.

How You Will Be Assessed

There is a range of assessment methods on the programme to facilitate different learning styles and skills, and to represent the skills required of a qualified midwife. Methods include written assignments, exams, professional discussion, presentation, and OSCE.

Entry Requirements

• GCSE in English Language, Mathematics, and Biology (or Combined Science) at grade C or above.
• Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English will also be accepted.
• 120 - 128 UCAS tariff points.

Qualifications

• A-levels: A minimum of three A-levels - to include Biology or PE at grade B (40 points).
• Alternative routes: If you don't think you'll meet the criteria for direct application to this course, you could potentially undertake BSc Hons Adult Nursing and then move onto the MSc in Midwifery if a 2:1 or above classification is achieved.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• 2025 - 2026: Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year.

Funding

• Degree apprenticeships are only offered to students undertaking the course as part of their employment.
• The apprenticeship training is therefore funded by the employer using their apprenticeship levy, with or without a contribution depending on the size and status of the organisation.
• Apprentices will not be required to pay any fees and will not be eligible for Student Finance England maintenance support as they are in receipt of a salary.

Locations

• Carlisle - Fusehill Street Campus
• Lancaster Campus

Additional Costs

• There will be some additional costs. For example, all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some textbooks. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees, etc. although such features are usually options within the course.