Program Overview

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Midwifery

MSc/PGDip/PGCert

Attendance

Full-timePart-time

Location

Online learningPreston Campus

Start

September 2025January 2026May 2026

Duration

2 years

Start

September 2025

Delivery

In-person

If you’re a practising midwife our MSc/PGDip/PGCert Midwifery puts you at the cutting-edge of thinking, research and practice to benefit your career. It’ll also help you meet new challenges and opportunities as a practitioner, partner and leader delivering and shaping future maternity services.

Why study with us

• Depending on the modules you select, you may be able to study this course entirely online.
• Modules within this course can be studied as standalone CPD courses, and built upon to gain either a PGCert, PGDip or full master's degree.
• Our midwifery and health visiting degree programmes have the prestigious UNICEF Baby Friendly Gold Award (2021 & 2023) which meet the sustainability standards.

Important information

• You can also study this course online.

What you'll do

• We teach the course via e-learning using a range of multimedia teaching materials and live interactive sessions.
• Reflections and peer study, including with those from around the world, is a valuable part of the course which is delivered in English.
• There are stepping off points at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, and master’s degree levels.

Pathways

This programme offers flexible study routes, allowing you to work towards a postgraduate certificate (PGCert), postgraduate diploma (PGDip) or a full master’s degree (MSc).

PGCert – awarded after successfully completing 60 credits

PGDip – awarded after successfully completing 120 credits

MSc – awarded after successfully completing 180 credits

For each qualification, you'll need to complete a set number of compulsory modules. You may also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules depending on your interests and the structure of the programme.

You can choose to complete the full master’s qualification or complete a PGCert or PGDip, depending on your goals and circumstances.

Modules

You will study at least three compulsory modules and build the rest of your course by choosing from the list of optional modules. The modules are also available as standalone courses which can be studied alone or built upon to gain a PGCert, PGDip or MSc award.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Organisational Leadership and Management
  • Module code: MW4036
• Spontaneous Labour and Birth; evidence and debate
  • Module code: MW4057
• Dissertation
  • Module code: NU4008
• Introduction to Postgraduate Research
  • Module code: NU4025
• Dissertation
  • Module code: NU4053

Optional modules

• Maternal and Child Health: Culture and Society
  • Module code: MW4035
• Enhancing Critical Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth
  • Module code: MW4041
• Advocating and Educating for Quality Improvement (AEQUIP) through effective leadership
  • Module code: MW4054
• Innovative approaches to midwifery education
  • Module code: MW4056
• Examination of the Newborn (2)
  • Module code: PW4003
• Safeguarding Children in an International Context
  • Module code: SW4035

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold at least a 2:2 degree in health related area
• Applicants with a core or equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas Higher Education Institution
• UK applicants must be a qualified midwife registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in the UK and have no restrictions on their professional practice
• A detailed admissions procedure will be forwarded on application
• Demonstrate evidence of successful academic study at a minimum of Level 6 or equivalent and is normally within the last 3 years
• 2 references required
• Overseas applicants must demonstrate evidence of their qualification or registration as a midwife and hold a current midwifery licence to practice in their own country
• IELTS: Score of at least 7.0 or equivalent within the last 2 years

Fees and funding

2024/25

• UK:
  • Full-time: £9,000 per year
  • Online full-time: £9,000 per year
  • Part-time: £1,000 per 20 credits
  • Online part-time: £1,000 per 20 credits
• International:
  • Full-time: £16,900 per year
  • Online full-time: £9,000 per year
  • Online part-time: £1,000 per 20 credits

2025/26

• UK:
  • Full-time: £9,450 per year
  • Online full-time: £9,450 per year
  • Part-time: £1,050 per 20 credits
  • Online part-time: £1,050 per 20 credits
• International:
  • Full-time: £17,900 per year
  • Online full-time: £9,450 per year
  • Online part-time: £1,050 per 20 credits

Scholarships and bursaries

• NHS Learning Support Fund
• Alumni Loyalty Discount

Learning and assessment

• Written assignments
• Reflective tasks
• Case presentations
• Portfolios
• Peer observation
• OSCEs
• Viva’s
• Clinical assessments
• Project/grant applications
• Dissertation

Further information

• All tutors are qualified to teach and many of the academic staff teaching on this course are qualified nurses and or midwives. Some also contribute to the pre and post registration midwifery curriculum. The course team have a wide range of expertise and skills within midwifery, sexual health and neonatal practice. The team keep up-to-date with evidence-based practice and utilise research based evidence to inform teaching.
• As part of the course you will have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients and public members via our community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).