Midwifery (3 year) BSc (Hons)

The main focus of the course is the promotion of normality, i.e. the framing of childbirth as a normal physiological process which the majority of women will undergo in their lifetime. The course also acknowledges that a number of women have more complex needs where technological help will be needed.

You are expected to achieve the theoretical and practice standards stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to enable you to perform the 'Activities of a Midwife' (NMC 2004) within the context of promoting normality, using preventative measures, detecting complications, accessing appropriate assistance and carrying out emergency measures in the absence of medical aid.

Methods of assessment for course overall: 62% coursework.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Introduction to life sciences
  This module introduces the functioning of the human body. It focuses on macro-systems, considering structure and function of all systems at a preliminary level to equip nursing/midwifery students with necessary underpinning knowledge to inform first year nursing/midwifery practice. You will be introduced to essential concepts such as organisation of the body, homeostasis, anatomy and physiology. Emphasis at this stage is on breadth of knowledge. You are supported in your learning with extensive use of tools such as e-learning, workbooks and key lectures. 
• Foundation skills in midwifery
  The module introduces the core skills in preparation for entering the practice learning environment. Core clinical skills, professional behaviour and effective communication skills will be developed to underpin safe midwifery practice. Using safe, simulated environments, blended learning and independent learning opportunities, you will be supported to integrate knowledge, practical ability and professional attitudes in promoting quality midwifery care. 
• Introduction to psycho-social perspectives of childbearing and childbirth
  This module introduces sociological and psychological theories as a foundation for understanding people's behaviour and experiences, within the context of normal pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. Antonovsky's salutogenic model will be introduced and developed as a model for understanding maternal health and well-being. The emerging public health role of the midwife is introduced. As a public health topic, an introduction to the importance of breastfeeding is examined. 
• Understanding the art and science of midwifery
  This module develops an applied understanding of the anatomy and physiology relevant to the pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. This module prepares you for the role of the midwife throughout pre-conception, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. 
• Practice-based assessment 1
  This is a work-based learning module where students will be given academic credit for clinical practice and the safe and successful achievement of NMC midwifery proficiencies in practice. This will be supervised and facilitated by the clinical sign off mentor and personal tutor. You are required to present two reflective accounts, one formative and one summative, demonstrating how care was delivered safely and appropriately within the context of the theoretical modules studied. 
• Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding
  This is a work-based/practice module gives credit for clinical practice. The module will enable you to critique the many facets that impact upon successful breastfeeding. The module supports the principles and practice standards of the Baby Friendly Initiative. You are expected to gain knowledge, skills and understanding required to support parents who wish to breastfeed and to consider how the wider social and cultural context impacts upon this choice. 

Year 2

• Midwifery care of the compromised neonate
  This module prepares you for your role in supporting women, their partners and families when complications arise in the fetus and neonate. Developmental and nutritional needs of the neonate will be explored. Provision of midwifery care will include skills required for supporting transitional care, special and high dependency care of the compromised neonate. Application of best available evidence to practice will be reinforced to enhance provision of care. 
• Midwifery pharmacology and medicine management
  This module will develop the principles of pharmacology. It will explore a variety of legal, professional and ethical issues relating to midwives and medicines management.
• Practice-based assessment 2
  This is a work-based module focusing upon women-centred care, client management and autonomous thinking. You will demonstrate the application of management concepts and skills. You will explore a variety of issues covering any aspect of midwifery care. The module will focus on the empowerment of women through evidence based practice including the promotion of normality, infant feeding focusing on breast feeding, professional, legal and ethical issues. You will be encouraged to develop your own skills in managing individual cases/caseloads under the direction of a clinical sign off mentor supported by the lecturer practitioner. 
• Public health role of the midwife
  This module will support the consolidation of knowledge, skills and attitudes required for contemporary midwifery practice. It will further enhance the development of skills to promote and protect health and well-being in individuals, communities and populations. You will develop an informed understanding of the public health role of the midwife. 
• Research methods and use of evidence
  This module will introduce you to the diverse and innovative approaches to research methodologies through which you will gain knowledge and understanding of the central place of research in nursing/midwifery practice. The module will equip you with the knowledge to draw on research and research methodologies in order to locate, review and evaluate research findings to enhance evidence- based practice across all fields of nursing. The module content has been systematically designed to enable you develop analytical skills to further deepen your knowledge and improve your practice. Delivery of the module will combine classroom sessions with group seminar activities and electronic activities on blackboard. 
• A framework to support transparency in practice
  This module utilises the supportive framework of statutory supervision, clinical governance and law and ethics in order promote transparency in clinical practice, thereby protecting the public. Statutory supervision of midwives, clinical governance issues and key related issues such as the place of practice protocols, NICE guidelines, NMC and NHS Trust guidelines, records, record keeping will be examined. The three themes of personal, academic and professional development are nurtured through the exploration of current debates regarding practice. You are encouraged to critique the literature and promote evidence based practice. 

Year 3

• Leadership, managing and empowering in midwifery
  This module provides the theoretical underpinnings of leadership and management within a midwifery context. This enables you to recognise the importance of leadership and management in the planning and provision of care within maternity services. You will be supported to apply professional, ethical and legal aspects of care in the empowerment of staff and clients/mothers/families. The provision of midwifery care using case load models will be evaluated. 
• Clinical emergency management in maternity care
  This module will focus on selected problems which are classified as acute obstetric emergencies. Situations which challenge Antonovsky's theories of childbirth as a physiologically normal event will be explored. This module will review the evidence base and models of care in response to maternal critical care needs. 
• Independent study
  The module provides a learning environment in which you are empowered to reflect on knowledge and competences for safe and effective practice, critically review clinical practice through enquiry based learning. This will take the form of a systematic literature review of three articles on a specific area of maternity health care practice chosen by you and justified in your rationale.
• Practice-based assessment 3
  This is a work-based module focusing upon women-centred care and client individual/group management. You will demonstrate the application of management concepts and skills in an autonomous manner. You should explore a variety of issues covering any aspect of midwifery care. The module will focus on the empowerment of women through evidence based practice and will include priorities of care, the promotion of normality, infant feeding particularly breast feeding, professional, legal and ethical issues. You will be encouraged to develop your own skills in managing individual cases/caseloads and liaising with the multi-professional team under the direction of a clinical mentor and the lecturer practitioner. 
• Complex needs in childbirth
  This module will develop the ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care for women with complex needs. The module provides an in-depth understanding of the range of complex factors which can potentially affect the health and well-being of the mother during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period. 
• Normal midwifery practice
  This module has been designed to explore the: physical, psychological, cultural and socio-economic factors that influence normality in midwifery, from the perspective of: the woman, the midwife, the organisation, the political agenda, policy and professional guidance. The module provides a consolidation and reflection on the role of the midwife in providing normal midwifery care.

Midwifery as a career

Many graduates take their first posts as qualified practitioners in the NHS Trusts and hospitals where they gained experience during their training. The degree enhances employability through its emphasis on a vocational approach to teaching, leading to a professional qualification and registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The majority of roles are in the NHS, although there are opportunities at private hospitals, clinics and abroad. Day-to-day the work can be varied, as midwives have a range of responsibilities. Providing advice to women and their families; diagnosing, monitoring and examining women during pregnancy and co-ordinating with other professionals and agencies are all typical activities. There are also opportunities to enter education such as; practice development midwife, midwifery lecturer or lecturer-practitioner, research and management.

Recent graduates have become specialist midwives in teenage pregnancy, HIV, and smoking cessation counselling, whilst others have gone on to work in children's centres or become consultant midwives.

Interpersonal skills and salary

Being able to keep a calm head under pressure is essential, as are excellent people skills and good physical and mental stamina. Due to the nature of the work, many midwives do shift work around the clock, including weekends and bank holidays. Salaries in the NHS start around £21,000 – with experienced midwives earning up to £34,500 and midwifery consultants earning up to £67,000 (National Careers Service).

Professional Development

As a graduate from this course, you will be able to apply for further study at postgraduate level. LSBU runs a part-time MSc Midwifery and Excellence in Practice which is suitable for graduates with a minimum of one year professional practice experience. Find out more about this course through our online CPPD prospectus.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

The programme has been jointly validated by LSBU and the NMC. On completion of the course, you are eligible to be placed on the NMC professional register.

The Nursing and Midwifery Council regulates nurses and midwives in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands.

Placements

During the course you will spend 50% of your time involved in academic study and 50% in clinical practice within a broad variety of healthcare settings. A clinical practice placement allows you to put theory into practice by working with a range of health professionals in clinical situations to develop the skills, knowledge and experience required to become a competent midwife.  Although sometimes initially challenging, practice learning is one of the most interesting and exciting aspects of learning to be a midwife.

Clinical settings

You'll experience a variety of clinical settings, such as NHS acute Trusts, community placements, independent sector and voluntary sector organisations.

We are proud to partner with:

• University College London Hospitals
• Queen's Hospital
• Whipps Cross Hospital
• King George Hospital
• Royal London Hospital
• Newham General Hospital

Support from a mentor

Whilst in the clinical placement we ensure our midwifery students receive continuous support and guidance from a dedicated mentor and practice learning teams made up of lecturers and practitioners.

• 

  Real-time Labour Ward

  Our Real-time Labour Ward provides an environment that is realistic but safe, allowing midwifery students to gradually become confident in their skills.

• 

  Nursing skills labs

  Our realistic wards and lifelike mannequins allow students, NHS trusts and businesses to practice skills in a safe environment supported by experts.

• 

  SimMan

  The School of Health and Social Care uses a variety of mannequins to help students learn clinical skills in a simulated care environment in laboratories.

Personal tutoring

As a Health and Social Care student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University. They should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor at least once a semester for 45-60 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or phone.

Please make sure you have the required GCSE qualifications before applying for this course.

• A Level BBB and 5 GCSEs A*-C including Maths, English and Science or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above); or;
• BTEC National Diploma DDM and GCSEs Maths, English and Science A*-C (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) or equivalent; or;
• Access to HE qualifications with 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits and GCSEs Maths, English and Science A*-C (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) or equivalent; or;
• NVQ Level 3 in Care with at least one year of relevant work experience and GCSEs Maths, English and Science A*-C (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) or equivalent; or;
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 122 UCAS points and GCSEs Maths, English and Science A*-C (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above) or equivalent.

Foundation Year

Been out of study for a long time? Or maybe you haven’t met the entry requirements of your chosen degree? Our entry year acts as a bridge to degree-level studies.

English language

If your first language is not English you must have the following minimum International English Language Test Score (IELTS) results at the time of applying:

• 7.0 overall or equivalent
• 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
• 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections.

International students

International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

2019 entry

Please send your application through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using our institution code L75. UCAS is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

Remember that you need your GCSE Science, Maths and English qualifications before you apply.

See our How to apply page for further details.

Personal statement

Equal consideration will be give to applicants who apply by the 15th January 2019 UCAS deadline.

Download our Personal Statement Guide (PDF File 160 KB) for your UCAS application.

Interview

As part of the selection process you'll be expected to attend an Multiple Mini Interview (MMI).

If you're unsuccessful at interview, we'll let you know within 2-3 working days.

As our Midwifery course is particularly popular, if you pass the minimum score at interview you'll be notified of the final decision via UCAS Track by 15th March 2019.

Find out more about the interview process and how to prepare.

International applicants

If you’re an International student (non-EU national) the application process may involve further steps. Contact the International Office as soon as possible to discuss the admissions steps and the immigration requirements: internat@lsbu.ac.uk or +44 (0) 20 7815 6189.

Results

If you are unsuccessful in your application to LSBU for this year you cannot apply through UCAS Extra or Clearing. However you can apply for the following year.  It is important that you read the comments in the results statement so that you are prepared for any other interviews you may have.

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 177 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

• 

  Real-time Labour Ward

  Our Real-time Labour Ward provides an environment that is realistic but safe, allowing midwifery students to gradually become confident in their skills.

• 

  Maria Yunusa, alumna, BSc Midwifery graduate

  Maria Yunusa feels the support she received during her time at LSBU helped her to start the career she always wanted.

• 

  Lisa Cecere, BSc (Hons) Midwifery

  Lisa Cecere is currently in her second year of the three year BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree here at LSBU.

• 

  Nursing skills labs

  Our realistic wards and lifelike mannequins allow students, NHS trusts and businesses to practice skills in a safe environment supported by experts.

• 

  SimMan

  The School of Health and Social Care uses a variety of mannequins to help students learn clinical skills in a simulated care environment in laboratories.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

All pre-registration students need to be DBS cleared before going on placement. You’ll need to have an enhanced DBS check even if you have had one before and will not be able to go on placement until this is complete.

The DBS process is not difficult but can take some time so it's best to get started as soon as you receive your email.

DBS update service

If you're part of the DBS update service, your subscription is up to date and you already have a DBS certificate, please email a copy to hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk and then bring in your hard copy for the document check. To take advantage of the update service, your certificate needs to be classified as 'Enhanced' and workforce must be listed as 'Adult and Child'. If you have any queries, please email us at hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.

How to complete your DBS

Our DBS supplier, Verifile, will send you an email with all the details you need to complete your DBS.

Verifile will give you instructions to log into their system and complete your personal details and information. To complete the process, you'll need your passport or driving licence and 5-year address history including dates when you moved in/out.

You can use your application number to track the progress of your DBS.

When you've finished, your Disclosure Statement will be mailed to the most recent address in your submission, so please make sure it's correct. We don't automatically receive a copy of this Statement, which is why we need you to bring it in as part of the next step.

Frequently asked questions

Document check

Once you have completed the online part of the DBS process, you'll need to bring your DSB Statement along with three accepted documents from this list to be verified at either our Southwark or Havering campus. Document checks can be completed for free at either campus, no appointment is necessary.

If you cannot get to either of our campuses, you can have your documents checked and certified at the Post Office for a small fee.

Occupational Health (OH)

An exciting part of your placement is that you’ll be learning off-campus and working with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.

Questionnaire

The first part of your occupational health check is to complete the online questionnaire which our occupational health provider will review.

Complete your online questionnaire

GP appointment

The second part of your occupational health check is to get any inoculations that you may need from your GP. When attending your GP appointment, please take printed copies of these two documents with you.

Vaccination Screening Advisory Letter (PDF File 126 KB)
GP Vaccination and Screening History (PDF File 117 KB)

Occupational Health appointment

After these steps are complete you will receive an email from OHWorks Ltd inviting you to attend an appointment on-campus with an Occupational Health Nurse. These appointments take place during the week and sometimes when your classes have already started.

The OH team have prepared this guide (PDF File 322 KB) which outlines what to expect at each stage. If you have queries or concerns about your Occupational Health clearance or inoculations please contact the Occupational Health team.

Frequently asked questions

Numeracy practice

Before starting your course, you may want to check or practice your numeracy skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that helps you learn, revise and quiz your essential numeracy skills. You’ll also be able to get a certificate to show your efforts.

Enrolment and Welcome Week

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our new students pages.

Uniforms

Most placements and some practical sessions in our skills laboratories will require you to wear a uniform and name badge. You will be measured for uniforms specific to your course as part of your Welcome Week activities after enrolment. In the meantime, we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions that you might find useful.

Frequently asked questions

Practice placements

Most health and social care courses’ practice placements will operate outside normal working hours e.g. evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Holidays

Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course.