MidwiferyMSc
- Ranking1stchoice for graduate employers
- Delivery formatOnline and in person
- Start dateSeptemberDuration2 years (full-time)
- AwardMaster of Science
- Entry requirementsA 2:1 Bachelors degree in Nursing (adult field)
Page contents
Course overview
Thrive in an in-demand industry with the skills to ensure that childbirth happens in a safe and positive environment. Studying in Birmingham's award-winning Medical School, you'll benefit from interprofessional learning opportunities across the programme.
Change your career direction, our course is the ideal opportunity for current adult nurses to expand on their existing skills and knowledge. Benefit from simulated based learning and placements at local material health providers.
Course structure
This course will run over two years in a full-time mode. Whilst content of the course may change, here's what you can expect to study each year.
Course highlights
Join a rewarding and highly in-demand role. The NHS needs more midwives to be able to deliver a safe and compassionate service.
Our course has been developed to help relieve the shortages in the workforce and in partnership with practice partners, service users and advocacy groups to bring a personalised learning environment.
The unique features of the course include a virtual case load. This develops your midwifery skills including relationship-based holistic care and planning and accurate clinical assessment, whilst giving high-quality decision-making within a safe learning environment.
- Engage with our research centres including Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research and The Centre for Global Women’s Health
- Work alongside experienced academics, researchers, clinical midwives, and experts in their fields exploring issues to women, their families and newborns
- Our maternal and neonatal simulation facilities will allow you to develop your clinical skills in a safe environment before using them in practice
- Our close links with placement partners ensures you will be supported and exposed to a range of specialist placements tailored to your needs
- Funding
NHS England funded places available.
- Learn
Learn in state-of-the-art equipped clinical suites.
- NMC
Developed in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) 2019 Standards for Midwifery
- Learning and development
Birmingham is the youngest city in Europe, with 40% of the population 25 or under and projections for birth rates are rising. Located in a city of great diversity, and with a wealth of healthcare providers in the region, you'll have access to a large variety of learning and development opportunities.
Course delivery
The course has a blended teaching approach across lectures, small-group seminars and placement. The core modules are designed to promote development of skills in each area of midwifery care.
- Taught Modules- these include on campus and virtual learning through lectures, seminars, tutorials and the virtual midwifery caseload.
- Practical based learning - You'll spend a minimum of 1,800 hours on placement with local maternal health providers, including Birmingham Women's Hospital.
- Research-based modules – We encourage you to get involved with research and have access each week to maternal health research team.
- Assessments - Modules will be assessed through essays, group assignments, exams, presentations, OSCEs clinical assessments.
Module information
The course comprises 180 credits of taught material and 1,800 hours of work placement.
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year: 1
2025/26
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Creating and Applying Evidence | 20 | Semester 2 |
Exploring additional health needs in a maternity system | 20 | Full Term |
Newborn and infant health assessment | 10 | Semester 2 |
Professional Midwifery Practice | 10 | Semester 1 |
Safe and effective midwifery care | 20 | Full Term |
The midwife as a developing practitioner | 0 | Full Term |
Universal midwifery care across the childbearing continuum | 20 | Full Term |
Year: 2
2026/27 Session
The following must be taken:
Module Title | Credits | Semester |
---|---|---|
Advanced Practice Research Project | 40 | Full Term |
Enhancing midwifery care for complex cases | 20 | Full Term |
Leading and managing a caseload | 20 | Full Term |
The midwife as a skilled practitioner | 0 | Full Term |
Teaching staff
Teresa Shalofsky, Lead Midwife for Education
Louise Hartin Atkin, Programme Lead
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Bachelors degree
in Nursing
You'll need one of the following qualifications:
A Bachelors degree in Nursing (adult field), normally with 2:1 Honours or above or A Bachelors degree in a non-nursing subject, normally with 2:1 Honours or above, plus a certified qualification in adult nursing (Postgraduate Diploma, Pre-Registration Diploma or equivalent).
All applicants must also have:
- GCSE: Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature and Mathematics or equivalent
- Evidence of recent academic study within the last five years
- A minimum of 12 months of clinical experience as an adult nurse
- An ability to meet the requirements for NMC revalidation as an adult nurse for the duration of the programmeSelf-declaration of health and character, satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service and occupational health assessment/BBV clearance
- Access to IT and digital literacy to enable engagement with the programme
- A suitable reference that supports claims made on your personal statement. This should include an academic reference.
- Applicants whose first language is not English should have an overall IELTS score of 7.0 overall and with 6.5 in writing and 7.0 in all other sections to ensure compliance with Standard 1.5.6.
Fees and scholarships
The University of Birmingham's School of Nursing and Midwifery have 20 NHS England funded places on the MSc Midwifery programme to cover tuition fees and a mid-point band 5 salary.
Postgraduate Masters Loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters Scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Select whether you are a UK student or an international student for relevant application deadlines.
- 29 August 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Completion of our MSc Midwifery degree will enable you to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a midwife.
Our graduates can expect a high level of employment and this programme will prepare you to work in all maternity settings, including in hospitals and in the community. You'll also be equipped for roles in traditional and continuity of care teams.
The knowledge, skills and values you'll develop whilst a student at Birmingham will also provide you with the foundation from which to progress to advanced clinical, leadership, management, research and education roles in midwifery.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.