MidwiferyBSc

As the demand for midwives in the UK soars each year, modern midwives play a vital role in the community, making profound impact in countless ways. Our BSc Midwifery degree, designed in collaboration with practice partners, service users, and advocacy groups, will tackle NHS workforce shortages by training exceptionally skilled midwives dedicated to delivering safe, compassionate care.

• Our state-of-the-art maternal and neonatal facilities will allow you to develop your clinical skills in a safe environment before applying in real-world practice.
• Experience online teaching for a flexible learning experience.
• Learn from senior academics, researchers, and clinical midwives at a leading research-intensive university renowned for its groundbreaking work in maternal and neonatal health.
• Develop holistic care and decision-making skills through your very own Virtual Midwifery Caseload. 
• By collaborating with an active public engagement midwifery group, we are dedicated to ensuring our programme and resources prioritise the needs of service-users.

Gain real-world experience through local clinical placements

Our strong placement partnerships with local NHS employers ensure you will be supported and exposed to a range of specialist, high-quality, local placements tailored to your needs. Supported by academic assessors, practice supervisors, and placement managers, you'll rotate through clinical areas, carry a small caseload, and follow women to their appointments and births. You'll also undertake a specialist placement block, working with midwifery experts, agencies, and researchers.

• Online learning - Engage in live lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, and small group tutorials. Access dedicated online materials for flexible study.
• Virtual Midwifery caseload - You will be allocated your very own Virtual Midwifery Caseload which reflects the insights of those who have directly experienced maternity services. 
• Skills and simulation days - Prior to placements, you'll practice key midwifery skills, engage in simulations, and learn pelvic examinations with our gynaecological teaching associates. 

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – Your personal tutor will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Student Services Centre - Based within the Medical School, access many services from drop in sessions for advice and guidance, referral to internal and external services to support regarding extenuating circumstances. Here you will find our Wellbeing Officers. They provide professional support, advice and guidance across a range of issues.

Academic Skills Centre - The centre is a place where you can develop your mathematical, academic writing and general academic skills. Become an effective and independent learner through the use of a range of high-quality and appropriate learning support services.

Our student experience team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, placement support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events to help you meet fellow students from your course.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

• Coursework such as essays
• Oral presentations
• Computer-based problem solving
• Formal exams and assignments

Contact hours

Year 1: Approximately 25% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 25% on independent study and 50% on placement.

Year 2: Approximately 25% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 25% on independent study and 50% on placement.

Year 3: Approximately 20% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 30% on independent study and 50% on placement.

Number of A levels required: 3

Required subjects and grades

Grade B or above in a Science, Health or relevant Social Science subject. Relevant subjects that meet the Science/Social Science requirement include Biology, Applied Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Psychology, Applied Science, and Sociology.

GCSE requirements 

Grade C/4 or above in English Language or Literature, Mathematics or equivalent and one science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or a Double/Triple award).

You must still meet the standard GCSE requirements unless out of education for a considerable amount of time (five years) and have at least two years’ experience in a full-time, ‘hands on’ health care role (part-time not accepted).

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Minimum Grade 6 in a Higher-Level Science, Health or Social Science subject. Overall score of 32 with 6,5,5 at HL. Subject requirements as per A level.

T Levels

Health, Science or Healthcare Science T Levels accepted. Distinction overall with minimum grade B in the Core. 

BTEC qualifications

• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social / Applied Science standard offer of D*DD.
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Health & Social / Applied Science standard offer of DD + A.
• BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate standard offer of D + AB. 

Access to Higher Education (Health or Science):

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3 including 36 at distinction, 9 at merit (to include study of Physiology or Biology). Access courses must have been completed within the last two years to be valid. You must also meet the GCSE entry requirements in full for the programme.

Minimum age requirement

As this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

• TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 23 in any band.
• IELTS*: 7.0 overall with no less than 7.0 in any band.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 in all four skills.
• Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015)***: Cambridge English: Advanced or Cambridge English: Proficiency Minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 185 in any component.
• Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): Not applicable.
• Trinity ISE II: Not applicable.
• Trinity ISE III: ISE IV: Pass in each Skill.

*Further information on can be found at the IELTS website. IELTS tests must be the Academic version, we cannot accept the General test.

** For more information on the Pearson Test of English visit their website.

*** For more information on Cambridge English exams, please visit their website. For Cambridge English exams taken before 2015, please see under Alternative Qualifications for the accepted grades.

**** Business School programmes require one of the following scores: A TOEFL score of 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in Writing and Speaking, an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.5 in Writing and Speaking, a Pearson Test of English score of 67 overall, with 67 in Writing and Speaking, a Cambridge English score of 176 overall with 176 in Writing and Speaking, a Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI) score of B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in Listening and Reading and 38 in Speaking and Writing, or a Trinity ISE III score of Merit in Speaking and Writing, Pass in other skills.

Presessional English courses

If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.

The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If your offer is for 2025 year of entry, we expect that the tuition fee for your first year of study will be £9,535 for UK students.  If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay.  If you are applying for 2026 year of entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee closer to the time.

Undergraduate loans

To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.

Scholarships, grants and bursaries

At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.

The NHS Learning Support Fund

The NHS Learning Support Fund offers nursing students at least £5,000 a year in financial aid whilst you train and gain professional registration. Check out their website for eligibility criteria and further information.

View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.

Upon successful completion, you'll earn a BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree and be eligible to register as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. This is just the start of your career journey. Become a confident practitioner and future leader, adept at using research and evidence to guide your practice ensuring safe and positive child birthing experiences. 

Careers Network

Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.