Overview

This is a four-year full-time undergraduate programme, leading to the award of a BSc (Hons). On successful completion of the programme, students will also be recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland for registration as a midwife.

Attendance

Full attendance is required at all scheduled teaching activities in all modules, including at clinical placement. Where this does not occur, students will be expected to satisfactorily explain and support with evidence (e.g. medical illness certificates, explanation of other mitigating circumstances causing non-attendance) all absences and this must be considered acceptable by the relevant module coordinator(s) and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Unavoidable planned absence must be discussed and agreed with each module coordinator(s) of affected module(s) in advance. Each situation will be assessed on an individual basis. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a student being deemed not to have fulfilled the requirements for entry to the subsequent examination. These regulations apply also to students who are studying for the qualifications of some other regulatory body. The Deputy President and Registrar, UCC will certify whether or not the student's attendance has been satisfactory on the basis of recommendations from Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

First Year - Midwifery

In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Midwifery, each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a practice module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Second Year - Midwifery

A student may not register for the Second Year of the programme until the First University Examination in Midwifery and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Midwifery, each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a practice module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Note: Advanced Entry

Successful advanced entry applicants into Second Year of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme may be required to undertake NU2101 (5 credits) in addition to the 60 credits in Second Year (making a total of 65 credits).

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Second University Examination in Midwifery

The Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health), NFQ Level 6, is an alternative diploma pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module (NU2083). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery on the first and repeat attempts as per module descriptor will re-register for the non-clinical Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health). This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Midwife.

To complete the Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health), a student must pass all Part A modules for the second BSc Midwifery Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU2084 (10 credits). Students who complete the Part B Study Module are required to exit the programme with a Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health) award. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page.

Second Year - Second University Examination in Health Studies (Women's Health)

Leading to: NFQ Level 6, Minor Award - Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health)

A student may not register for the Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health) programme until the First University Examination in Midwifery and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Diploma in Health Studies (Women's Health), each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a study module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Third Year - Midwifery

A student may not register for the Third Year of the programme until the Second University Examination in Midwifery and the appropriate Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Midwifery, each student must have attended lecture modules as detailed in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a practice module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Third University Examination in Midwifery

The BSc Health Studies (Women's Health), NFQ Level 7, is an alternative ordinary bachelor's degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module (NU3069). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 2 of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery on the first and repeat attempts as per module descriptor will re-register for the non-clinical BSc in Health Studies (Women's Health). This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Midwife.

To complete the BSc Health Studies (Women's Health), a student must pass all Part A modules for the third-year BSc Midwifery Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU3084 (10 credits). Students who complete the Part B study module are required to exit the programme with a BSc Health Studies (Women's Health) award. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page.

Third Year - Third University Examination in Health Studies (Women's Health)

Leading to: NFQ Level 7, Major Award - BSc in Health Studies (Women's Health)

A student may not register for the Third Year of the programme until the Second University Examination in Midwifery and the appropriate Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Health Studies (Women's Health), each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 50 credits and a study module in Part B to the value of 10 credits.

Fourth Year - Midwifery

A student may not register for the Fourth Year of the programme until the Third University Examination in Midwifery and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Fourth University Examination in Midwifery, each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 45 credits and a practice module in Part B to the value of 15 credits.

Alternative Pathway for Students Not Completing Fourth University Examination in Midwifery

The BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Women's Health) is an honours bachelors' degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the Part B practice module (NU4075). Students who do not pass the Part B practice module for Year 4 of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery on the first and repeat attempts as per module descriptor will re-register for the non-clinical BSc (Hons) in Health Studies (Women's Health).

To complete the BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Women's Health), a student must pass all Part A modules for the fourth-year BSc Midwifery Examinations and achieve a pass in the Part B independent study module NU4044 (15 credits). This pathway does not confer eligibility to practice as a Registered Midwife. Programme requirements are outlined on the corresponding page.

Fourth Year - Fourth University Examination in Health Studies (Women's Health)

Leading to: NFQ Level 8, Major Award - BSc (Hons) Health Studies (Women's Health)

A student may not register for the Fourth Year of the programme until the Third University Examination in Midwifery and the relevant Part B module have been passed. In order to be admitted to the Fourth University Examination in Health Studies (Women's Health), each student must have attended lecture modules in Part A to the value of 45 credits and an independent study module in Part B to the value of 15 credits.

Programme Requirements

For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements. 

Programme Requirements

Module List

Code	Title	Credits
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows - 50 credits in Part A and 10 credits in Part B.
Year 1 - Part A
Students take 50 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU1052	Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn I	10
NU1053	Midwives and Professional Practice I	10
NU1055	Interpersonal Communication and Applied Psychology for Midwifery Practice	10
NU1064	Midwifery Theory and Practice for Various Clinical Settings I	10
SC1016	Sociological concepts for Midwifery	5
NU1040	Infection Prevention and Control for Nursing and Midwifery Practice	5
Year 1 - Part B
Students take 10 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU1056	Midwifery Practice I	10
Year 2
Students take 60 credits as follows - 50 credits in Part A and 10 credits in Part B.
Year 2 - Part A
Students take 50 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU2092	Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn II	5
NU2093	Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn II - Complications	10
NU2094	Midwives and Professional Practice - Bereavement and Loss	5
NU2095	Biological Basis for Midwifery Practice	10
NU2096	Midwifery in Various Health Care Contexts II	10
NU2003	Pharmacology and Medication Management for Nurses and Midwives	5
NU2050	Research for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery Care	5
Year 2 - Part B
Students take 10 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU2083	Midwifery Practice II	10
Year 3
Students take 60 credits as follows - 50 credits in Part A and 10 credits in Part B.
Year 3 - Part A
Students take 50 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU3058	Midwifery Practice in Various Health Contexts III	10
NU3070	Pregnancy, Childbirth and Newborn III	15
NU3071	Midwives and Professional Practice III	5
NU3073	Parenthood Education: Promoting Normal Birth	10
SS3044	Contemporary Social Issues in Midwifery Practice	5
NU3083	Research for Evidence-based Nursing and Midwifery Care	5
Year 3 - Part B
Students take 10 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU3069	Midwifery Practice III	10
Year 4
Students take 60 credits as follows - 45 credits in Part A and 10 credits in Part B.
Year 4 - Part A
Students take 40 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU4079	Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Newborn IV	10
NU4081	Midwifery Professional Practice, Ethics and Law	10
NU4082	Health Promotion for Midwifery Practice	10
NU4073	Research for Evidence Based Nursing and Midwifery Care	10
Elective Modules
Students take modules to the value of 5 credits from the following:		5
NU4115	Healthcare and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (5)
NU4116	LGBTQI+ Inclusion in Nursing & Midwifery (5)
NU4117	Mental Health in Film: Critical Approaches (5)
NU4025	Health Care Informatics for Nursing and Midwifery (5)
NU4034	Complementary Therapies in Healthcare (5)
NU4037	Wound Management (5)
Year 4 - Part B
Students take 10 credits as follows:
Core Modules
NU4075	Midwifery Practice IV	15
Total Credits		240

¹

Students intending to select NU4114  should seek the prior approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc (Hons) Midwifery (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Establish and maintain effective caring and interpersonal relationships with women using a salutogenic approach and represent the needs, choices, values and beliefs of individual women, babies and families while empowering her decision-making throughout the childbirth experience;
  
• Promote the process of the childbirth cycle as a normal physiological process within the context of a healthy lifestyle and the context of 'Making every contact count';
  
• Actively fulfil a philosophy of midwifery practice with a commitment to high standards of safe evidenced based care as guided by the scope of midwifery practice;
  
• Practice in line with legislation and use professional guidance and be responsible and accountable, demonstrating knowledge and skills of the activities of a midwife (EC Directive 2005/36/EC), with competence, kindness, compassion and respect for women, their families and community;
  
• Facilitate and communicate with women to establish relationships based on partnership, trust and confidentiality;
  
• Demonstrate reflective, lifelong learning for self and others to enhance competent, flexible and responsive midwifery practice;
  
• Demonstrate safe effective practice to recognise deviations from normal pregnancy, to communicate care of women appropriately and to provide emergency care to mothers and babies as part of the multidisciplinary team;
  
• Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for midwifery and its implications for practice in a variety of settings.