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:

1
1-1
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;
1-2
2
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';
1-3
3
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;
1-4
4
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;
1-5
5
Facilitate and communicate with women to establish relationships based on partnership, trust and confidentiality;
1-6
6
Demonstrate reflective, lifelong learning for self and others to enhance competent, flexible and responsive midwifery practice;
1-7
7
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;
1-8
8
Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for midwifery and its implications for practice in a variety of settings.

*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***

Marks and Standards

These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.

Fitness to Practise

All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.

Marks and Credits

Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.

First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria

To pass first year and progress to second year, students must have satisfied the Fitness to Practise requirements and must achieve:

1. An aggregate mark of 50% across all modules,
2. A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits,
3. A pass mark practice placement module NU1056, and
4. A module mark of at least 45% in any remaining modules in Part A.

Students who fail to complete the practice placement module at the Summer Examination Board due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. sick leave), may have an Incomplete Placement Judgement (IP) recorded.

Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall.

Award of Honours in the Degree Award

An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from first, second and third year. The aggregate of 10% of Year 1 Part A, 20% of Year 2 Part A, 35% of Year 3 Part A, and 35% of Year 4 Part A will be used to calculate the final degree award.

Honours will be awarded as follows:

1. First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
2. Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
3. Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 55% and <60%
4. Pass: ≥ 50% and <55%

Examination Boards

• Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
• Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.

Supplemental Examinations and Assessment

• Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
• Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
• The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
• The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
• The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
• At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.

Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.

• If a student fails to achieve competence in their CAD at the Summer Examination Board, the student will be provided with a supplemental repeat opportunity as prescribed in the School of Nursing and Midwifery Policy for Repeating a Clinical Module. Students failing to achieve a pass judgement at the Autumn Examination Board will be required to repeat the failed CAD in a repeat year. In addition, failure to attend 'repeat time' and/or 'time owing' as prescribed/scheduled by the School of Nursing and Midwifery will result in a fail judgement and students will be required to repeat the module in a repeat year. A student can only repeat Part B once in a repeat year. Results of the repeat year clinical practice module (Part B) will be presented to the next appropriate Examination Board. If a Fail Judgement for the clinical placement module (Part B) is returned in a repeat year, the student will be offered the opportunity to take the non-clinical exit route.
• Students who fail to complete Part B (the practice placement module) at the Summer Examination Board due to extenuating circumstances (e.g. sick leave), may have an Incomplete Placement Judgement (IP) recorded until the Autumn Examination Board, after which an Incomplete Placement Judgement (IP), Pass, Fail or Absent Judgement will be awarded. Students failing to achieve a pass judgement in Part B at the Autumn Examination Board will be required to repeat the failed CAD in a repeat year.

Exemptions

All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.

Repeat Year Examinations

Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 45%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.​

Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).

Two Year Rule

Students must pass/progress within two academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme. Any individual year can be repeated only once, however, a maximum of two failed years may be repeated during a student’s programme of studies. Thus, students must complete their studies ordinarily within six years of registering for the First Year of the programme.

Terms and Definitions

Programme Description

• The programme description is outlined in the Programme Requirements tab.

Module Descriptions/Assessment

• Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.

Marks and Credits

• A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
• Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.

Pass and Progression

• Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
• Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.