Midwifery / Registered Midwife PgDip
Why choose this course?
This three-year Masters course has been designed for graduates who would like to gain the knowledge, skills and values necessary to register as midwives on the Nursing and Midwifery Council's (NMC) professional register. This is an NMC approved course.
Our 2020 curriculum is currently being revised in line with the new NMC standards.
| UCAS code | Mode | Duration | Start date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1A35 | Full time | 3 years | September 2020 |
| Location | Kingston Hill and St George's, University of London |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- You will be taught by experienced midwives and healthcare specialists from the Joint Faculty of Kingston and St George's, and wider NHS experts.
- You will have opportunities to learn with social workers, paramedics and students of medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy, radiography and bio-medical science. This reflects the midwife's inter-professional working environment.
- This course includes anatomy with dissected cadaveric material (real bodies that have been generously donated). This unique learning opportunity makes up 10 per cent of first year teaching.
What you will study
You will study a wide range of subjects that provide the scientific knowledge base for midwifery practice, such as maternal and neonatal physiology and care; health promotion and education; professional, ethical and legal issues; and research. You will be exposed to a variety of educational and practice settings and encouraged to view learning as a lifelong process. Reflection is emphasised throughout the course to enhance the integration of theory and practice.
These modules will be subject to change in accordance with the new pre-registration midwifery education standards from the Nursing and Midwifery Council for 2020.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
In Year 1, you will be introduced to midwifery theory and practice focussing on birth as a physiological process.
Core modules
Birth as a Life Event
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the social context of birth as a life and family event. It will also develop your understanding of the role of the midwife in supporting the woman and her family through childbearing.
Introduction to Professional Practice
30 credits
This module will introduce you to midwifery professional practice. It identifies the role of the midwife and locates the responsibilities of the midwife within the scope of midwifery practice. Professional values and culture will also be explored.
Foundation for Biosciences in Childbearing
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the biological basis to underpin the provision of midwifery care in relation to childbearing. It also provides an introduction to pharmacology.
From Embryo to Neonate
30 credits
This module will enable you to explore the continuum from fertilization to the neonate and how this impacts on integration into the family.
In Year 2, we build on your knowledge and skills gained in Year 1 and introduce the complexities that can occur during pregnancy for some mothers and babies.
Core modules
Women's Health and Illness
30 credits
This module will revisit your knowledge of anatomy whilst facilitating an understanding of physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, therapeutic interventions and clinical assessment related to disease and its implications for pregnancy and childbirth, whilst maintaining a woman centred approach.
Principles of Research and Evidence of Midwifery Practice
30 credits
This module will enable you to appraise practice guidelines and published research. A variety of research methods and the research process will be reviewed, giving you the information required to be able to critique the evidence informing midwifery practice.
Public Health and Childbearing
30 credits
This module will enable you to explore public health issues from both a local and national perspective, and to care for clients holistically. You will also analyse a range of theories and concepts of health promotion and education and discuss how they could be used in relation to health promotion / health education in midwifery practice.
Dimensions of Health and Midwifery Practice
30 credits
This module will enable you to further develop your knowledge and skills in supporting and facilitating pregnancy and childbirth, recognising actual and potential complications for both the mother and the neonate.
Year 3 continues to develop your midwifery knowledge, understanding and leadership skills, preparing you for autonomous practice as a midwife.
Core modules
The Midwife as a Professional
30 credits
This module aims to prepare you for autonomous practice. Key aspects will include working with other professional groups, understanding professional regulation and local and national governance to promote safe midwifery practice. This will help support you in the transition from student to accountable, autonomous practitioner.
Facilitating Women-Centred Care
30 credits
This module provides you with the knowledge and skills to provide woman centred care. Key aspects of working with other professional groups are reviewed and related to practice and women's experience of care, so as to help support you in the transition from student to accountable, autonomous practitioner.
Midwifery and Women's Health: International Perspectives
30 credits
This module will enable you to appreciate the socio-political influences shaping the changing context of maternity services within the NHS, independent practice and from an international perspective. You will be able to examine the variations in childbirth practices around the world and to consider midwifery practice in developed and developing countries. You will have an opportunity to undertake a 2 week elective experience, locally, nationally or internationally to observe childbirth practices.
Improving Practice through Research
30 credits
This module will facilitate you to understand the evidence base underpinning midwifery theory and practice and build on your knowledge of research. The focus is on informing professional practice using relevant evidence and research techniques. The module will enable you to appraise evidence and critically evaluate and contribute to the strategies for improving care through research, audit and clinical governance.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Entry requirements
Teaching and assessment
Teaching includes academic study and clinical practice experience. You will have access to well-equipped skills laboratories and simulation suites where you can use clinical equipment and practise on mannequins and teaching models that are relevant to maternity care.
There is a continuous assessment of theory and practice. This includes extended essays, examinations, reflective journal writing and projects.
Who teaches this course?
You will be taught by leaders in the field who regularly contribute to research, particularly in the care of the mother and child, before, during and after pregnancy. Our teaching has an extensive focus on practical skills development, in partnership with local NHS Trusts to ensure you are fully equipped and competent to practice.
Course fees and funding
Facilities
Kingston University's unique partnership with St George's, University of London (SGUL), means that health and social care students can access the combined resources of both Kingston University and SGUL.
As a student on this course, you will be based mainly at the Kingston Hill campus and will use the St George's campus for working in the anatomy laboratory.
Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus
Kingston University's Kingston Hill campus offers you modern facilities and include well-equipped laboratories where you can practise within a safe environment.
Our clinical skills laboratories house all the equipment needed to simulate clinical practice.
St George's, University of London campus
The St George's, University of London campus in Tooting is based alongside St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and offers you the specialist teaching environment of a medical school.
After you graduate
Registered midwives can choose to develop their skills and experience in the NHS, or the independent or voluntary sectors. Midwives can elect to work clinically, teach, undertake research or even manage a complete maternity service. Extensive postgraduate study opportunities are also available at Kingston and St George's.
Career opportunities
Midwifery today is a highly attractive career with good financial rewards and excellent employment prospects in the UK and overseas.
The majority of midwives work in the NHS, either in the community working alongside GPs, district nurses and social workers, or in hospital environments in partnership with obstetricians, anaesthetists and neonatologists. Others work in private maternity hospitals or practice independently.
There are many practice-based roles and also management opportunities in both midwifery and general health care which can enable midwives to develop and support modern midwifery practice. Midwives may also take on consultant roles.
Teaching and mentoring
Qualified midwives can take further qualifications in teaching and mentoring to enable them to supervise and teach student midwives. There are also opportunities in higher education in a lecturer-practitioner role, which allow midwives to combine an interest in teaching with hands-on midwifery practice.
Accreditation
This degree confers both an academic award and a professional qualification in midwifery. On completion of the programme, students are recommended to the Nursing and Midwifery Council or professional registration.
What our students say
Links with the health sector
You will do a range of placements in different settings, including hospitals, community settings and continuity of care. We have a range of practice partners for midwifery from the NHS including:
- Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Current research in this subject
Many of our staff in the Faculty of Health, Social Care and Education are research active, often in partnership with NHS Trusts. This ensures they are in touch with the latest thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
Midwifery research activity focuses around several key areas:
- Clinical interventions
- Professional practice
- Women's experience of maternity care
- Public health
- International midwifery
We conduct much of our midwifery research and consultancy either in partnership with or on behalf of maternity services, voluntary sector and independent agencies.
