Midwifery / Registered Midwife BSc (Hons)
Why choose this course?
This three-year course prepares you for a career in midwifery. You need to have good interpersonal skills and empathy, as you'll be providing holistic, personal care to women and their families from all parts of society.
The course is part of a unique joint faculty between Kingston University and St George's, University of London, the only UK university dedicated to medicine and healthcare sciences, giving you excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth. It's taught at the St George's Tooting campus in South London and the Kingston Hill campus.
Our 2020 curriculum is currently being revised in line with the new NMC standards.
| Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years full time | B720 | 2019 2020 |
| Location | St George's, University of London (for majority of the course) and Kingston Hill |
Reasons to choose Kingston University
- 100 per cent of students from this course are in highly-skilled employment or further study six months after graduating (DHLE 2016/17).
- Kingston University is ranked No. 1 for Nursing and Midwifery in London (Guardian League Tables 2020).
- Studies in anatomy will include learning with dissected cadaveric material (real bodies generously donated to science). This unique learning opportunity makes up 10 per cent of first year teaching.
What you will study
Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. 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 skills, preparing you for autonomous practice as a midwife.
Core modules
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.
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.
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.
What our students say
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 project.
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.
Academic support
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
Your workload
| Type of teaching and learning | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| % of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity: | 32% | 32% | 32% |
| Scheduled teaching and learning: | 384 hours | 384 hours | 384 hours |
| Guided independent study: | 96 hours | 96 hours | 96 hours |
| Clinical Practice: | 720 hours | 720 hours | 720 hours |
Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.
How you will be assessed
There is a continuous assessment of theory and practice. This includes extended essays, examinations, reflective journal writing and projects.
| Type of assessment | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| Coursework | 50% | 62% | 62% |
| Practical exam | 25% | 20% | 38% |
| Written exam | 25% | 18% | 0% |
Feedback summary
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students Wednesday afternoon are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 for professional registration.
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:
- Croydon Health Services NHS Trust
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Frimley
- St Peters, Chertsey
Key information set
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
