Triangle

Course overview

Aiming to enable midwives and nurses to develop, deliver and direct high quality midwifery and maternity services within the context of the national and international drive toward improving maternity/health outcomes for the childbearing woman and her family. It also aims to equip midwives and nurses with the knowledge and skills required to operate at senior levels in today's maternity and health care services.

The MSc in Midwifery Studies, Maternal and Newborn Health is designed to enable students to:

  • Consolidate and extend theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the delivery of maternity and health care.
  • Develop self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
  • Contribute to the improvement of maternity and health care services locally, nationally, and internationally.
  • Achieve mastery in the critical analysis of research, policy, and scholarship relevant to their field of practice.
  • Prepare for leadership roles in maternity and health care.

To achieve this, we offer a learning environment that facilitates the development of reflective, analytical, and critical thinking and the ability to lead and manage change.

Our programme prepares and supports you to go into research or research as part of your practice-based role.

We are a small midwifery professional group, with a real sense of community. Our experienced teaching staff get to know you as an individual and provide dedicated student support throughout the study programme.

Why choose this course?

Small class sizes

providing dedicated support and high-quality teaching for student learning

Expert teaching

Staff in the Division of Midwifery are internationally-recognised for their teaching excellence.

96%

96% of our submitted research was judged to be World-Leading or Internationally Excellent, and our research environment was rated 100% World-Leading. 

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Course content

You'll study in-depth the art and science of midwifery, evidence informed midwifery practice, research skills, and methodology, and the ethical, political, legal, economic, multi-professional, and global context in which contemporary midwifery is practised.

  • MSc students will take all of the compulsory modules for a total of 180 credits.

Modules

Semester one

Introduction to Research Methodology and Design (20 credits) 20 credits

The aim of this module is to provide you with a detailed and nuanced understanding of research, design and project implementation within maternity settings. A secondary aim is that you will gain a critical appreciation of evidence-based guidelines, their development, dissemination and implementation.

The Concepts of Perinatal Mental Health for Health Care Professionals (20 credits) 20 credits

You will analyse knowledge and critical understanding in the concept of perinatal mental health in order to advance the wider context of practice.

This module considers the social and physical factors that could influence the normal emotional changes during pregnancy and childbirth. This includes:

  • challenges to mental well-being during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods;
  • the risk factors e.g. domestic abuse, safeguarding, drug and alcohol misuse, learning disability;
  • advanced knowledge of common mental health disorders;
  • local national and international policies related to the care of women with mental health problems;
  • the midwives’ or nurses’ role in foetal loss and bereavement support;
  • the multi-professional team working and collaboration with other agencies;
  • collaborative working in promoting positive infant mental health and wellbeing, specifically focusing on attachment, bonding and behavioural assessment;
  • the identification, assessment and referral pathways for women with mental health issues;
  • reflection on the latest evidence around, mental health and well-being of the family unit to include fathers and partners.
Using Evidence to Advocate in Midwifery Practice 20 credits

The aim of this module is to provide students with opportunities to develop their knowledge of advocacy in midwifery practice by evaluating how childbearing women with normal pregnancies and births are cared for within the context of risk. Evaluation of complications during pregnancy and birth will be explored to enable students to challenge non-evidence based practice.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 10 January 2023.
Research Skills for Maternal and Newborn Health Practice (20 credits) 20 credits

The aim of this module is to support you in transferring the skills and understanding learnt in a previous introductory research module to develop your own primary or secondary research protocol.

You will consider:

  • qualitative data analysis: handling the data
  • qualitative data analysis: understanding the data and finding meaning
  • service user involvement in research and involving key stakeholders: policy-makers, commissioners, NGOs etc.
  • qualitative meta-synthesis; purpose and techniques
  • quantitative meta-analysis; purpose and techniques
  • dissemination of research findings; impact and clinical applicability. Changing practice: models of change in health research, including guidelines and hierarchy of approaches to changing professional practice; basic implementation science
  • research leadership, governance and ethical approval 
Contemporary Issues in Infant Feeding and Nutrition (20 credits) 20 credits

This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the influences and inequalities in infant feeding and nutrition.

You will consider:

  • the mother-baby dyad from preconception to the second year of life
  • social, cultural and political influences on infant feeding
  • infant feeding culture in the UK and internationally
  • international code for breastmilk substitutes
  • the evidence that underpins infant feeding practice and how to keep up to date
  • strategic planning and management around infant feeding
  • global public health perspectives on infant feeding and nutrition
Maternal and Newborn health in a Global Context (20 credits) 20 credits

This module aims to extend your knowledge of global maternal and newborn health issues through exploration of current evidence and a critique of social policy. You will compare and contrast healthcare systems and practices in an international context. You will gain an understanding of the current debates in global health development and how they apply to the delivery of midwifery care. This includes examining the cultural and social challenges to accessing maternity care and identifying alternative clinical management of adverse events and emergencies in a low resource setting. The module also considers the role of women’s and/or human rights and feminism in the context of global maternal health.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 10 January 2023.
Dissertation (60 credits) 60 credits

This is an investigatory module that develops your research capabilities in the field of midwifery.    

Student led seminars provide you with the opportunity to develop, present and discuss with peers your protocols regarding the format of their dissertation i.e. empirical research project, modified systematic review, audit/service evaluation or critical review and subsequent development.

Independent study will be guided by an academic supervisor and individual tutorials, culminating in the submission of a unique and substantial piece of work in the form of a dissertation.

The dissertation module is studied across both Semester one and Semester two

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Enquiry-based learning
  • Tutorials
  • eLearning
  • Group study

How you will be assessed

  • Case studies
  • Literature review
  • Assignments
  • Dissertation

Your work will be assessed through a variety of means, including case studies, literature reviews, assignments, and dissertations.

To complete a module and gain its credits you will need to ensure you attend your timetabled sessions and achieve over the 50% pass mark.

In order to achieve the MSc, you will need a total of 180 credits.

  • You must have achieved a satisfactory academic standard for postgraduate study i.e. weighted course average of at least 50% to progress to the dissertation course.

In order to achieve the PGDip, you will need a total of 120 credits.

In order to achieve the PGCert, you will need a total of 60 credits.

Contact time and study hours

You are expected to work roughly 10 hours for each credit on the course, including teaching and independent study. For example, a 20 credit module should take around 200 hours to complete.

  • Modules are usually taught over 8 weeks.
  • There are approximately 3 hours of timetabled teaching hours, per module, each week.
  • The rest of your time outside of timetabled teaching is for self-directed study.

Please note teaching days vary depending on the module.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.

Undergraduate degree2:2 degree (or above)
Professional qualification

UK students must provide confirmation of registration as a midwife.

Work experience

You are expected to demonstrate a commitment to the practice of maternity and healthcare through your current professional/practitioner role.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a presessional English course. Presessional courses teach you academic skills in addition to English language. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

For on-campus presessional English courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. For online presessional courses, see our CELE webpages for guidance

Applying

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply
Medical School – Queen's Medical Centre

Where you will learn

Medical School – Queen's Medical Centre

Our Medical School is based in Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK’s largest hospitals.

There are dedicated clinical skills facilities including a dissection suite and teaching laboratories for medicine and healthcare students.

The hospital is located opposite University Park Campus and connected by a footbridge for easy access. Nottingham city centre is 15 minutes away by public bus or tram.

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £9,225
International £21,500

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, such as printing, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles.

Funding

We offer the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for this degree programme. 

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This course enables midwives and maternity nurses across the globe to advance their careers and operate at senior levels be it in clinical practice, higher education, management, or research.

Graduate destinations include posts as clinical managers, consultant midwives, lecturers, practice development midwives, research midwives, and specialist midwives.

Many of our students decide to continue their education by studying for a PhD in Midwifery.

Career progression

98.6% of postgraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,986.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Tuesday 10 January 2023. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.