Midwifery BSc (Hons)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Bedfordshire

Program Overview

The BSc (Hons) Midwifery at the University of Bedfordshire is ideal for students who are passionate about supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. This hands-on degree blends scientific knowledge, compassionate care, and real clinical experience to help you grow into a confident and professional midwife.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Strong Foundations in Midwifery
Your first year introduces you to the fundamentals of midwifery through modules such as Introduction to Midwifery Practice, Anatomy and Physiology for Midwives, and Professional Values and Communication. You’ll begin clinical placements early, allowing you to observe maternity care in real settings and start building essential practical and interpersonal skills.

Year 2 – Applying Knowledge in Practice
In the second year, learning becomes more applied with modules like Developing Midwifery Practice, Public Health and Family-Centred Care, and Evidence-Based Practice. You’ll spend increased time on placement, gaining confidence in supporting normal and complex pregnancies while learning how research informs safe and effective care.

Year 3 – Preparing for Professional Practice
Your final year focuses on leadership, complex care, and readiness for qualification through modules such as Complex Midwifery Care, Leadership and Professional Practice, and an Independent Research Project. This year helps you develop autonomy, decision-making skills, and professional confidence so you’re ready to step into practice as a newly qualified midwife.

Focus Areas: Pregnancy and childbirth care, maternal and newborn health, public health, evidence-based practice, professional leadership

Learning Outcomes: Safe and compassionate clinical practice, strong communication skills, critical thinking, research awareness, readiness for professional registration

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), enabling eligibility for registration as a midwife in the UK

Reputation (Employability): The University of Bedfordshire is known for its strong focus on practical learning and employability, with graduates well prepared for roles within NHS trusts, community midwifery services, and wider maternity care settings

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The University of Bedfordshire BSc Hons Midwifery program offers an immersive experiential learning environment that combines rigorous academic study with extensive, hands-on clinical placements. Students gain real-world skills in varied healthcare settings, supported by advanced simulation technologies and expert academic staff, preparing them thoroughly for professional midwifery practice.

Key experiential learning features include:

• Spending 50% of course time in clinical placements across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Oxfordshire, and East London, gaining diverse, supervised hands-on experience.

• Use of a fully immersive simulation floor in the STEM building, featuring medical-grade mannequins (including infant mannequins) to practice births and emergency scenarios safely.

• Access to state-of-the-art clinical and diagnostic equipment during hospital and community placements.

• Regular involvement with practice supervisors and clinical tutors providing personalized feedback and assessment.

• Group work, scenario-based learning, and role-play integrated within university teaching to complement practical experience.

• Collaboration with NHS trusts like Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust for placement support and learning.

• Opportunities to participate in student midwifery societies and extra-curricular conferences to build professional networks.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery Registered Midwife 2nd Registration program at the University of Bedfordshire are well-equipped to work as qualified and registered midwives within the NHS or independently, with opportunities in management, research, and education. Typical job roles include Registered Midwife, Community Midwife, Clinical Midwife Specialist, and Maternity Services Manager. The program’s extensive practice-based learning, blended with academic theory, ensures graduates are ready to make impactful contributions to maternal and newborn care.

Supporting your career journey, the university provides:

• Dedicated Careers and Employability Services offering tailored support such as CV writing, interview preparation, and healthcare job fairs.

• Strong employment outcomes with 100% of full-time UK health graduates in highly skilled employment or further study within 15 months (HESA data).

• Partnerships with NHS trusts across Bedfordshire and neighboring regions offering invaluable placement and employment connections.

• Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accreditation ensuring professional registration and recognition.

• Graduates often advance into specialist clinical roles, healthcare management, research, or midwifery education.