BSc (Hons) Midwifery

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Derby

Program Overview

If you’re passionate about supporting women, babies, and families through one of life’s most important journeys, this midwifery degree is perfect for you. You’ll combine hands-on clinical placements with classroom learning, giving you the confidence, skills, and compassion to practise as a fully qualified midwife.

Curriculum structure:
Year 1: You’ll start by exploring the foundations of midwifery, including modules on Anatomy and Physiology in Pregnancy, Professional Practice in Midwifery, and Foundations of Care. This year is all about understanding the pregnancy journey, developing essential skills, and learning what it takes to provide safe and supportive care.

Year 2: In your second year, you’ll take on more complex scenarios with modules like Complications in Pregnancy, Public Health and Community Midwifery, and Leadership in Practice. You’ll work with mothers and babies with additional care needs, build confidence in clinical settings, and develop teamwork and evidence-based practice skills.

Year 3: Your final year prepares you to step into professional practice with modules such as Autonomous Practice in Midwifery, Specialist Care, and Research in Midwifery. You’ll refine your decision-making, leadership, and care coordination skills, ensuring you’re ready to register as a confident and capable midwife.

Focus areas:
midwifery care, antenatal/intrapartum/postnatal practice, newborn and family health, leadership, evidence-based practice.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate able to provide safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care for women and babies, work confidently in multidisciplinary teams, lead and manage care effectively, and meet professional standards for registration.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
Fully approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and aligned with the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, giving your qualification long-term professional value.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Derby’s midwifery course is ranked Top 10 for teaching and 3rd for learning opportunities in the National Student Survey 2025, reflecting strong student satisfaction and graduate readiness.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Derby, midwifery is all about learning by doing. From your first year, you’ll get hands-on experience in real maternity and community settings, supported by expert supervisors. You’ll also train in state-of-the-art simulation suites and mock labour rooms, where you can practise delivering babies, providing postnatal care, and responding to emergencies — all in a safe, realistic environment. Along the way, you’ll collaborate with students from other health professions, developing the teamwork and communication skills essential for a career in midwifery:

Clinical placements across hospitals, birth centres, community clinics, and postnatal settings, making up about 50% of your degree.
Mock Labour Room — practise births and newborn care using birthing pools, beds, and other realistic equipment before stepping into real clinical settings.
Clinical Skills Suite — high-fidelity manikins and models to rehearse anatomy, procedures, and emergency scenarios.
Virtual learning tools — immersive simulations and online platforms that let you prepare for complex maternity situations safely.
Inter-professional learning — work alongside nursing and healthcare students to gain experience in collaborative, team-based care.
Guided supervision — dedicated Practice Supervisors and Assessors help you reflect on your learning and apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the BSc (Hons) Midwifery at Derby prepares you to support women, babies, and families with confidence and compassion. You could step straight into roles such as a Registered Midwife, Community Midwife, Birth-Centre Midwife, or Specialist Midwife working in areas like bereavement care or safeguarding. With your hands-on experience and professional training, you’ll be ready to make an immediate impact in real healthcare settings:

Careers & Employability support — personalised guidance, CV and interview coaching, and connections with local NHS trusts to help you secure your first role.
Strong employment outcomes — around 94% of nursing & midwifery graduates from Derby are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating.
Graduate salaries — typical starting pay is around £25,500, giving you a solid foundation as you start your career.
Professional accreditation — fully approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) and aligned with UNICEF UK Baby Friendly standards, ensuring your qualification is recognised and respected.
University–industry partnerships — close links with NHS trusts provide high-quality placements and real-world experience.
Graduate outcomes — many alumni secure NHS Band 5 midwife roles immediately, with opportunities to progress into specialist, leadership, research, or teaching positions.

Further Academic Progression:
After graduation, you could continue your studies with an MSc in Midwifery or a related specialist field, or explore roles in leadership, research, or education. For those looking to make a bigger impact on maternity care, doctoral-level study is also an option.