Midwifery
Full-time
Three year
September 2025
In a nutshell
On successful completion of this three-year degree, you will be eligible to register as a midwife on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Professional Register.
Midwives offer care and support to birthing people, their partners and families. They provide care throughout the pregnancy continuum which includes antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum care.
Equality and diversity is important for providing high-quality care for birthing persons and their families. Within our midwifery programmes, we aim to provide a truly inclusive curriculum, recognising and valuing differences in the broadest sense. We also strive to ensure all our midwifery students feel valued and included.
Our Midwifery Curriculum is UNICEF Baby Friendly accredited and in February 2021 we achieved the Gold Award status demonstrating our highest commitment to infant feeding education for student midwives.
You will:
- Learn to practice autonomously, preparing for a career as a registered midwife.
- Develop the skills to provide care throughout the pregnancy continuum.
- Develop and maintain a portfolio of personal and professional development (PDP).
options available
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
You are hardworking and committed.
You are prepared to work shifts.
You are a compassionate and caring character.
You want to make a real difference.
You can see yourself working with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
You are up for a challenge.
All about the course
Year one
In your first year, you will begin to develop the theoretical basis for safe practice enabling theory and evidence to be applied. You will understand how to act in accordance with The Code (NMC 2018) and understand and act in accordance with relevant regulatory and governance requirements, policies and ethical frameworks which govern midwifery practice. You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role and scope of the midwife in the 21st century and understanding of a birthing person's relationships and individual family circumstances and the ability to involve their partner and family in discussions and decisions about their care, always respecting the birthing person's preferences and decisions.
You will achieve 120 credits at Level 4 and demonstrate satisfactory progress in the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement.
Year two
In your second year, you will develop the skills, knowledge and ability to advocate for the birthing person and newborn infants who are made vulnerable by their physical, psychological, social, cultural, or spiritual circumstances. You will understand the principles of courage, integrity, transparency and the professional duty of candour. You will understand the importance of effective record keeping and maintain consistent, complete, accurate, secure and timely records. You will effectively share information on public health, health promotion and health protection enabling a birthing person to make evidence informed decisions, and you will understand the importance of human milk and breastfeeding to public health and well-being and demonstrate how to protect, support and enable breastfeeding. You will understand the importance of birth to public health and well-being across the life-course.
You will take responsibility for continuous self-reflection, seeking and responding to all support and feedback to develop professional knowledge, understanding and skills in preparation for Level 6 studies. In your second year you are expected to contribute to providing care for birthing people, their babies and their families. This means that you will work in partnership with midwives and other health and social care practitioners, under close supervision and direction, appropriate to your knowledge and skills. The expectations of your professional behaviour and academic knowledge and skill are specific to year 2 and are recorded in the MORA.
You will achieve 120 credits at Level 5 and demonstrate satisfactory progression in the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement.
Year three
In your third year, you will use, share and apply research findings and lessons from data and reports to promote and inform best midwifery policy and practice, and to support birthing person's evidence-informed decision-making. You will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the range of factors affecting the provision of safe and effective maternity services and their impact on quality of care. You will understand how pre-existing, current and emerging complications and additional care needs affect the birthing person including the potential impact on a birthing person's health and wellbeing. You will be able to work with birthing people, partners, families, advocacy groups and colleagues to develop effective improvement strategies. You will demonstrate the skills of advocacy and leadership, knowing when and how to escalate concerns. You will understand the importance of continuous professional development in preparation for professional practice.
During your final year you are expected to provide care for the birthing person, their babies and their families in partnership with midwives and other health and social care practitioners, with appropriate supervision and direction as your knowledge and skill increases. The expectations of your professional behaviour and academic knowledge and skill are specific to year 3 and documented in the MORA.
You will achieve 120 credits at Level 6 and demonstrate satisfactory completion of the Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement and the statutory requirements set out by the NMC.
Accountability, Autonomy and Professionalism 1
Module aims:
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Introduce you to partnership working with a birthing person, respecting their human rights and enabling their views, preferences and decisions.
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Promote safe, effective and professional care within the role of the midwife.
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Prepare you to communicate effectively and with kindness and compassion.
Safe and Effective Care 1
Module aims:
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To work across the continuum from pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum and the early weeks of the newborn's life.
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Have understanding of the importance of creating an environment that is safe, respectful, kind, nurturing and empowering.
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Support the normal physiological processes throughout the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal periods to promote positive outcomes for the birthing person, infants and their families.
Universal Care 1
Module aims:
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Prepare you to work in partnership with the birthing person, newborn infants and their families.
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Enable you to understand the contribution to population health and the requirement to promote psychological and physical health and well-being.
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Explain how to optimise normal physiological processes to promote positive outcomes for the birthing person, infants and their families.
Additional Care 1
Module aims:
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Prepare you to recognise changes that may lead to additional care needs for the birthing person and newborn infants.
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Enable you to understand the importance of the midwife's role in first line management and timely collaboration with and referral to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency colleagues.
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Enable you to understand the midwife's ongoing responsibility for continuity and coordination of midwifery care.
Promoting Excellence 1
Module aims:
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Enable you to understand the principles of effective leadership, team working and the need for continuous development.
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Enable you to understand the importance of the midwife's contribution to the quality and safety of maternity care, avoiding harm and promoting positive outcomes and experiences.
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Explain the midwife's ongoing responsibility for continuous professional development and supporting and supervising others.
Reflective Practitioner 1
Module aims:
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To enable you to complete and record the participatory level of midwifery skills & proficiencies aligned to the proficiencies in each of the 6 domains of the NMC Standards for Midwifery Practice via the Midwifery On-going Record of Achievement (MORA).
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To enable you to reflect on learning that informs your professional development and practice.
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To enable you to demonstrate your strength based approaches and compassionate self-care.
Accountability, Autonomy and Professionalism 2
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Discuss and apply the legal and regulatory frameworks governing midwifery practice in the UK in protecting public safety
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Recognise and explain the importance of working in partnership with the birthing person in a way that is diversity sensitive and treats the birthing person with dignity and respect, recognising their autonomy and identify factors that contribute to inequalities in health.
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Identify and explain the physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual factors related to pregnancy and childbearing.
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Explain to the role of the midwife and the principles on which the role of the midwife is based.
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Apply an in-depth knowledge & understanding of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in the UK and globally.
Safe and Effective Care 2
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Identify and apply the relevant theories and concepts underpinning midwifery philosophies of care.
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Evaluate the principles underpinning collaborative multi-disciplinary, multi-agency working which promotes respectful, safe care.
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Explain the principles of safe and effective partnership working with birthing persons.
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Synthesise information and ideas related to infant feeding practices, formulating creative proposals to address issues.
Universal Care 2
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Identify and explain the anatomical, physiological and psycho-social adaptations related to pregnancy and childbearing.
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Analyse and evaluate the importance of culturally sensitive and individualised care for the birthing person, their partners and families.
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Identify and apply the principles underpinning the public health role of the midwife in optimising the health and wellbeing of the birthing person, their babies and the families.
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Identify and apply a range of relevant principles, concepts, theoretical frameworks and approaches to pregnancy, birth and the post-partum period in contexts of vary complexity.
Additional Care 2
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Identify and explain the complications and additional care needs throughout pregnancy and the childbearing continuum.
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Analyse and evaluate the importance of the birthing person/baby dyad when complications or additional care needs occur.
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Apply the principles of working in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.
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Identify and apply a range of relevant principles, concepts, theoretical frameworks and approaches related to safeguarding.
Promoting Excellence 2
In completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Apply an understanding of the range of human and environmental factors that can impact on high quality, safe care to the birthing person and infants.
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Apply research findings and lessons from data and reports to promote and inform best midwifery policy and practice, and to support the birthing persons evidence-informed decision-making.
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Synthesise information and ideas which contribute to quality evidence, audit and service evaluation.
Reflective Practitioner 2
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Organise and communicate information of varying complexity to the birthing person, their families, practice supervisors, academic assessors and peers.
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Synthesise information and ideas from practice and formulate creative proposals to address issues of varying complexity using established models of reflection.
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Contribute to safe and responsive care across the midwifery care continuum under direct supervision of a qualified midwife/supervisor or assessor (MORA).
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Take responsibility for the timely recording of information for all aspects of the midwifery care and related professional activity.
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Applies a range of effective communication approaches with supervisors and assessors, responding appropriately to feedback and taking responsibility for incorporating relevant change into practice and behaviour.
Accountability, Autonomy and Professionalism 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
-
Critically evaluate and apply the legal and regulatory frameworks governing midwifery practice in the UK.
-
Demonstrate partnership working with the birthing person in a way that is diversity sensitive and treats them with dignity and respect, recognising their autonomy and identify factors that contribute to inequalities in health.
-
Critically evaluate and illustrate the ways in which physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual factors relate to pregnancy and childbearing.
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Apply an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the role of the midwife and the principles on which the role of the midwife is based.
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Select and apply problem-solving strategies using specialist knowledge in complex situations.
Safe and Effective Care 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
-
Critically analyse and evaluate midwifery philosophies of care and how models of care are implemented.
-
Apply an in-depth understanding of collaborative multi-disciplinary, multi-agency working which promotes respectful, safe care.
-
Communicate and demonstrate safe and effective partnership working with the birthing person.
-
Select and apply relevant principles, concepts, theoretical frameworks and approaches to continuity of care and carer in maternity care and taking into account competing perspectives.
Universal Care 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
-
Apply in-depth knowledge and understanding of the anatomy and the physiological and psychological adaptations and apply these to pregnancy, childbearing & the newborn.
-
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and communicate culturally sensitive and individualised care for all birthing people, their partners and families.
-
Select and apply evidence based best practice to the public health role of the midwife in optimising the health and wellbeing to the care of the birthing people, their babies and the families.
Additional Care 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
-
Recognise changes that may lead to complications and additional care needs for the birthing person and newborn infants.
-
Understand the importance of the midwife’s role in first line management and timely collaboration with and referral to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency colleagues.
-
Understand the midwife’s ongoing responsibility for continuity and coordination of midwifery care.
Promoting Excellence 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Select and apply appropriate tools to critically explore and discuss clinical guidelines and research relating to infant care.
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Critically analyse and evaluate literature using appropriate methods, techniques and frameworks.
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Evaluate and apply leadership and change management strategies.
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Critically analyse and apply the specialist knowledge and information related to the Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE), applying this to the role of the NIPE practitioner.
Reflective Practitioner 3
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
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Organise and communicate complex midwifery and neonatal information to women, families practice supervisors, academic assessors, peers and the wider multi-disciplinary team.
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Synthesise complex information and ideas from practice and formulate coherent and evidence-based proposals to address issues.
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Demonstrate proficiency in midwifery care across the continuum under direct supervision of a qualified midwife/supervisor or assessor (MORA).
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Take responsibility for the timely recording of information for all aspects of the midwifery care and related professional activity.
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Apply a range of effective communication approaches with the birthing person, families, supervisors and assessors, responding appropriately to feedback and taking responsibility for incorporating relevant change into practice and behaviour
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
What will I be doing?
50%
Clinical practice
50%
Academic learning
Teaching
As a student at the University of Salford, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. We seek to create a stimulating and creative learning environment both in the University and on placement. Teaching, learning, assessment and student support will create equal and equitable opportunities for you to optimise your potential.
As a student on the BSc (Hons) Midwifery programme you will be taught alongside students on the MSc Midwifery (pre-registration) programme and will have some dedicated teaching and learning opportunities to reflect the level the level of study and learning required. The programme has a wide range of teaching and learning strategies appropriate to the undergraduate level of study. The teaching and learning strategies are underpinned by and reflect the programme philosophy, which has its roots in compassion focused care.
You will learn through a combination of: Lectures, seminars, problem-based learning, evidence-based practice, tutorials
Assessment
Assessment of theory and practice is continuous and varied. In the clinical area of this course you will need to meet the criteria laid down by the NMC. You will also be assessed academically using:
- Essays
- Exams
- Oral presentations
- Problem-based learning
Having successfully completed my midwifery degree at the University of Salford, I am now a newly qualified midwife, well-equipped to embark on my career journey. Throughout my time at the university, I gained invaluable knowledge and practical skills that have positioned me favourably for my professional endeavours. The unwavering support and guidance provided by the lecturers have been instrumental in my academic and personal growth. Their continuous assistance, right from the beginning to the culmination of the programme, played a pivotal role in achieving my first-class honours. I am filled with confidence as I step into the realm of midwifery, knowing that the comprehensive education and encouragement I received have prepared me adequately. My experience with the course at Salford has been nothing short of exceptional, and I am immensely grateful for the comprehensive preparation it has provided for my career in midwifery.
School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact.
Our courses are informed by the latest research and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.
Clinical Skills Room
Whether it's nursing or midwifery, it helps to be able to practice new skills in a safe environment under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. We have a number of clinical skills rooms that enhance your learning from taking blood pressure, to giving CPR and more complicated procedures.
We also have a home birth room which can be used to simulate giving birth at home or a water birth.
Birth simulators
We use a maternal and fetal simulation system called Lucina which allows you to appreciate the birthing experience from the onset of labour, through delivery, to the treatment of the mother after delivery.
Birthing simulators are used to ensure you understand the mechanisms involved in labour and birth and have an opportunity to simulate a birth and explore relevant issues and feelings in a non-clinical environment. Breech births and mechanisms for Occipto posterior positions can also be demonstrated with these simulators.
Models to simulate urethral catheterisation and cervical assessment also aim to develop initial competence to ensure confidence prior to undertaking the skills with mentor support in clinical practice.
We also have breastfeeding manikins to promote understanding of lactation and procedures such as hand expression of milk are available. These are part of the measures in place to ensure our students are educated in line with UNICEF's baby-friendly initiative.
What about after uni?
Our students have 100% employment rates on qualification both in local maternity services and across the UK including Channel Islands and Isle of Man.
Our students are welcomed across the world and have gone on to work in Australia, Spain, Dubai, Africa and many other countries.
Most of our students on qualification work as midwives in hospital and or the community setting or working in continuity of care teams providing care to a small caseload of women.
With experience many of our students have gained specialist midwife posts such as: Specialists Perinatal Mental Health Midwife, Outreach Midwife, Bereavement Midwife, Consultant Midwife, Research Midwife, Midwifery Lecturer and more.
Some midwives may go on to other related roles in services such as sexual health and health visiting, neonatal care and more.
Many of our students go on to postgraduate study, including master's and PhD, conducting research and publishing in peer reviewed journals adding to the midwifery evidence base.
Career Links
Throughout your placements, you will work alongside a midwife mentor in local maternity units where you will experience a wide variety of care-giving settings. You will be expected to work the same shift patterns as your mentor (including weekends and night duty) and will need to be able to travel to clinical placements.
You'll spend half of your time at the University and the other half working in the clinical area or community within local NHS Trusts. These could include:
- Royal Bolton Hospital
- Royal Oldham Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital (both part of Pennine Acute Trust)
- Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan
- Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport
- St Mary's Hospital, Manchester
- Tameside General Hospital
- Wythenshawe Hospital (University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust)
What You Need To Know
Applicant profile
Midwifery is not a nine-to-five job. Neither is being a student midwife:
- You will be expected to work shifts, even while you are training
- You don't get long holiday breaks, our course works on the basis of seven weeks annual leave per year
- Considerable travelling is required for hospital and community placements
As part of the application process, you may be invited to an interview.
Have a look at our top ten tips for preparing for your interview. If you are offered an interview following your application, you will be sent further information about what to expect.
It is desirable that you will have undertaken, or planned to undertake, some voluntary or care work prior to making your application. This should be demonstrated in your personal statement and will be discussed at the interview stage, should your application be successful.
English language requirements
International applicants will be required to show proficiency in English: IELTS 7.0 (with no individual component below 7.0).
GCSE
5 GCSEs at grade C/grade 4 or above, including mathematics, English language and science (must be achieved at point of application) Equivalents not accepted.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
128 (applications with predicted grades of 112 and above will be considered).
Your points must come from 3 A-levels (not including General Studies); points from AS Level or extended projects will not be counted.
BTEC National Diploma
DDD
Access to Nursing and Midwifery courses
45 Level 3 credits at Distinction, achieved in one cycle and studied in the last five years.
Scottish Highers
Equivalence of 128 UCAS points (applications with predicted grades of 112 and above will be considered)
Irish Leaving Certificate
Equivalence of 128 UCAS points (applications with predicted grades of 112 and above will be considered)
T-level
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need T- level – Health – Midwifery specialism - Distinction
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme, and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
You must also have 5 GCSEs at grade C/grade 4 or above, including mathematics, English language and science (must be achieved at point of application).
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
An applicant who does not possess one of the qualifications which satisfies the General Academic Entry Requirement may be considered through the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) (both Certified Prior Learning and/or one Prior Experiential Learning) as per the university’s Admissions and Retention Policy.
How much?
Additional funding support for Healthcare Students
The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying the following courses:
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Midwifery
- Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing/social work)
Visit the NHSBSA website for further information.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,250.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,040.00per year |
Additional costs
For more information about uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our page of: Information for Students
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for International Students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.