Postgraduate MSc

Midwifery Post RN (pre-registration)

Attendance

Full-time

Course

Two year

Next enrolment

January 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

On successful completion of this Master’s 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 pregnant women/birthing people, their partners, and their 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 women/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. 

The MSc Midwifery Post RN (pre-registration) programme is aimed at Adult Nursing graduates (NMC registered) wishing to pursue a career in midwifery. This is an opportunity to study midwifery at master's level, providing a strong basis for a future career in clinical work, alongside research, education, management, leadership or consultancy. 

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).
Placement

options available

Course accreditations

This is for you if...

1.

You want to learn to practise autonomously, preparing for a career as a registered midwife.

2.

You want to develop a higher level of academic skills and knowledge to provide evidence-based care throughout the pregnancy continuum.

3.

You are looking to develop the clinical skills to provide evidence-based care throughout the pregnancy continuum.

Course details

All about the course

This course will enable you to meet the requirements for registration on the midwifery part of the NMC Professional Register.

It is underpinned by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council pre-registration midwifery standards and will provide a broad, balanced, coherent, and diverse experience of midwifery practice. Each year consists of a combination of theory and practice-based modules. You will be expected to maintain a portfolio of personal and professional development (PDP). This course also includes an assessment of clinical skills and medicine management.

Midwifery practice proficiencies will be assessed within the clinical setting and recorded in an online document the MORA (Midwifery Ongoing Record of Achievement). Academic modules follow the 6 Domains of the NMC Pre-registration standards and will prepare you to achieve the clinical competencies throughout each year in order to progress towards fulfilling the role of accountable, autonomous practitioner at the point of registration. You will progress from year one as a novice to an accountable practitioner at the end of year two.

In the second year (trimesters two and three), you will complete a 60-credit 'Complex Midwifery Care Project'. This comprises four 15-credit modules as detailed below. 

Year one

Accountability, Autonomy and Professionalism 1 Post RN

Module aims: 

1. To systematically apply advanced awareness of ethical and professional values and code of conduct when working with the birthing person, infants and their families. 

2. To apply and develop advanced interpersonal, team and networking skills to strategically enhance your contribution to the role of the midwife and develop effective communication promoting kindness and compassion. 

3. To take responsibility for leading systematic and critical evaluation of own and other’s capabilities, performance and development applying strategic approaches in complex contexts related to fitness to practice. 

Safe and Effective Care 1 Post RN

Module aims: 

  1. To conceptualise the concepts, theory and evidence of the continuum from pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum and the early weeks of the newborn’s life including infant feeding. 

  1. To apply advanced knowledge and be able to effectively apply the concepts, theory and evidence related to creating an environment that is safe, respectful, kind, nurturing and empowering. 

  1. Systematically apply knowledge and be able to critically evaluate and support normal physiological processes to promote positive outcomes for the birthing person, infants and their families including the impact of breastfeeding.

Universal Care 1 Post RN

Module aims: 

  1. To apply systematic knowledge and understanding of advanced principles, concepts evidence and specialist theories related to working in partnership with birthing persons, newborn infants and their families. 

  1. To apply systematic knowledge and understanding of advanced principles, concepts evidence and specialist theories related to the public health and the requirement to promote psychological and physical health and well-being. 

  1. To have an understanding of the theories, concepts & evidence related to working in partnership with birthing persons, newborn infants and their families. 

  1. To have an understanding of the theories, concepts and evidence related to the public health and the requirement to promote psychological and physical health and well-being. 

Additional Care 1 Post RN

 Module aims: 

  1. To have systematic critical understanding and of the changes that may lead to additional care needs for women/birthing people and newborn infants. 

  1. To conceptualise, synthesis and apply the advanced principles of the midwife’s role in first line management and timely collaboration with and referral to multi-disciplinary and multi-agency colleagues related to Safeguarding. 

  1. To select and apply advanced problem-solving skills to sharing specialist information for women and newborn infants with additional needs. 

  1. To have systematic critical understanding of the midwife’s ongoing responsibility for continuity and coordination of midwifery care and the additional physical, psychological and social needs of women and families. 

Promoting Excellence 1 Post RN

Module aims: 

  1. To apply, reflect on and develop advanced interpersonal, team, networking and leadership skills to strategically enhance team working and continuous development. 

  1. To systematically synthesise advanced knowledge and evaluation related to midwives’ contributions to the quality and safety of maternity care, avoiding harm and promoting positive outcomes and experiences 

  1. To act autonomously; undertaking a critical evaluation of your own and others capabilities, performance and development and take responsibility for continuous professional development and support and supervision of others. 

Reflective Practitioner 1 Post RN

Module aims: 

  1. To achieve 80% of midwifery skills and 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) 

  1. To take responsibility for leading the systematic and critical evaluation of your own capabilities, critically reflecting on your learning and performance applying strategic management of your professional development and practice using established models of reflection. 

  1. To apply and develop advanced interpersonal and teamworking skills, select and adapt appropriate advanced problem-solving strategies applying appropriate strength- based approaches and compassionate self-care. 

Year two

Accountability, Autonomy and Professionalism 2 Post RN

On completion of this module you will be able to: 

  1. Apply systematic understanding of knowledge and specialist theoretical, ethical and professional values to the legal and regulatory frameworks governing midwifery practice. 

  1. Apply and develop advanced interpersonal, team and networking skills contributing to working in partnership with the birthing person and families in a way that is diversity sensitive and treating people with dignity and respect within complex and emergency/high risk situations and contexts. 

  1. Select and apply advanced principles, concepts, theoretical frameworks and approaches to the physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual factors related to pregnancy and childbearing. 

  1. Systematically understand of knowledge and specialist theoretical and methodological approaches to addressing maternal and infant mortality in UK and globally. 

Safe and Effective Care 2 Post RN

On completion of this module, you will be able to: 

  1. Apply advanced principles, theoretical frameworks and concepts related to midwifery philosophies of care and formulate innovative proposals to implement continuity and caseload models of care. 

  1. Critically evaluate and apply the theories, evidence and challenges of collaborative multi-disciplinary, multi-agency working which promotes respectful, safe care and be able to apply these to practice. 

  1. Conceptualise and critically evaluate the theories, evidence and challenges of safe and effective partnership working with women and families and be able to use advanced problem-solving skills to apply these to practice. 

  1. Systematically and critical analyse and evaluate data and evidence, applying this to models of midwifery and maternity care, considering the potential impacts on safety and effectiveness on birthing people, their infants, and families. 

The Complex Midwifery Project

This project is made up of four modules in trimesters two and three of the final year (Universal Care, Additional Care, Promoting Excellence and Reflective Practitioner). There are 60 credits in total for this project. 

The Universal Care module will prepare you to create a systematised literature review on a complex midwifery care topic, demonstrating your research skills including: investigation and literature searching, critical analysis and evaluation of specialist information and data, and application of this evidence to inform future midwifery practice.  

The Additional Care module will prepare you to undertake a viva on a series of complex midwifery care scenarios, demonstrating your systematic application of advanced problem-solving strategies, methods and techniques to critically evaluate problems in unpredictable and complex practice contexts.  

The Promoting Excellence module will prepare you to present a critical evaluation of your development as a Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) practitioner, demonstrating your systematic application of knowledge and specialist theory, exploring interrelationships with other relevant health professionals and taking responsibility as a leader in the care provision for newborn babies and their families in complex and unpredictable contexts.  

The Reflective Practitioner module will prepare you to achieve your midwifery practice proficiencies (via the MORA) and create a portfolio of evidence. This will include critical reflections on the development of your research capacity, leadership skills and midwifery practice. This evidence and reflection will enable you to apply your advanced level of knowledge and skills to practice and prepare you to become a qualified autonomous midwife. 

Universal Care 2 Post RN

On completion of this module, you will be able to: 

  1. Apply a systematic understanding of knowledge and specialist theory and methodological approaches to the anatomy and physiological and psycho-social adaptations related to pregnancy and childbearing.  

  1. Apply advanced awareness of ethical and professional values and code of conduct to personal & strategic decisions, actions responsibilities, outcomes and dilemmas working proactively with others to ensure culturally sensitive and individualised care for all birthing persons, their partners and families. 

  1. Select and apply advanced principles, concepts, theories and evidence to understanding of the theories, strategies and evidence to critically develop innovative methods of promoting public health, optimising the health and wellbeing of birthing persons, their infants and families. 

  1. Systematically and critically analyse and evaluate incomplete and contradictory data and evidence using advanced methodologies and methods to explain and support conclusions and recommendations in unpredictable complex contexts. 

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%

Practice

50%

Theory

Teaching

As a post-RN master’s student at the University of Salford, you are part of an inclusive learning community that recognises diversity. We seek to create an inspiring, intellectually stimulating and creative learning environment both in the University and on placement. Master’s teaching, learning, assessment and student support will create equal and equitable opportunities for you to optimise your potential.  

The Post RN master’s programme has a wide range of teaching and learning strategies appropriate to master's pre-registration level 7 study. These are underpinned by the programme philosophy, which has its roots in compassion-focused care.

Teaching methods may include: 

  • Face-to-face teaching: lecturers, group activity, case-based learning.
  • Face-to-face seminars and quality circles.
  • Clinical skills teaching in simulation suite: high and low fidelity simulated learning.
  • Peer learning and support across year groups.

Assessment

Midwifery requires a diverse range of skills and the programme is designed to nurture and develop these in you. This course allows for a variety of assessments related to the real world, depending on the module undertaken, and includes:

  • Exams
  • Oral exams
  • Essays/written assignments
  • Presentations
  • Simulation clinical setting assessments
  • Portfolio development
  • Workshops
  • Blogs
  • Video/film/use of media
  • Group assessments

The 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.

We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

Facilities

Simulation Suite and Immersive Suite

The University has state-of-the-art simulation facilities for clinical skills and simulation scenarios in a variety of high and low-risk environments. The immersive suite, one of only a handful of its kind in UK universities – will enable students to practice dealing with any kind of incident in a virtual setting. A series of cameras project realistic images onto three walls of the room as well as onto the floor, while sounds can be piped into the room by specialist technicians working from a separate control room.

The room can be transformed into anything from the back of an ambulance transporting women between hospitals or from home to hospital, or to a home birth environment in someone's lounge. 

The dedicated counselling suite with therapy and psychotherapy rooms can also be utilised for learning such as debriefing and coaching sessions.

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 treatment of the mother after the birth.

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

Our students have 100% employment rates on qualification both in local maternity services and across the UK including the 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 hospitals, community settings 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 & 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, conducting research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals adding to the midwifery evidence base. 

A taste of what you could become

A Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwife

An Outreach Midwife

A Bereavement Midwife

A Consultant Midwife

A Research Midwife

A Midwifery Lecturer

Career Links

This course has close links with the Greater Manchester and East Cheshire Local Maternity System, as well as NHS Trusts including: Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, and Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Requirements

What you need to know

Applicants will be NMC registered Adult Nurses, with evidence of study within the last 3-5 years. You should have some nursing experience of caring for birthing persons, children and families in settings such as gynaecological and sexual health services would be of value. Newly qualified adult nurses would be considered.

Applicants should be of good health and character, have excellent communication skills, and have a good understanding of the varied and complex role of the midwife.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Clearance is a condition of entry on to the programme.

As part of the selection process, you may be invited to interview, in line with NMC requirements. 

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

You need an undergraduate degree in Adult Nursing at 2:1 or above (evidence of degree level of study would be considered) and currently be registered as a nurse with the NMC.

GCSE

Grade C/level 4 in GCSE English and mathematics (no equivalents permitted) achieved at the point of application.  

How much?

This MSc Midwifery Post RN (pre-registration) is fully funded by Health Education England (HEE). HEE will provide salary support for all students aligned to the lower band 5 salary and tuition fee for the length of the course. Students eligible for this funding offer will not be able to access the Learning Support Fund (LSF).

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,250.00per year
Full-time home 2025/26 £9,250.00per year

Additional costs

You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. 

 

Apply now

All Set? Let's Apply

Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:

By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545

Enrolment dates

January 2025