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MSc - Midwifery: Practice Development

The MSc Midwifery: Practice Development programme was developed, informed and has evolved on the basis of collaboration with employers, stakeholders and students to meet the educational needs of registered midwives. It will see you gain the qualities and knowledge needed to become a high-calibre midwifery professional, able to confidently deal with the changing dynamics of the healthcare economy.

Our aim is to help you enhance your professional prospects and enable you to play an active role in developing your own midwifery practice. The facility to study modules online from your own home, at a time that will fit around your shift pattern and day-to-day commitments, further supports access to this advanced learning. We have extensive experience as CPD distance learning providers. All tutors are experienced in both clinical and academic practice.

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Course Overview

As well as the core modules, you'll be able to take your pick from our list of optional midwifery-specific modules, or from the standalone modules belonging to the department. The core modules make up 100 credits of the course, and include a 20-credit research methods module, a 60-credit dissertation module, and a 20-credit module in either leadership or evidence-based practice. This leaves you with 80 credits to study optional modules.

You will need to complete an induction prior to starting your first module. We have a comprehensive online induction package to welcome you to both the university and your programme of study.

On this course you will...

Tailor your learning experience by choosing from a range of modules to suit your interests and career aspirations.
Enjoy the flexibility of modular learning, allowing you to study at your own comfortable pace, without committing to the full course.
Benefit from the expertise of experienced practitioners and academics with strong experience of working in the NHS.
Receive dedicated support and guidance from a personal tutor throughout your studies.
Take advantage of our extensive experience as CPD distance learning providers, with a comprehensive and well-established online study skills package available for you to use.

Download our Prospectus

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationOnline
Institute Institute of Health
Delivery StyleBlended Learning
Course Duration Part-time: 2-3 Years
Course Start PointJanuary
April
September
AwardMSc
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysAll

Minimum entry requirements

2:2

Honours degree

Tuition fees

£8,325

UK | MSc

£925 per 20 credit module. Price is for 2024/25 year, subsequent year fee is subject to inflation.

£13,500

International | MSc

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

There are both compulsory and core modules which must be taken throughout the programme. These modules can be taken in either Year one, two or three. In addition, there are optional modules that can be undertaken throughout year one, two or three. The dissertation module is usually undertaken in the final year of study.

Compulsory modules: Research Methods (20 credits at level 7); Dissertation (60 credits at level 7).

You must also study one of the following modules: Evidence Based Practice (20 credits at level 7); Leadership (20 credits at level 7).

All modules (either core, compulsory or optional) can be taken in any year of the programme. The following year 1 module structure is an example only and can be tailored to your individual learning needs and choices.

Year one

Research Methods
This module will enable you to select, devise, analyse and synthesise research and evidence- based practice findings. You will develop an advanced understanding of selected research methods and will have opportunities for acquiring appropriate research skills through study and practical experience.
Leadership Through Transformational Learning
The aim of this module is to enable you to understand the concepts of contemporary leadership, transformative learning and reflection as it relates to your personal leadership style, including links to developing and understanding professional identity.
Examination of the Newborn (optional module, which can be taken in any year of the programme)
The aim of the module is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to effectively and safely undertake examination of the newborn/6-8-week examination.
Professional Midwifery Advocate (optional module, which can be taken in any year of the programme)
This module prepares registered midwives to achieve the standards and competencies required to successfully undertake the role of the Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA).

Year two

There are both compulsory and core modules which must be taken in either year one, two or three which are outlined above. There are a number of optional modules which can be taken in any year of study.

Please refer to the programme specification (linked within the 'Key Details' box above) to see specific modules.

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

Scheduled learning and teaching encompasses a variety of approaches to learning and teaching across the framework. Strategies include online and/or class-based workshop activities, facilitated discussion and debate, tutorials, guided study and reading, work-based learning, and reflection on practice.

Learning technology is utilised to promote your learning and achievement, for example through the use of mobile technology, podcasts, webinars.

Learning and teaching on this course will also:

Provide active learning and social learning opportunities
Provide appropriate engagement and facilitation models for distance, online and flexible learning students
Provide opportunities for you to select modules appropriate to your professional context thus fostering employability prospects
Foster aspiration and career readiness through work-based, experiential and inter-professional learning
Be relevant to the needs of your workplace, emphasising problem-solving and the interaction of theory and practice
Use research-informed teaching, drawing on health, social care and workplace knowledge and expertise

The framework is successfully delivered by a team of specialist, experienced lecturers, ensuring learning and teaching methods are contemporary and contextually relevant.

How you will be assessed

Summative and Formative Assessment Methods:

Are designed to provide a creative and balanced strategy across the programme.
Provide a range of authentic, engaging and challenging formative assessment activities. As well as being important for learning, these promote the value of formative assessment and contribute to the successful completion of the summative assignment task(s). Examples include quizzes, group work, peer review, presentations, reflection, tutorials and online activities, which are designed to generate feedback on performance in order to improve learning.
Enable the valid testing of the programme learning outcomes, through a variety of summative written assignments including, for example, portfolio, case study, reports, reflective accounts, response to peer review, academic essays, and appraisal of evidence.
Are relevant to the needs of the workplace, allowing for authentic assessment and effective formative feedback to facilitate your success.
Encourage you to critically reflect on your knowledge and skills development, in order to develop your ability to make sound professional judgements.

Assessment load is minimised for your benefit whilst upholding robust academic standards.

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Location
Online Learning
Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.
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MSc - Midwifery: Practice Development