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Midwifery education at York offers you:

• A BA (Hons) degree, with a strong focus on developing your interpersonal and communication skills
• A uniquely integrated curriculum, combining practice and theory 
• A ‘Baby Friendly’ accredited programme – a prestigious UNICEF award for excellence in infant feeding educational content
• Excellent standards of one-to-one mentoring in clinical practice, plus a full range of small group, interactive learning and teaching methods.

The skills you gain at York will equip you to develop as a safe, clinically competent, practitioner with the potential to lead professional maternity care. We aim to produce midwives with strong interpersonal skills, able to work in partnership with women and families, respecting diversity of social, cultural and ethnic background.

Opportunities to study abroad

You will have the opportunity to undertake an elective placement at the end of year two and this may be in another country, subject to self-funding.

Download a copy of our brochure

What you'll study

Each year is made up of four terms, the first six terms of the programme focus on the care of women and families throughout the normal pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal adaptation to motherhood. The emphasis is on facilitating the development of knowledge, skills and understanding of normality so that you can then be alert to situations and clinical presentations that deviate from this.

Subsequent modules introduce the theory and skills required when caring for women experiencing complicated maternities. You will access practice areas that support this development, for example, the Special Care Baby Unit and Antenatal Day Assessment Unit.

During the third year, your learning will focus on how the midwife can facilitate optimal maternal and neonatal health in complex social circumstances. You will explore the concept of skilled companionship in midiwfery and its application to practice. You will also have the opportunity to caseload a select group of clients with the aim to offer continuity of care throughout the childbrith continuum.

How you'll be taught

Theoretical Learning

Clinical practice and theoretical learning are integrated throughout the programme each year comprising 45 programmed weeks.

A diverse range of teaching methods are used to achieve learning outcomes, including lectures, seminars and group work.  For theoretical modules we achieve 20% contact time which is usually classroom based or within the CSU.   The remaining time is dedicated study time for reading and completion of relevent tasks.

Clinical Practice

• you will be placed in maternity care settings from the first term of the programme, supported and supervised by a clinical midwifery mentor
• clinical experience will be gained in both hospitals and community settings throughout North Yorkshire, giving you the opportunity to observe and experience a range of midwifery practices and philosophies of management and care
• you will also access medical and surgical nursing placements
• you will have the opportunity to undertake an elective placement of your choosing
• in your third year you will have the opportunity to caseload a small group of clients with the aim of providing continuity of care through the childbirth continuum.

You will also be able to learn and practise your skills in a dedicated Clinical Simulation Unit (CSU) based within the Department at York. You will be supported by a personal supervisor and the module leaders within the academic setting, and by link lecturers and named clinical mentors within all of the practice areas.

Learning Resources

Our libraries provide study space and a wide range of resources to support you in your studies. The J.B. Morrell Library on campus contains extensive collections of books and print journals.

In addition, the University Library also provides access to a wide range of electronic resources. These include over 4,000 electronic journals as well as research databases.

How you'll be assessed

A diverse range of assessment methods are used to achieve and demonstrate learning outcomes. These include clinical analysis, exams, case studies, presentations, use of the virtual learning environment (VLE) and vivas.

Individual written assessment feedback will be provided to you for every piece of summatively assessed work, with the exception of closed examinations.  In addition your feedback may be provided verbally. Verbal feedback can be on a one-to-one basis with academic member of staff or delivered to you on a group basis.

Careers and employability

The Department has an excellent record in students achieving employment after their pre-registration midwifery programme.  Over the past two years, all of our students have found employment with the majority securing employment by the end of their degree programme.

Many go into careers with NHS Trusts in North Yorkshire or pursue both national and international opportunities. There is also the option of independent midwifery practice.

How to apply

Click on the how to apply link for more information.

Entry requirements

Mature students

We receive many applications from mature students who are either changing their career or returning to study while raising a family.  Midwifery is a subject that has wide ranging appeal and we value a broad span of age groups.  If you are a mature student you have a wealth of life experiences and knowledge to draw upon.