Through a contemporary and innovative curriculum, we aim to prepare post-graduate midwifery practitioners who are fully accountable as the lead professional for the care and support of women, newborn infants, partners and their families, helping to ensure that care is responsive to emerging evidence and future developments.
You will advance evidence-based practice through critical evaluation of current research, advanced scholarship, innovative practice and originality of thought.
You will be working in partnership with women, enabling their views, preferences, and decisions, helping to strengthen their capabilities and you will effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary / multiagency teams to optimise outcomes.
To meet the needs of women, newborns and their families within our society, our programme reflects a dynamic student-centred approach to education. In preparation for autonomous practice within the maternity services with emphasis on active learning focussing on:
Leadership
Management
Education
Research-awareness
Professional reflection
Critical thinking and expert knowledge
Practice placements
Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 1: 18 weeks
Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 2: 20 weeks
Total number of practice placement weeks in Part 3: 24 weeks
Overall total number of practice placement weeks in programme: 62 weeks
Part 1 (Year 1)
In Part 1 you will receive specialist education in relation to life and social sciences, adaptation to pregnancy, health and public health issues and practical midwifery skills. Key public health issues including breastfeeding, smoking, alcohol, blood borne infections, maternal nutrition, drug addiction, gender-based violence and poverty will be explored in relation to their effect on childbirth. You will then be introduced to midwifery practice within the context of normal midwifery care during the pre-conceptual, prenatal, intranatal and postnatal periods including care of the newborn.
Modules are at SCQF Level 10
• Research and Professionalism 1 (30 credits)
• Analysis of Anatomy and Physiology (30 credits)
• Exploring Concepts of Health and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Reflecting on Essential Midwifery Practice (40 credits)
Interim Awards Breakdown
• Graduate Certificate in Health Studies: successful completion of 60 credits at SCQF Level 10.
• Graduate Diploma in Health Studies: successful completion of 120 credits at SCQF Level 10.
NB: No interim awards carry professional recognition from the NMC.
Part 2 (Year 2)
The focus of Part 2 prepares you to assess, manage, support and care for women whose childbirth experience has been compromised due to complex medical, obstetric, psychological and/or social ill-health. This encompasses the underlying pathophysiology and the role of the midwife in addressing the complex physical, psychological, sociological, cultural and spiritual needs and implications in relation to pregnancy and birth outcome. There is continued development of professional, ethical and legal issues relating to compromised midwifery practice.
Modules are at SCQF Level 11
• Research and Professionalism 2 (30 credits)
• Appraising Complex Midwifery (30 credits)
• Critical Concepts of Perinatal Mental Health (20 credits)
• Analysis of Complex Clinical Practice (40 credits)
Interim Awards Breakdown
• Following successful completion of all Part 1 modules and 60 credits at SCQF Level 11 students may exit with a Post Graduate Certificate in Maternal Health (120 credits at SCQF Level 10 and 60 credits at SCQF Level 11)#.
• Following successful completion of all Part 1 and Part 2 modules, students may exit with a Postgraduate Diploma in Maternal Health (120 credits at SCQF Level 10 and 120 credits at SCQF Level 11).
NB: No interim awards carry professional recognition from the NMC.
Part 3 (Year 3)
The overall aim of Part 3 is to consolidate theory and practice learned in the preceding two parts and further enhance your knowledge and understanding of the professional role of the midwife. This will include autonomous decision-making, management/leadership strategies and critical thinking/analysis. MSc pre-registration students will be prepared to challenge existing practice, develop new ideas and work creatively and innovatively to advance practice.
You will undertake a Dissertation module comprising of a substantive project in the form of a Research Protocol that will enable you to demonstrate your expert knowledge of the research process by detailing a plan for an original research study where the topic area is chosen by yourself and should relate to midwifery practice.
Modules are at SCQF Level 11
• MSc Dissertation Project (60 credits)
• Meeting Family Needs and Global Perspectives (20 credits)
• Critical Skills for Registered Practice (40 credits)
Following successful completion of Parts 1, 2 and 3 students will exit the programme with the following qualification:
• MSc Midwifery with Registration - Academic Degree Qualification (120 credits at SCQF at Level 10 and 240 credits at SCQF Level 11).
• Registered Midwife – Students will have 5 to apply to register with the NMC. In the event they fail to register within 5 , they will have to undertake additional education and training.
Practice-based Learning Placements
Practice-based learning is integral to the content and credibility of the pre-registration post-graduate MSc Midwifery with Registration programme and is achieved through the 50% practice placement component. Students must achieve specified clinical proficiencies in each part before progression into the next part of the programme.
Students are assessed using the Midwifery Practice Assessment Document (MPAD) Scotland. The purpose of the MPAD is to provide a systematic record of students practice learning progress and achievement of proficiencies and skills throughout each practice placement.
Our practice partners are located in the following Health Boards:
• NHS Ayrshire & Arran
• NHS Dumfries & Galloway
• NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
• NHS Highland
• NHS Lanarkshire
Within any of these health board areas, you are normally expected to work a 37.5 hour week and work the shift pattern in line with your Practise Supervisors and Practice Assessors. You may work either 8 hour or 12 hour shifts according to the placement. You will experience 24 hour/7 day care, enabling you to develop an understanding of the needs and experiences of women, newborn infants and their families throughout as 24-hour period. There is at least one practice placement outwith the acute maternity sector, in a rural midwifery setting.
Teaching and Assessment
Delivery of our taught MSc pre-registration programme will include teaching at a more advanced scholarship level. You will be taught through a combination of lectures and practical workshops in a simulated environment. Your experience will also be deepened and broadened using additional tutorials and seminars, which will include a wider perspective on issues such as:
• Management
• Leadership
• Clinical governance
• Education
• Supervision innovation and the development of new insights
In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate advanced research awareness throughout the programme and will complete an element of personal research/project work involving the development of new ideas/knowledge.
Learning and Teaching
• Scheduled learning
• Independent study
• Practice Placement
Assessment
• Written and online class tests
• Oral presentations
• Written reports
• Coursework
• Academic posters
• Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
Course Structure
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.
MSc Midwifery Course Structure
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