About this course

This course will teach you how to become a midwife. You'll gain the skills to make a lasting impact on the lives of women and their families through your in-depth understanding of the physical, mental and social aspects of healthy and complex pregnancy and childbirth.

Ranked first in the UK for Midwifery (Guardian University Guide 2025)

This midwifery course is split equally between campus study and clinical placements. Many placements will be in the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton, but you'll experience a wide variety of other settings, including community midwifery, clinics and GP practices. There’s also the option to gain experience abroad in your third year.

Research is a core element of your degree, and you’ll be able to do 2 research-based assignments on midwifery topics of your choice.

The course takes a ‘whole-person’ approach. Your clinical practice will be enriched by an understanding of the social and psychological aspects of childbirth. You’ll learn about the midwife’s role in public health and we’ll encourage the development of your leadership and critical thinking skills.

This BSc Midwifery degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). On graduation you'll be able to register as a registered midwife.

Our assessments are designed to meet the different ways people learn. We’re an Autism Ambassador – part of a group of organisations in Hampshire working to improve outcomes for people with autism.

Funding to support your learning

Subject to eligibility, UK and Irish students joining this degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for an additional maintenance loan to help with living costs.

Additionally, UK students studying this course at University of Southampton may well be able to receive a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS and entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending a practice placement reimbursed. Students with parental responsibility for one or more children may receive a £2,000 Parental Support payment per student, per academic year. Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website

If you are normally resident in Ireland, you are encouraged to apply for financial support from SUSI.

Support for students with a disability/health condition

We are fully committed to supporting students with disabilities who wish to join programmes of study which require the acquisition and practise of professional competencies.

We offer students personal, informal advice by telephone, email or face to face, and we are happy to discuss your specific needs prior to you applying. This could include how your specific needs may impact on your ability to meet the clinical competencies. This will not affect your application in any way, but may help you to select the right programme for you.

Please contact the admissions team for further details.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Accreditations

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

ABB including one accepted science subject or AAB if not studying an accepted science subject. A pass in the science practical required where applicable.

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB with grade A in the EPQ

OR

BBB including an accepted science subject and grade A in the EPQ.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level.

OR

Pass with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level including one accepted science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an acceptable science A-Level subject or DD in the National Diploma plus A. D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AB in A-level subjects to include an acceptable science subject or D In the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA, DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma in either Health and Social Care or Applied Science.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

QCF BTEC

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an acceptable science A-Level subject or DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A, D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in A-level subjects to include an acceptable science subject or D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA. DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma in either Health and Social Care or Applied Science.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) and Science (minimum grade 5/B) if not offered at a level 3 qualification.

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 5 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

A-levels

AAB or ABB to include an accepted science subject

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB with grade A in the EPQ

OR

BBB including an accepted science subject and grade A in the EPQ.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB or BBB to include an accepted science subject

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level.

OR

Pass with 32 points overall with 16 points at Higher Level including one accepted science.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus B in an acceptable science A-Level subject or DD in the National Diploma plus A. D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AB in A-level subjects to include an acceptable science subject or D In the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AA, DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma in either Health and Social Care or Applied Science.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

Acceptable sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Psychology and Sociology.

QCF BTEC

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus B in an acceptable science A-Level subject or DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A, D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in A-level subjects to include an acceptable science subject or D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA. DDD in the BTEC Extended Diploma in either Health and Social Care or Applied Science.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) and Science (minimum grade 5/B) if not offered at a level 3 qualification.

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 5 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You’ll take a number of core modules each year, and they must all be passed in order to complete your midwife training. Around half of your time will be spent learning on campus. For the rest of the time you’ll be on practice placements in various clinical settings.

Placements

You’ll spend a minimum of 2,300 hours in clinical placements over the course of the 3 years. Most of your placements will be with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, mainly at the Princess Anne Hospital. You'll also work within the community and be expected to accompany community midwives visiting women at home.

The Princess Anne Hospital has been rated one of the best hospitals in the world for maternity care (Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2019).

You’ll work the normal shift patterns of the organisation you’re sent to. For example, if the supervising midwife is working weekends and nights on 12-hour shifts, you’ll do the same.

Learn more about clinical placements.

Year 1 overview

This year you’ll do 3 clinical placements, so from the start you’ll be in contact with women and their families and learn in real-world settings.

You’ll also:

build a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology
learn about the biological, psychological and sociological processes of pregnancy and birth
understand the anatomy and physiology of the breast and lactation
begin to look at medicines and their management
explore the social and public health role of the midwife

Year 2 overview

This year you’ll do another 3 clinical placements. You’ll also choose a unit of study that you feel develops your professional practice. This may include a short observational visit abroad to see maternity care in a different country, working with a woman-centred organisation in the UK, or gaining new knowledge or skills that you can use in midwifery practice.

In your core modules you’ll:

complete a research assignment on a midwifery topic of your choice, looking at the importance of evidence to inform practice
develop the skills to deal with obstetric and neonatal emergencies
learn how to identify and manage pregnancy and labour for women with complex health needs

Year 3 overview

The third year is about getting ready for professional practice. You’ll do another 3 clinical placements. These will include experience of managing your own small caseload.

You’ll also:

do a research-based assignment on a midwifery topic of your choice
explore the wider context of professional practice, looking at ethics, governance, leadership and innovation

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 4)

At the heart of this interprofessional module is the belief that all health care students should not only share the same core values and skills that underpin their professional practice, but they should also have learning opportunities that enable them t...

Health Sciences for Midwifery Practice

This module enables you to underpin safe and effective midwifery practice with the appropriate science base. This includes a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the human body, and the ability to apply that science to how the biologic...

Humanising Safe and Compassionate Care

This module provides theoretical underpinning that will enable you to promote and protect health and wellbeing in individuals, communities and populations. It will also consider vulnerable groups, mental capacity, ethical considerations and psychological...

Practice Experience 1

Following a values based philosophical approach, the practice experience provides a work-based environment to enable you to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills learnt in academic module/s. It also aims to develop, consolidate, and enhance the prac...

Practice Experience 2

Following a professional and values based philosophical approach, the practice experience provides a work-based environment to enable you to apply the theoretical knowledge and skills learnt in academic module/s. It also aims develop, consolidate, and en...

Respectful Universal Midwifery Care

This module introduces the core principles and scope of midwifery practice in order for you to contribute to the provision of safe, competent and evidence-based care throughout the childbearing continuum.

Year Requirement Module 1

This is a core module for attendance and the completion of required NMC activities, skills and EU and programme requirements. This module does not contribute to classification and will result in a record of ‘achieved’ or ‘not achieved’ however, you are re...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

10%

Scheduled learning & teaching

40%

Independent learning

50%

Placement

How we'll assess you

essays
individual and group projects
teamwork
written and practical exams
placement assessment

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

13%

Written exam

35%

Coursework

52%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Marie Naish is the course leader.

Careers

This course is approved as fully meeting the academic requirements for registration as a registered midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The NHS is the UK’s largest employer of midwives, and many of our graduates work in NHS hospitals. You could also work as a community midwife, or be based in a local clinic, children’s centre or GP practice.

As your knowledge and experience increase, you could become a consultant midwife. Alternatively, you may choose to focus on research, as there are fast-track opportunities for high-achievers to enrol in our doctoral programmes.

More information about careers in midwifery can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year’s study:

UK and Irish students pay £9,250.
International students pay £23,400.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

Your tuition fees do not cover:

suitable shoes for your practice placements
your own fob watch
your enhanced DBS certificate
your professional registration fee (on graduation)

On your placements you can claim travel and accommodation expenses over and above your normal daily travel costs to university. But there are limits on what you can claim. Learn more about placement costs and expenses.

There will also be other costs not covered by the tuition fee. These may include:

stationery
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: B720
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

This course is not open to applicants for 2024 entry. Search similar degrees by browsing our course finder.

We will also consider how your personal values are aligned with the profession.

Some candidates will be invited to a selection day, which will include an interview. If the admissions tutor decides to invite you to a selection day you’ll receive an email. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

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n

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About this course

Funding to support your learning

Support for students with a disability/health condition

Foundation year

Accreditations

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Learn more about this subject area

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026