Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

4 Higher Grades AABB or equivalent including English.
Maths /Life skills Maths/Application of Maths at least at standard grade 2 or above, Intermediate 2 at C or above or National 5.
Maths /Life skills Maths/Application of Maths at least at standard grade 2 or above, Intermediate 2 at C or above or National 5.

or GCE

GCE- A Levels CCC plus GCSEs in Maths, English Language and English Literature

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

If Applicant has completed module HF2434 or FN2734 Essential Skills for Care Practice in HNC, this satisfies Maths requirement.
HNC in Care and Administrative Practice is preferred although other HNCs will be considered, PLUS Higher English. If Applicant has passed Communication and Literature 1 at level 6 modules in HNC will accept an alternative Higher
HND requirements are same as HNC but do not require additional Higher English

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

All applicants must satisfy NMC entry requirements as per NMC Standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes. This is to ensure applicants’ health and character are sufficient to enable safe practice on entering the programme, this includes satisfactory occupational health assessments and criminal record checks. They must also demonstrate proficiency in English language and have the ability to develop digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes (NMC, 2019a, Part 3).

For applicants whose first language is not English and for programmes that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS or Occupational English Test (OET)*.For such courses, the IELTS score is as follows: overall score of 7.0score of at least 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and no less than 6.5 in writing
* Note that the Occupational English Test (OET) will now be accepted in addition to IELTS as proof of a Nurse's English Language Competence (NMC, 2019a Part 3).
There is no Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) onto the BSc Midwifery Programme. Students must undertake all 3 years of the programme for entry onto the NMC register (NMC, 2019a).
All applications for the pre-registration programme apply through the UCAS system and the School adheres to the time scales set by UCAS and the University that are guided by the central admissions department.

Applicants are also required to undertake a values based group interview process.

Further desirable skills pre-application

Care experience in either an employment or voluntary capacity.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work as part of a team.

General Overview

The School of Health and Life Sciences is the largest in Scotland and provides midwifery education for all of the West of Scotland. We work in partnership with five Health Boards and with other practice learning partners. The midwifery curriculum is the result of collaborative working with our NHS partners, service users and midwifery students.The Programme Philosophy links to the Renfrew et al, (2014), Framework for Quality Maternal and Newborn care which is:

1.To support and empower students to become responsible, resourceful, reflective midwives through the provision of a student-centred educational programme that promotes ethical principles and human rights conducive to the development of safe and effective practice for women and their families.

2.To provide students with interdisciplinary and multiagency learning opportunities to achieve Nursing and Midwifery Council proficiencies and programme outcomes. (NMC, 2019b Standards of proficiency for midwives).

Midwifery is a global profession. Childbearing women, newborn infants, and families share similar needs wherever they live and midwives make a vital contribution to their survival, health and wellbeing across the world (NMC, 2019b, Standards of proficiency for midwives). The World Health Organisation (WHO, 2019, Strengthening Quality Midwifery Education for Universal Health Coverage 2030) has stated that ‘strengthening midwifery education is a key step to improving quality of care and reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity’.

Through a contemporary and innovate curriculum, we aim to prepare graduate practitioners who are fully accountable as the lead professional for the care and support of women, newborn infants, partners and their families. They provide care based on the best available evidence, and keep up to date with current knowledge and skills, thereby helping to ensure that their care is responsive to emerging evidence and future developments. They work in partnership with women, enabling their views, preferences, and decisions, and helping to strengthen their capabilities. Midwives optimise normal physiological processes, and support safe physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual situations, working to promote positive outcomes and to anticipate and prevent complications (NMC, 2019b, Standards of proficiency for midwives)

There will be an opportunity throughout the programme to explore aspects of leadership, management, research-awareness, professional reflection, critical thinking and expert knowledge and understanding in preparation for autonomous practice within maternity services.  In addition, the programme seeks to facilitate skills necessary for employability, life -long learning and the acquisition of graduate attributes for ongoing personal and professional development (UWS, 2018a).

Programme Aims

The undergraduate programme aims to ensure achievement of:

• Academic level for the award of BSc Midwifery (NMC, 2019a).
• Requirements relating to professional competence and fitness for practice for registration as a midwife on Part 2 of the Professional Register (NMC, 2018a; 2018b; 2019a; 2019b)
• Requirements of the European Midwives Directive 80/155/EEC and Article 4 and 89/549/EEC Article 27 and EU Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the recognition of professional qualifications (as amended by Directive 2013/55/EU), Articles 40, 41 and 42*

*Depending on requirements following Brexit contract agreements and NMC regulatory guidance

Programme Outcomes

1. To prepare a clinically competent, safe, effective and compassionate practitioner who is accountable and applies respectful evidence-based care focusing on the needs, views, preferences, and decisions of the woman, newborn infant and family. (NMC ^2018b; 2019b; Domain 1: Domain 2: Domain 6).
2. To develop in the student an understanding of the holistic and social model of person-centred care within a variety of maternity service settings involving intra-disciplinary and multiagency teams.( NMC  2018b; 2019b; Domain 2:Domain 4: Domain 6).
3. To develop a sound knowledge base underpinning the partnership working with women, optimising normal physiological processes to support safe practice (i.e. psychological, social, cultural and spiritual), promote positive outcomes and prevent medical, obstetric and social complications (NMC, 2018b; 2019b; Domain 1:Domain 3: Domain 4: Domain 6).
4. To ensure students recognise any complications, deliver immediate emergency response and appropriate referral to interdisciplinary and multiagency colleagues whilst advocating for women and their newborn infants (NMC,  2018b; 2019b :Domain 3:Domain 4: Domain 6).
5. To facilitate the acquisition of excellent communication skills necessary for the development of leadership, advocacy and decision-making skills NMC  2018b; 2019b: Domain 1:Domain 5: Domain 6).
6. To provide a stimulating hybrid learning and teaching environment using innovative contemporary digital mediums that foster creativity, innovation, self-directed learning behaviour, self-reflection, research-awareness and graduate attributes. NMC  2018b;  2019b; Domain1:Domain 3:Domain 5: Domain 6).
7. To enable students to develop strength-based approaches when working with women and colleagues and take responsibility for engaging in continual professional development to enhance their career pathways in practice, education, research, management, leadership, and policy settings.(NMC  2018; 2019b; Domain 1,:Domain 3: Domain 5: Domain 6).

Outline of the Programme

This is a three year pre-registration programme comprising of 50% theory and 50% practice (NMC, 2019a Part 3). Theory is taught within the University of the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire Campus. The programme has a dynamic mix of blended learning that equips students with crucial transferrable skills, both academic and skills based. The methods employed range from traditional modified lectures, practical skills sessions, debates, student presentations, group work, workshops, self-directed study (including Virtual Learning Environment, eLearning), guided study, personal development planning and clinical simulation mediums.

A full range of practice placements are available within five Scottish Health Boards. Ayrshire and Arran, Dumfries and Galloway, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Highland and Lanarkshire. Students will be expected to work across 24 hour /7 day week to get the full range of experiences In line with NMC Standards students undertaking this programme are afforded supernumerary status during all practice placement (NMC, 2019a).

Module learning outcomes and assessment will reflect SCQF levels 7-9. Curriculum content is informed by NMC Standards for pre-registration midwifery education (NMC, 2019a Part 3) ,Framework for Quality Maternal and Newborn Care (Renfrew et al, 2014), UNICEF UK Baby friendly Initiative University Standards, 2019  and EU directives as stated above. All NMC (2019b) proficiencies require to be successfully completed, alongside all academic summative assessments in order to progress to the NMC Register.

The BSc Midwifery Programme is based on the concept of a spiral curriculum (Bruner, 1960, Spiral Curriculum Model).This permits the introduction and re-introduction of information to evolve and allows ideas to progress in level of complexity. Thus providing synthesis and deepening of subject knowledge.

Programme Provision

This degree programme is provided on a full time basis, it is a minimum of three years duration and 4,600 hours. (Minimum theory 2,300 and practice 2,300 hours). Students will experience a range of hours as expected of a practising midwife (NMC, 2019a Part 3).

The programme consists of 360 credits of which 120 are at level 7,8 and 9 to achieve degree award (NMC, 2019a Part 3; UWS 2020/21 Regulatory Framework)

Qualification

Following successful completion of Years 1, 2 and 3 students will exit the programme with the following award:

• BSc Midwifery – Academic Degree Qualification (NMC, 2019a, Part 3).

Students will also be eligible to apply to gain entry onto the NMC register as:

Registered Midwife – Professional Qualification

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

Graduate Attributes

Linked to the theme of ‘Graduates for the 21st Century’, this programme has considered the UWS academic, personal and professional graduate attributes, and has been designed to support students to be universal (critical thinker; analytical; enquiring; emotionally intelligent; ethically minded; culturally aware; collaborative; research-minded; socially responsible), work-ready (knowledgeable; digitally literate; problem solver; effective communicator; influential; motivated; potential leader; enterprising; ambitious) and successful (autonomous; incisive; innovative; creative; imaginative; resilient; driven; daring; transformational). This is achieved by ensuring the programme is capable of developing relevant academic, personal and professional attributes within those students undertaking the programme. The 'IamUWS' graduate attributes are incorporated within each module descriptor and associated assessments.

Aims of Graduate Attributes

 Develop graduate attributes in line with IamUWS and NMC Standards and Proficiencies.

• To prepare students who are work-ready, fit for practice, award and employment
• To develop an analytical autonomous practitioner committed to personal development and lifelong learning.
• To develop post-graduate level decision making skills and the ability to use inquiry, evidence seeking and research mindedness to influence and transform midwifery practice.
• To profile midwifery practice within an interdisciplinary and multiagency framework and positively influence a collaborative approach to learning and the delivery of healthcare.
• To equip the student with digital literacy enhanced employability skills and the ability to plan a career pathway in the context of a dynamic and evolving healthcare system.
• To develop safe, proficient, resilient and adaptable midwives who can facilitate health promotion approaches and public health challenges including the nurturing of self at individual, family and community level.
• To develop specific skills, detailed knowledge and understanding of caring for women and babies with complex needs including holistic practice, team working and medicine management.
• To foster a commitment to contemporary practice in healthcare and to enable students to critically evaluate and challenge the underpinning models, philosophies and theoretical frameworks in midwifery.
• To prepare students with the academic and research skills required for undertaking further post-graduate studies including research at doctoral level.

Personal Development Planning

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is a process that enables students to plan for and keep records of their development and achievements, helping them to:

• Become a more effective, independent and confident learner
• To reflect on their learning and relate this learning in a wider context
• To manage their own learning according to their individual needs
• Improving general skills for study and career management
• Talk about personal goals and evaluation of progress towards them

Articulate achievements to others e.g. when applying for jobs.

NHS Education for Scotland (NES) TURAS e-portfolio platform will provide the opportunity to build and develop a professional ePortfolio.

UWS provides a student-centred, personalised learning experience called MyJourney. This platform provides access to programme level engagement and performance data and allows comparison of engagement and performance with fellow students. This presents a rich environment in which to review and develop approaches to learning and understand how assessments support successful learning.

https://myjourney.uws.ac.uk/

Personal Development Planning (PDP) is embedded within the BSc Midwifery Programme. It is a process that enables students to plan for and keep records of their development and achievements in three broad areas:

• Personal Skills
• Academic Development
• Career Planning and Employability

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

As previously detailed 50% of the BSc Midwifery Programme is undertaken within clinical practice under the supervision of the Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors.  They are responsible for ensuring the students are provided with safe, effective and inclusive learning experiences.  Students will be encouraged to actively participate in their own education, learning from a range of people across a variety of settings (NMC, 2018a Part: 2).

The student will be required to accept placements in any of the Health Board areas covered by UWS, but, wherever possible consideration of their home address is made. This may include remote and rural placements. There are three practice placements in year one where students will  experience normal, low-risk midwifery practice, including the Best Start Team or  antenatal/postnatal and intrapartum.Total number of practice weeks in year 1 = 18 weeks (675 hours). There are three practice placements in year two with one that reflects the high-risk theoretical content to permit direct integration of theory with practice. Including labour ward, neonatal and women's health. There are opportunities to engage with elective or third sector placements.Total number of practice weeks in year 2 = 20 weeks (750 hours). There are three practice placements in year three of the programme that aim to provide an opportunity for students to consolidate theory with previous practice experience within a management and leadership framework to prepare them for qualified practice. Practice placements include labour ward,  the Best Start Team or antenatal/postnatal.  and students will participate in caseload holding.  The total number of practice weeks in year 3 = 24 weeks (900 hours).These will take place within specified integrated theory/practice modules throughout each year of the programme.

Midwifery Practice Assessment Document (MPAD) (Scotland)

The purpose of the MPAD is to provide a systematic record of the student’s practice learning progress and achievement of proficiencies and skills throughout each practice placement. This allows current and future practice supervisors, practice assessors and academic assessors to see an overview of progress from each practice placement throughout the programme.In terms of professional development students will follow the participation in care framework at dependent/developing independence/independent level.

The MPAD is an integral part of the learning process.  It is not simply a catalogue of learning activities; rather, it should be clear evidence of student learning and reflection that has occurred. The MPAD should provide evidence of learning from academic activities as well as from practice experience, clearly evidencing achievement of the NMC Standards of proficiency for midwives (NMC, 2019b Standards of proficiency for midwives).  Consideration of adherence to The Code (NMC, 2018b) is a part of the assessment process.

As a pre-registration midwifery student, they will have consented to carry the practice learning documentation throughout the length of the midwifery programme. The MPAD is an important record of ongoing learning that records the final assessment of proficiency by the practice assessor and academic assessor. 

Supernumerary Status

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2019a, Part 3, page 11) states that Approved Educational Institutions together with practice learning partners must “ensure that students are supernumerary”. Supernumerary status means that “students in practice or work based learning must be supported to learn. This may include being supernumerary meaning they are not counted as part of the staffing required for safe and effective care in that setting” (NMC, 2018a, Part 2,).

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Where a programme has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure (UWS, 2020/21), Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on virtual learning environment (VLE) platforms, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

For the purposes of this programme, this equates to the following:
NMC (2019a, Part 3) Student require to complete a minimum of 2,300 hours theory and a minimum of 2,300 hours practice.

For practice based modules students must attend minimum of 80% of module and make up attendance to 100%.

For theory based modules students are required to attend minimum of 75% of module to sit assessment.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy. 'Anticipatory’ and ‘reasonable’ adjustments are grounded in ‘competence standards’ – specifically, the core requirements for progression / achievement in placement / module.

Anticipatory adjustments have been made and reasonable adjustments can be made available in teaching and learning strategies to promote accessibility of the modules.
For students who have disclosed a disability, the UWS Disability Service (DS) will assess the individual’s strengths and support needs and then then forward a Student Support Form to the appropriate DS coordinator who will circulate the form to all of the relevant teaching staff. Students should approach the Disability Service as early as possible to discuss support

Reasonable adjustments may include adapted or specialised clinical equipment (e.g. electronic stethoscope, coloured overlays) or further specialist assessment or support (e.g. assessment by an Educational Psychologist). If funding is required, this can be organised by the DS and funded by the School.
Students are encouraged to share this information with the Practice Supervisors / Practice Assessors involved in practice placements, with support from their Academic Assessor if requested. Practice partner staff have their own mandatory Board training and development for example unconscious bias, equality and diversity and health and safe. Health Board staff work in adherence to Health Board Codes of Conduct including the NMC Code. In practice placement environments, all students are expected to respect difference and treat all people as individuals. The student should expect the same from staff, clients and the general public.

Processes and procedures have been subject to Equality Impact Screening and where appropriate Equality Impact Assessment. Evaluation by all key stakeholders throughout the life of the programme is also central to meeting our commitments.

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.