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UCC Postgraduate courses

Midwifery

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  1. Study
  2. Postgraduate
  3. Taught Courses
  4. Higher Diploma
  5. Midwifery
Course Fact File
CodeHDMWF
Duration18 months full-time
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsHDip
NFQ LevelLevel 8
FeesSee Fees and Costs for full details.
Start DateSeptember 2025

Course Outline

Please note that recruitment for this programme is made via HSE National Recruitment Service campaigns.

Higher Diploma in Midwifery Sponsorship Programme –  NOTE: Applications are now closed for the HSE national campaign to recruit into HSE areas Cork, Drogheda, Galway and Limerick

This is an 18-month programme for Registered General Nurses that leads to a Higher Diploma in Midwifery and registration as a Registered Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

The programme is full time and is offered in partnership with Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Successful applicants will have EU Fees paid by the HSE subject to certain conditions. Students receive an 18-month contract of employment with CUMH and as an employee of the maternity services, must meet certain contractual obligations. Details will be provided in the contract of employment under the HSE Midwifery Sponsorship arrangements. Click here for further information: HSE Sponsorship Scheme.

The theoretical component of the programme is delivered over 26 weeks, with lectures in UCC and CUMH, and the practice component consists of 52 weeks of midwifery practice which includes annual leave. Midwifery practice includes a 24-hour cycle of care for mothers and babies therefore student midwives work day and night duty including weekends.

This 18-month programme meets the EU Directive for midwifery education programmes in Ireland. For those of you who wish to register as a midwife in other EU countries, under EU regulations, a further 12 months of practice as a qualified midwife is required. You will take 90 credits total over the 18 months of the programme as follows:

Year 1 (duration nine months)

Part A

  • NU5093 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Neonate 1 (10 credits)
  • NU5095 Supporting Mothers during Pregnancy and Parenthood (10 credits)
  • NU5057 Professionalism for Midwifery Practice (5 credits)
  • NU5058 Health Promotion for Midwifery Practice (5 credits)
  • NU5073 Evidence Based Midwifery Practice (5 credits)
  • SS5806 Social Policy and Midwifery Practice (5 credits)

Part B

  • NU5088 Midwifery Practice I (10 credits)

Year 2 (duration nine months)

Part A

  • NU5043 Ethics for Midwives (5 credits)
  • NU5059 Childbirth and the Neonate II (10 credits)
  • NU5096 Normal Childbirth: Issues and Debates (5 credits)
  • NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Part B

  • NU5089 Midwifery Practice II (10 credits)

Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Course Practicalities

Assessment

Assessment is through a variety of approaches including written assignments, class presentations and end-of-year examinations. Assessment of midwifery practice is a continuous process and includes the assessment of midwifery skills and competencies for practice.

Who teaches this course

Why Choose This Course

The course works towards developing a thinking, analytical, questioning midwife, who has an interest in learning and who can fully exploit the learning advantages of working within a midwifery environment. The course is student-based and designed to equip you with the clinical skills and theoretical knowledge needed by qualified midwives to provide high quality woman-centred care both in Ireland and internationally. Graduates will have an excellent theoretical framework which will ensure safe evidence-based autonomous midwifery practice.

Top 50 Nursing School in the World

The School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, has been ranked within the top 50 nursing schools in the world, according to the QS global subject rankings. The school provides a world-class environment for cutting-edge research to prepare tomorrow’s nurses to shape and advance health care practices through research and education. Within UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, researchers are addressing global challenges, including the growing burden of diseases, nurse workforce requirements, population ageing, and sustainable approaches to healthcare and health promotion and our teaching staff are at the forefront of these developments.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students have an opportunity to gain experience in an area relevant to midwifery practice locally, nationally or internationally during a one week elective placement. This week is self-funded.

Skills and Careers Information

Midwives are expected to be responsive to the changing needs of women and their families and therefore need an educational input that positively influences their practice and develops their sense of autonomy. This course sets out to achieve this while meeting and maintaining the professional and practice requirements for post-registration midwifery education. You will be prepared to be proactive as a midwife in effecting change that will benefit mothers and babies.

Requirements

  • Applicants must be registered as a general nurse (RGN) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. 
  • The HSE requires that applicants are required to have 6 months post registration experience as an RGN within the past 3 years, working a minimum of 78 hours per month. Verification will be required on application.
  • The application form and interview is competency-based.

Fees and Costs

To be confirmed for 2024

How To Apply

Additional Requirements

Contact Details For This Course

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