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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Midwifery

Course Fact File

Code	Pathway: MSCMWF; Direct Entry Yr 2: MSCMWF2
Duration	2 Years
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	15 September 2025

Course Outline

The MSc Midwifery is a taught programme for midwives running over two years from the date of first registration. This programme is for registered midwives only.  The programme is purely academic and has no clinical component.  Registered general nurses who wish to become registered midwives should instead apply for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Year 1 (60 credits)

• NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits)
• NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)

plus elective modules (subject to availability) to the value of 40 credits to be chosen from the following:

• NU6140 Woman-Centred Care (10 credits)
• NU6153 Preparation for Birth and Parenthood Facilitation (10 credits)
• NU6167 Maternity Critical Care (10 credits)
• NU6201 Personal and Professional Portfolio (10 credits)
• NU6301 Personal and Professional Development (10 credits)
• NU6303 Advancing Practice for Patient Safety (10 credits)
• NU6306 Clinical Leadership for Healthcare Quality Improvement (10 credits)
• NU6310 Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice for Quality Improvement in Healthcare (10 credits)
• NU6312 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare (10 credits)
• NU6313 Digital Healthcare (10 credits)

Note: Not all modules will be offered each year. Alternatively, students may take up to a maximum of 10 credits, relevant to the MSc programme with the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 10 credits above.

Year 2

• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
• NU6151 Dissertation in Midwifery (20 credits)

Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion and passing Year 1 modules to the value of 60 credits students may exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies.  NB: holders of the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies as not eligible to apply to the NMBI for registration as a midwife.  

A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Course Practicalities

The majority of modules are assessed by assignments. For some modules there will be examinations or a student may be required to make a presentation. In Year 2, students undertake a research study and complete a dissertation. A supervisor will be provided to support this work.

Why Choose This Course

• An MSc Midwifery develops your skills to contribute to evidence-based maternity care.
• An MSc enhances career development into clinical, management, leadership, specialist midwife roles, advanced midwife practice, practice development, research and education.
• With an MSc Midwifery, you can take on roles that influence maternity policies, improve clinical guidelines, and enhance perinatal care.
• You will be taught and supervised by a multidisciplinary team of academics and clinicians who are experts in their disciplines.
• We recognise that you may be working full time therefore this programme is delivered via classroom teaching and online learning.

Skills and Careers Information

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Practise with greater insight of the research-base, ethical, socio-political and professional underpinnings of midwifery and health care in Ireland;
• Exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in midwifery practice;
• Demonstrate higher levels of judgment in the practice of midwifery through the generation of midwifery knowledge for innovative, research-based midwifery practice;
• Act as innovators and leaders and contribute to practice development in midwifery;
• Teach others from a broad and in-depth knowledge base, derived from critical reflection on midwifery practice and the development of critical inquiry in midwifery
• Exercise accountability and autonomy within the clinical and professional boundaries of midwifery;
• Promote excellence in assessment and implementation of research-based practice, within agreed inter-disciplinary protocols in midwifery practice;
• Demonstrate high levels of judgment in the practice of nursing/midwifery through the generation of knowledge for innovative midwifery practice.

Requirements

Entry to Year 1 MSc (Midwifery) (MSCMW)

Applicants for the MSc (Midwifery) must:

• have a minimum primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Nursing or Midwifery or a qualification approved by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

AND

• hold professional registration as a midwife with the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible for such registration.

Direct Entry to MSc (Midwifery) Year 2 (MSCMWF2)

• Applicants for Direct Entry to Year 2 of the MSc (Midwifery) must have successfully completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery (NFQ, Level 9) or equivalent, or a Higher Diploma in Midwifery (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent.

NB: Successful completion of the MSc Midwifery does not confer graduates with eligibilty to apply to the NMBI for registration as a midwife.  

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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