Programme Learning Outcomes

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course a typical student should be able to demonstrate systematic and critical understanding of: 

Knowledge and understanding

• the philosophical foundations of midwifery practice; 

• current theoretical perspectives on midwifery practice; 

• the anatomical, physiological, sociological, psychological, pharmacological and pathological principles related to maternal, fetal and neonatal wellbeing; 

• the ethical, legal and political issues in relation to midwifery practice; 

• the requirements of clinical governance as demonstrated through the theoretical and scientific basis of research, research methodology, clinical audit, risk management and the theories and principles underpinning the effective use and development of evidence in practice; 

• the connections between clinical leadership, management and health outcomes; 

• current local, national and international public health agendas and the role of the midwife in contributing to health outcomes; 

• the contemporaneous provision of midwifery care in the public and private sectors including structure, drivers of change and policies; 

• relevant theoretical, policy and legal perspectives around the integration of services and practice and their impact on collaborative practice and individuals accessing services; 

• the principles and practice of professionalism and interprofessional collaboration in a local and/or global context. 

Intellectual skills

• formulate strategies for selecting appropriate and relevant information from a wide range of professional and inter-professional sources of knowledge and evidence to support sustainable arguments and draw reasoned conclusions; 

• synthesise and critically evaluate contemporary information from a variety of sources to gain a coherent and evidence-based understanding of midwifery theory and practice in a local, national and/or international context; 

• utilise appropriate study skills to facilitate their own independent learning; 

• critically reflect upon and evaluate situations and devise an appropriate and creative course of action enhancing their personal and professional development; 

• engage in critical debate and discussion in areas of professional controversy and future professional development; 

• construct reasoned argument concerning the funding and ethics of modern health and social care; 

• make and justify ethically sound professional judgements in the context of collaboration applying to a range of complex situations; 

• identify and explore the needs of women and their families from physical, psychological, environmental, social, emotional and spiritual perspectives to understand and value and critically appraise the diversity and complexity of human behaviour; 

• communicate effectively and coherently with other professionals and agencies working in collaboration with maternity services, to ensure that the needs of individuals, families and communities are met; 

• critically evaluate and synthesise learning from a variety of local, national, and international settings/sources.  

Subject-specific and/or Professional/Practical Skills

• role model the practise of autonomous, accountable and safe midwifery care which underpins the delivery of high quality compassionate, culturally competent, respectful, women and family-centred, evidence-based midwifery; 

• demonstrate a critical awareness and systematic evaluation of their own and others' interprofessional practice and justifying how this has contributed to their personal and professional development; 

• demonstrate a critical awareness and systematic evaluation of integrative practice considering its potential to promote positive outcomes for people in diverse communities and the organisations we work with; 

• work in and critically reflect upon partnership with other health and social care professionals and agencies, women, their partners and families, providing continuity of care and carer; 

• demonstrate a critical awareness and systematic evaluation of how contemporary policy and social drivers impact upon individuals, communities, international agendas and the development of the profession; 

• demonstrate a critical awareness and systematic evaluation of the skills required to practice sensitively and safely in meeting the needs of diverse people and cultures; 

• assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised woman and family-centred care within normal pregnancy, labour and the puerperium; 

• recognise and respond accordingly to care for all women including those with complex and challenging mental health, medical, surgical, gynaecological, obstetric and social needs; 

• apply the pathophysiology of medical/surgical/gynaecological and obstetric conditions, including relevant pharmacology, which may affect maternal, fetal or neonatal wellbeing; 

• identify, demonstrate and reflect upon the clinical leadership skills inherent in acting as the lead professional in midwifery care; 

• develop practical skills (including statutory and mandatory) appropriate to the role of the midwife; 

• actively engage in self-directed learning that promotes personal and professional lifelong development and promotes originality in practice.  

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Communicate effectively with individuals and groups using a variety of strategies and interventions, and through a variety of media; 

• Use appropriate skills in the interpretation of evidence in the context of your studies; 

• Self-manage time and resources when working independently and as a member of a group;  

• Apply problem solving skills and shared decision-making skills to address academic and complex practice issues, demonstrating some creativity and originality; 

• Demonstrate the transferrable skills and attributes required in a contemporary employment setting including adaptability, autonomy, enterprising and reflective practice; 

• Critically evaluate your personal contributions to working collaboratively and relate this to underpinning theories of effective interprofessional collaboration and team-working; 

• Maintain legible, accurate and contemporaneous records for professional and personal use; 

• Demonstrate digital capability, agility and innovation, utilising relevant current and emerging digital technologies to optimise professional practice; 

• Demonstrate the necessary literacy, numeracy, information and computing technology skills to enable safe, competent and effective practice.