Programme learning outcomes

Statement of Purpose

Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons) in Midwifery (BMid (Hons) Midwifery)

Note: This document and our programme learning outcomes use the words 'woman' or 'mother' throughout. These should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but are pregnant or who have given birth.

The Bachelor of Midwifery (Hons) in Midwifery (BMid (Hons) Midwifery) at the University of York has been specifically designed to equip you to become a skilled, knowledgeable and compassionate midwife, able to provide excellent care for women, newborn infants and families. The programme has learning through research and enquiry at its centre, and is focused on contemporary midwifery and maternity care. Our curriculum also features strong and cohesive development of professional self, enabling you to become a confident, effective and future focused midwife.  

The programme provides an equal balance of theory and practice learning. The university works in well-established partnerships with our valued NHS Trusts to provide practice learning, supervision and assessment in hospital, midwifery led unit and community settings, including continuity of care and carer models. You will develop comprehensive interpersonal skills to build and sustain relationships, working in partnership with women and families. You will also work effectively within interdisciplinary and multi-agency care teams. 

Through varied and stimulating academic and practice learning modules you will initially gain the knowledge, skills and experience to provide safe, universal midwifery care. As you progress, your learning and practice will expand and deepen, enabling you to provide care which anticipates, prevents and responds to additional care needs and complications. You will be fully equipped to identify, critically analyse, interpret and use the best available evidence and data to inform your professional learning and actions.

Our smaller cohort size and varied, interactive teaching, learning and assessment methods promote student engagement and encourage peer support. Throughout your degree you will also learn in our extensive clinical simulation unit, practising and demonstrating increasingly complex clinical skills. Another distinctive programme element is an elective placement at the end of Stage 2, which will give you the opportunity to gain diverse midwifery experience nationally and/or internationally, recognising midwifery as part of a global profession. Our undergraduate midwifery education is also accredited by the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI), fully achieving standards which facilitate effective parent-baby relationships and choices regarding infant feeding. 

On conclusion of your undergraduate studies, you will have developed contemporary knowledge, critical understanding and effective skills to work across the continuum of midwifery and hold a midwifery caseload. You will provide safe, respectful, empowering and equitable care, irrespective of social context and setting. The BMid (Hons) Midwifery is approved by the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), and on successful completion you will be able to apply to practise as an NMC registered midwife. 

Programme learning outcomes