School of Health & Science Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) in Midwifery

Provide holistic, compassionate, person-centred care throughout the perinatal period.
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Course Overview

Over the duration of the course, learners will develop the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours, that are necessary to become compassionate, competent, and committed healthcare professionals. Academic and clinical knowledge and skills will be developed throughout this rewarding course, using inclusive, authentic, learning approaches and simulated learning environments.

Students will gain their clinical experience in our partner clinical sites; Our Lady of Lourdes Maternity Unit, Drogheda, Cavan Hospital Maternity Unit and Letterkenny University Hospital Maternity Unit. Students will engage with both theoretical and practical learning opportunities, in preparation for their clinical placements. Many of these will take place within our state-of the- art clinical skills laboratories. Midwifery clinical placements account for fifty percent of this course and enable students to develop the professional knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to fulfil the role of a midwife.

What makes this course different

Understanding the Industry

The term ‘midwife’ means ‘with woman’. Midwives recognise pregnancy, labour, birth and the post-natal period as healthy and profound experiences in women’s and people’s lives. The ethos of midwifery care is to work in partnership with women and their families, using professional knowledge, skills and attitudes to competently support individuals, infants and the wider community.

Midwifery care combines art and science. It is holistic and grounded in an understanding of the social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, psychological, and physical experiences of individuals. Midwifery care is consistently supported by the best available evidence. As a profession, midwifery protects and enhances the health of people, which in turn protects and enhances the health and well-being of society.

Career Opportunities

Future Careers:

  • Registered Midwife
  • Clinical Midwife Specialist
  • Advanced Midwife Practitioner
  • Neonatal Specialist
  • Lactation Specialist
  • Ultrasound Specialist
  • Midwifery Management
  • Midwifery Research
  • Midwifery education

In these areas:

  • Public Maternity Units: Antenatal wards, labour wards, postnatal wards, and neonatal units
  • Midwifery-led units
  • Community Practice
  • Higher education institutions

Course Delivery and Modules

  • Safe Healthcare Practice 1
  • Clinical 1.1
  • Midwifery 1.1
  • Natural Science for Midwifery (a)
  • Transition Support and Skills for Success
  • Clinical 1.2
  • Learning to Learn Skills for Success
  • Midwifery 1.2
  • Natural Sciences for Midwifery (b)
  • Psychosocial Perspectives 1

  • Clinical 2.1
  • Midwifery 2.1
  • Professional Practice
  • Psychosocial Perspectives 2.1
  • Clinical 2.2
  • Exploring the Evidence
  • Midwifery 2.2
  • Psychosocial Perspectives 2.2

  • Clinical 3.1
  • Midwifery 3.1
  • Psychosocial Perspectives 3
  • Quality, Risk and Safety in Healthcare
  • Advancing Professional Practice
  • Clinical 3.2
  • Critiquing the Evidence
  • Ethical and Legal Practice for Midwifery
  • Midwifery 3.2

  • Applying the Evidence
  • Clinical 4
  • Integrated Professional Practice
  • Midwifery 4
  • Internship

Work placement

Clinical placements occur in each semester in each year of the programme. Each placement will help build clinical knowledge, skills, and professional behaviours in the journey towards becoming a registered Midwife.

In Year 4 (from January to September), students are rostered on a 9-month internship placement where they are employed and paid by the HSE and continue their learning as a service provider.

Professional Accreditations

Graduates will be eligible for professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland

Education Progression

Graduates are qualified to apply for a range of postgraduate programmes in midwifery such as the MSc. in Midwifery or Advanced Midwifery Practice (MSc.)

Fees and Funding

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Entry requirements

In addition to the standard entry requirements below, a Laboratory Science subject at Grade O6 or H7 is also required. Applicants from NI/UK require a GCSE pass in a Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or GCSE Grade CC in Double Award Science. Single award GCSE Science is not applicable.

Please Note: Offers subject to successful Garda Clearance and Health Status Clearance from the Health Service Executive (North East) Occupational Health Unit. Students on the course are also subject to fitness-to-practice regulations.

Recent CAO points

CAO points 2024 413
CAO points 2023 453

Student Stories

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How to apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

Apply on CAO
CAO code: DK877

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

Ask us a Question

If you have a question about the BSc (Hons) in Midwifery please ask it below and we will get back to you.

Dr Anita Byrne

Senior Lecturer, School of Health and Science

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).