BSc (Hons) in Midwifery
Four great reasons to consider this course
- Successful completion of this programme entitles you to register as a qualified midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- This qualification is recognised world-wide and, once registered in your destination country, will allow you to travel abroad to work as a midwife.
- This programme embraces student centred, real-world learning where students are encouraged to relate midwifery theory to midwifery practice.
- Students on this programme benefit from smaller class sizes and one to one engagement with lecturers.
Course Summary
This 4-year Honours Degree programme is designed to enable students to develop the professional knowledge, skills and understanding needed to fulfill the role of a midwife. A role which involves providing individualised care to women and their family. Learning throughout this courses takes place in the classroom, specialised skills laboratory and in our affiliated partner hospitals.
The philosophy of midwifery is based on a view of childbirth as part of the life cycle and therefore viewed as a normal, healthy and profound experience in women’s lives. Midwives recognise, respect and safeguard normal processes during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period whilst also acknowledging that some women may experience more complex pregnancies and require specialised care needs.
Midwives provide care in a range of settings including maternity units, midwifery led units and services both in the hospital and community. Midwives also work in partnership with other members of the healthcare team.
The purpose of this midwife registration education programme is to equip midwifery students with the necessary knowledge, skills and professional behaviours to practise as a competent midwife capable of autonomously carrying out all the activities of a midwife as set out in the EC Directive of 2005.
As a student on this course you will develop the professional knowledge, skills and understanding needed to fulfil the role of a midwife. The role involves providing individualised care to women and their family. Learning takes place in the classroom, specialised skills laboratory and in our affiliated partner hospitals: Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Cavan General Hospital (maternity unit) and Letterkenny University Hospital (maternity unit).
Please note: Offers of places on this course are subject to applicants successful passing Garda Clearance and Health Status Clearance from the Health Service Executive (North East) Occupational Health Unit.
Year 1
Semester 1
- Midwifery 1 (year-long)
- Natural Sciences for Nursing/ Midwifery Practice (a)
- Safe Healthcare Practice 1
- Learning to Learn
- Clinical Placement 1 (year-long)
Semester 2
- Midwifery 1 (year-long)
- Natural Sciences for Midwifery (b)
- Safe Healthcare Practice for Midwifery
- Health Promotion in Midwifery
- Clinical Placement 1 (year-long)
Year 2
Semester 1
- Midwifery 2 (a)
- The Neonate (a)
- Communication Skills for Midwifery Practice
- Sexuality/Sexual Health
- Clinical Placement 2 (year-long)
Semester 2
- Midwifery 2(b)
- Neonate (b)
- Psychosocial Perspectives in Midwifery Practice
- The Research Process
- Clinical Placement 2 (year-long)
Year 3
Semester 1
- Midwifery 3(a)
- Complex Newborn
- Grief and Loss in Midwifery Practice
- Ethics and Law
- Clinical Placement 3 (year-long)
Semester 2
- Midwifery 3(b)
- Evaluating Research
- Sensitive Midwifery Practice
- Quality Risk and Safety in Healthcare
- Clinical Placement 3 (year-long)
Year 4
Semester 1
- Midwifery 4
- Consolidation and Preparation for Practice
- Research Proposal
- Clinical Placement 4
Semester 2
- Internship (Midwifery)
* All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only. The provision of electives each year is subject to numbers enrolling on each elective and available resources.
The following learning and teaching strategies underpin this programme:
- Enquiry Based Learning (EBL)
- Tutorials
- Lectures
- Group Work / Seminars
- Clinical / Practical Skills
- Clinical Placements
Successful graduates of this course can apply to practice as a Registered Midwife in Ireland and worldwide. Graduates can apply for positions as Staff Midwives in the Irish health care sector.
Postgraduate opportunities are plentiful in a variety of clinical practice settings that may facilitate progression to the role of Clinical Midwife Specialist/ Advanced Midwife Practitioner.
In addition, graduates can also progress to MSc. and PhD level and a career in Midwifery Research, Education and Management.
Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate
→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND Laboratory Science subject Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O6 or H7 OR Irish Grade O6 or H7
Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:
Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:
→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ GCSE Pass in a Laboratory Science subject (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) OR GCSE Grade CC in Double Award Science
→ English (or Irish) at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ Two subjects at either:
- ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
- OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
- OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)
→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:
- GCSE (Grade A* - C)
- AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
- AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
- AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
- AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
- AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
Mature Applicants Entry Requirements:
Minimum of 23 years of age on January 1st of year of application.
An assessment test is carried out by the PAS on behalf of NMBI.
For further information please see our page on applying as a mature student or visit NursingCareers.ie
Please Note:
Offers of places on this course are subject to applicants successfully passing Garda Clearance and Health Status Clearance from the Health Service Executive (North East) Occupational Health Unit.
Furthermore, students on the programme are subject to fitness to practise regulations.
Throughout this programme time is balanced between college (68 weeks) and clinical placements (81 weeks). The final nine months of the programme is a paid internship placement in core midwifery areas.
Students who wish to care for women and families in a holistic manner before, during and after pregnancy should consider applying for this programme.
Students who have an interest in health and wellbeing, particularly women’s health and wellbeing, should consider applying for this programme.
Students who have an interest in specialised neonatal care and care of healthy newborn infants should consider applying for this programme.
This programme is also very suited to the mature student entry pathway.
Finance/Grants:
- Students are supernumerary to the midwifery service needs during three years out of the four and during this time do not receive any financial assistance other than that pertaining to other third-level students.
- In year 4 there is a 36-week Internship placement during which time students are paid a salary from the health services.
| Course ID | DK877 |
| CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2023) | 453 Points |
| Course Type | Undergraduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Level | 8 |
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Starting Date | September 2024 |
| School | School of Health & Science |
| Department | Nursing, Midwifery and Early Years |
| Awarding Body | Dundalk Institute of Technology |
| Delivery Method | On Campus |
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:
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.
