Midwifery

Programme Short Name: BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
Load (FT vs PT): Full Time
Levels (UG, G, etc): Undergraduate studies
Course Information:

CAO Code: DN452
CAO Points Range 2015: 465* - 525
Length of Course: 4 Years
Places: 22

*Not all applicants with this score were offered a course place.

CAO Code: DN462 (Mature Entry)
Min Nursing Board Assessment Score 2015: 180
Length of Course: 4 Years
Places: 6

Leaving Certificate: Passes in six subjects including English, Irish, Mathematics, one laboratory science subject & two other recognised subjects. Two of the six subjects must be minimum HC3.

Healthcare Screening & Garda/Police Vetting: Candidates are required to undergo a mandatory healthcare screening process & Garda/Police vetting. For further information click here.

Click below for equivalent entry requirements information for:
A-Level/GCSE
Other EU Applicants
Level 5/6 FETAC Entry Routes
Mature Entry Route


Why is this course for me?

From the moment a woman becomes pregnant, it’s the start of a journey leading to one of life’s greatest miracles: the birth of a baby. The term “midwife” means “with woman”. Midwifery is a wonderful profession and if you’re interested in working with women, their newborn babies and their families during pregnancy and childbirth, then midwifery is the career choice for you. The focus and philosophy of midwifery in UCD is the promotion of women-centred care.

Key Fact: Over 90% of our students who qualified in 2014 were immediately offered contracts of employment, allowing them to gain valuable experience as registered midwives.


What will I study?

The initial focus is on the foundational knowledge and skills required for midwifery practice. Each year these will be developed and strengthened through theory and practice. In your final year you’ll also focus on professional issues. Modules include:

First Year

  • Transition to University
  • Foundations of Midwifery Practice
  • Anatomy, Sciences & Physiology
  • Psychology related to the profession of midwifery

Second & Third Year

  • Midwifery Practice during Normal Pregnancy & Childbirth
  • Complications in Pregnancy & Childbirth
  • Caring for Sick Neonatal Babies

Fourth Year

  • Research, Leadership & Management
  • Developing Further Knowledge & Clinical Skills for Midwifery Practice
  • Clinical Placement/Internship

Assessment is through a combination of end-of-semester exams and continuous assessment, including assessment of performance on clinical placements.

For detailed information on subject content click here.


Professional Work Experience

You’ll attend clinical placements in the internationally renowned National Maternity Hospital (NMH) or a linked maternity unit in the Ireland East Hospital Network in order to gain first-hand experience. You may also choose a midwifery placement during second year in Wexford or Sligo General Hospitals. You can also avail of a placement with the community midwives from either the NMH or Wexford General Hospital.


Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Successful completion of your degree entitles you to register as a Registered Midwife (RM)* with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). On registration, numerous career opportunities are available to you in both hospital and community settings in Ireland and abroad, including Europe, Australia and New Zealand. You can also pursue further specialist qualifications through graduate diplomas, and master’s and PhD degrees.

*Registration in Ireland does not automatically provide a licence to practise abroad.


Student Profile

"Studying at UCD far outweighed my expectations. We receive a lot of support from the college and the teaching hospitals, the facilities are second to none, and the small class size has meant that the lecturers have been more available to share their knowledge and help us to reach our goals."

Jean Doherty

"I am a mature fourth year student studying a BSc in Midwifery. It has been a hugely positive life-changing experience. The course is divided equally between academic time in UCD and clinical placement in the National Maternity Hospital. The support and guidance we receive from our personal tutors and lecturers are greatly beneficial. Taking on the course is a big commitment but I would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone considering it."

Deirdre Kane


Related Programs: Medicine
Nursing (Children's & General)
Nursing (General)
Nursing (Mental Health)
Pathway


Contact Information:

UCD Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems Programme Office
Health Sciences Centre
Belfield, Dublin 4

Tel: +353 1 716 6407/6569
Email: nursing@ucd.ie