Midwifery

UCAS code: B720

Here's what University of Southampton says about its Midwifery course.

About this course Become a midwife with BSc Midwifery at the University of Southampton, ranked 1st in the UK for Midwifery (Guardian University Guide 2025).

On your three-year Midwifery degree you'll gain the skills needed to make a lasting impact on the lives of women and their families through your in-depth understanding of the physical, mental, and social aspects of healthy and complex pregnancy and childbirth.

This midwifery course is split equally between campus study and clinical placements. Placements will be in one of the five NHS Trusts we have partnership with; University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University Hospital Sussex. You may experience a wide variety of other settings including community midwifery, clinics, and GP practices. There’s also the option to gain experience abroad in your second year.

Key features of the course:

• Research is a core element of your degree, and you’ll be able to do 2 research-based assignments on midwifery topics of your choice

• You'll benefit from the expertise and support of world-leading academics who are shaping the future of midwifery practice in the UK and beyond, meaning you'll graduate with the most advanced understanding of the profession and best practice

• You’ll spend a minimum of 2,300 hours in clinical placements over the course of the three years, equipping you with the skills and experience you need to become a registered midwife

• You'll be based at our Highfield campus, where you'll put your learning into practice in our dedicated facilities including simulated hospital wards, clinical skills suites, and with cutting-edge birthing simulation manakins.

Student support You'll be supported from day one, both during your time studying on campus and during your placements, by your personal support network of academics: your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), a senior tutor, and by your fellow students via initiatives like the Schwartz Rounds designed to support health-care staff to deliver compassionate care by helping them to reflect on their work in groups of peers.

Further information This BSc Midwifery degree is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). On graduation you'll be able to register as a registered midwife.

The NHS Learning Support Fund may assist your journey to becoming a registered healthcare professional. If you're a UK applicant you could be eligible for £5,000 per academic year, depending on your programme of study.

Throughout this degree, you will take a ‘whole person’ approach. Your clinical practice will be enriched by the understanding of the social and psychological aspects of childbirth. You will learn about the midwife’s role in public health and develop leadership and critical thinking skills.

Year 1: Understand the biological, psychological and sociological processes of pregnancy and birth.

Year 2: Learn how to identify and manage pregnancy, labour and birth for women with complex health needs and develop skills to manage obstetric and neonatal emergencies. You will also commence a research project of your choice and build on your understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice.

Years 3: You will explore the wider context of professional practice, expanding knowledge around ethics, governance, leadership and innovation. You will complete your research project and prepare for qualification.

Please go to our course page for a full list of our modules.

Assessments range from essays and exams to projects. These take place throughout the course to ensure that you are reaching the right levels of attainment. Your practical skills will be assessed whist you are on placement and recorded by your practice mentor.