Midwifery Degree Apprenticeship BSc

If you are already working in an employed support role and looking to study and graduate with full registration as a midwife, this degree apprenticeship is for you! Modern midwives play a vital role in the community and make profound impact in countless ways. Designed in collaboration with practice partners, service users, and advocacy groups, this programme will support you to transform into an exceptionally skilled midwife dedicated to delivering safe, person centred, compassionate care. 

• Our state-of-the-art maternal and neonatal facilities will allow you to develop your clinical skills in a safe environment before applying in real-world practice.
• Experience online teaching for a flexible learning experience.
• Learn from senior academics, researchers, and clinical midwives at a leading research-intensive university renowned for its groundbreaking work in maternal and neonatal health.
• Develop holistic care and decision-making skills through your very own Virtual Midwifery Caseload. 
• By collaborating with an active public engagement midwifery group, we are dedicated to ensuring our programme and resources prioritise the needs of service-users.

Gain real-world experience through local clinical placements

Our strong placement partnerships with local NHS employers ensure you will be supported and exposed to a range of specialist, high-quality, local placements tailored to your needs. Supported by academic assessors, practice supervisors, and placement managers, you'll rotate through clinical areas, carry a small caseload, and follow women to their appointments and births. You'll also undertake a specialist placement block, working with midwifery experts, agencies, and researchers.

• Online learning - Engage in live lectures, seminars, interactive workshops, and small group tutorials. Access dedicated online materials for flexible study.
• Virtual Midwifery caseload - You will be allocated your very own Virtual Midwifery Caseload which reflects the insights of those who have directly experienced maternity services. 
• Skills and simulation days - Prior to placements, you'll practice key midwifery skills, engage in simulations, and learn pelvic examinations with our gynaecological teaching associates. 

Support during your studies

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham:

Personal academic tutors – You will be assigned your own personal academic tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Student Services Centre - Located within the Medical School, our Wellbeing Officers are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you need advice and guidance, referrals to internal and external services, or help with extenuating circumstances, drop into our student services centre for comprehensive support.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career.

Assessment methods

You will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include essays, projects, presentations, portfolios, written and practical examinations. 

Contact hours

• Year 1: Approximately 25% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 25% on independent study and 50% on placement.
• Year 2: Approximately 25% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 25% on independent study and 50% on placement.
• Year 3: Approximately 20% in scheduled teaching (lectures, small group tutorials and lab practice), 30% on independent study and 50% on placement.

The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

In order to access this apprenticeship training opportunity, you must be employed by an NHS Trust partner that holds an updated employer apprenticeship agreement contract with the University of Birmingham, before the University can share an application link. Full employer support and confirmation of Levy funding is required from NHS employers.

Required subjects and grades

You must have a level 3 qualification that includes a science element. Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above which must include English, Mathematics and a Science subject. We accept level 2 Functional or Key skills. 

You must meet in full both the GCSE and Level 3/higher qualification entry requirements. The only exception to meeting the GCSE requirements in full applies to some Access applicants.

Minimum age requirement

As this programme has a mandatory clinical placement, every applicant for admission to the University must have reached the age of 18 years on 1 October of the year of entry.

Applications and recruitment are handled by NHS Employer Partners, not the university.

You will need to apply for the Apprenticeship through a partner employer who, in addition to our academic requirements, will have their own selection criteria. You can also contact your employer’s Education/Apprenticeship Lead for information about the apprenticeships offered. Most employer partners require midwifery degree apprentices to hold a current contract as a support worker. If you are looking for a support role you can apply through NHS Jobs .

For any apprenticeship enquiries please contact the Central Apprenticeship Teams on  apprenticeship enquiry form.

Propel yourself into a wide range of career opportunities inside and outside NHS employer partner trusts, including options to work as a hospital or community-based midwife, in research or education, specialist midwifery, leadership, management or in an international position. Become a confident practitioner and future leader, adept at using research and evidence to guide your practice.

We encourage our NHS employer partners to offer apprentice contracts that stipulate an offer of guaranteed employment as a midwife on successful completion of the programme.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Flexible programmes to suit you

Not sure what you want to study?

Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.