Please note
Awarding Institution
Final Award
Teaching Institution
School
Department
Subject Benchmark Statement
Date of Programme Specification Approval
Version Number
Educational Aims of the Course
Course Accredited by
Course Offering(s)
Full Time
Full Time - September
Learning Outcomes
Course Structure
Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
End Point Assessment
Interim Award
Certificate of Higher Education
Diploma of Higher Education
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Study Plans
Support for Students and their Learning
Personal Academic Tutor (PAT)
The University has implemented a PAT system for full-time undergraduate learners. This system aims to both improve the learner experience of learning and teaching and increase retention and achievement rates. Specifically, PATs:
- Provide a personal contact for the learner within the University and the School.
- Act as a liaison between the learner and course leaders to seek any improvements required.
- Work with learners to develop confidence, a sense of control and a pro-active approach to studies
- Aid and direct learners to further support with revision strategies, note taking, assessment practices, use of feedback, time-management, careers and progression opportunities.
- Work with learners to review and reflect upon their own progress and if necessary, on ways to improve it.
- Recognise when the problems presented are beyond the personal tutors’ competence and seek guidance and support for the learner through the University and/or School referral processes.
- Take part in supportive training events.
- Maintain a record of PAT contact within the PAT module.
Module Leader - The module leader is responsible for teaching, learning and assessment of the modules within this course. A module handbook is available for each module studied to provide specific and supportive information.
Year leader – The year leader will have a specific understanding of matters relating to a specific year of the course.
Course Leader - The course leader is responsible for the entire quality assurance arrangements for the course. Apprentices are provided with a course handbook each year.
Practice supervisor - The practice supervisor is a registered midwife, nurse or registered health or social care professional who has current knowledge and experience relating to apprentice’s learning and development needs. The practice supervisor is appropriately prepared for the role. They are responsible for ensuring that learning opportunities are facilitated, for confirming achievement of midwifery proficiencies and EU directives in the Midwifery On-going Record of Achievement (MORA). The practice supervisor contributes to apprentice assessment through providing regular feedback to the apprentice midwife and liaising with the practice assessor as indicated by the apprentice’s learning and development.
Centre for Apprenticeships
The Centre for Apprenticeships team offers advice and guidance to apprentices, employers, staff and other stakeholders to assist them through the apprenticeship process. This includes: quality assurance, compliance, and data-collection requirements necessary to meet ESFA, Ofsted and University regulatory requirements for apprenticeship courses. The team also supports the administrative processes linked to recruitment to the courses, ensuring apprenticeship funding rules and University regulations are followed and evidence packs are completed. The team monitors off-the-job hours, attendance of learners, reviews progress made, supplies data to practice partners as requested, plans and administers End-Point Assessment Gateway and End-Point Assessments with external EPA Organisations (where applicable).
This section is continued in the attachment.
Criteria for Admission
Apprentice midwives are employees. Applicants will be considered if they are selected by the host organisation and will be interviewed for the midwifery course by practice organisation managers (or delegates) and midwifery academics from the University.
The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities. We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University. We encourage local and national applications.
International applications for apprenticeship programmes are not permitted. To use funds in an employer’s apprenticeship levy account, an individual must have a valid and eligible residency status’
Accreditation of prior learning - the NMC (2019a) Standards for pre-registration midwifery programmes stipulate that “recognition of prior learning is not permitted for pre-registration midwifery programmes”.
Learners transferring from one institution to another must ensure their previous learning is mapped against the new course.
The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in the ‘Regulations for Awards which can be found on the Registry website as follows:
http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/
Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process. All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a selection event facilitated by the admissions team. Academics, practice partners, service users and carers and current midwifery learners contribute to the selection processes and events.
General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:
Telephone: 01484 472675
Email: disability@hud.ac.uk
Further information is available at their website at: http://www.hud.ac.uk/disability-services/
In addition this course can lead to eligibility to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by visiting the NMC website at https://www.nmc.org.uk/ and by contacting the admissions tutor.
The specific entry requirements and admission criteria for this course are detailed below.
BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies (Degree Apprenticeship) academic entry requirements:
- BBC at A Level including a Biological Science but excluding General Studies. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A-level study and is a requirement for entry to our degree courses.
- DMM in BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (with a minimum of 4 units in Biological Sciences)
- NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at Grade B.
- Applications for the BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies (Degree Apprenticeship) will not be made through UCAS. However, the entry requirements will be the equivalent of 112 UCAS tariff points from a maximum of three Level 3 qualifications including an A level Biological Science at a minimum grade B and excluding General Studies. The endorsement for practical work is an essential part of Science A-Level study and is a requirement for entry to our degree courses.
- Alternatively, a Distinction in BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care is acceptable.
- Pass Access to Higher Education Diploma with at least 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit. The course must contain 18 credits in a Biological Science.
- In addition, GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme will need to be evidenced prior to commencing on the programme. Alternatively, level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English will also be accepted.
- Applicants with significant experience working as a Maternity Support Worker or Senior Healthcare Assistant who have completed an appropriately recognised course as part of their role will be considered for interview.
Professional/Statutory body requirements for admission.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2023) Standards require learners at the point of entry to demonstrate:
- an understanding of the role and scope of practice of the midwife
- values in accordance with the Code and have the capability to learn behaviours in accordance with the Code (NMC, 2018c)
- capability to develop digital and technological literacy to meet programme outcomes
- learners’ health and character are sufficient to enable safe and effective practice on entering the programme
- good character and good health. This includes satisfactory occupational health assessments and clearance. All candidates will be required to complete a Rehabilitation of Offenders form and have an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. Where candidates have lived overseas for a period of 6 months of more a certificate of good conduct/overseas police check will be required.
Evidence Pack
Prior to entry onto the midwifery apprenticeship, applicants will be required to complete a needs assessment and evidence pack. This will include a Training Plan that is signed by the apprentice, the employer, and University of Huddersfield as the provider for the apprenticeship.
16.11 Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by contacting the admissions tutor and by visiting the course finder website page.
Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning
The School is committed to comprehensive learner engagement and works actively with the University of Huddersfield Student Union to support this through the learner representative system see further information at: http://www.huddersfield.su/courserepwebsite
Within the School, learners are represented at committee level from Student Panels and Course Committee to the School Board. The School also has a Student Council. Individual feedback on the quality and standards of teaching and learning is received through module and course evaluations. For placements, an online Practice Assessment Record and Evaluation Tool (PARE) generates placement quality metrics, incorporating learner placement evaluations and placement audits.
Service users and carer representatives are invited to attend and contribute to biannual Course Committee meetings as part of quality assurance processes. They are involved in the programme design, delivery, and evaluation.
An effective external examination system is managed by Registry and all reports are viewed at university, School, and course levels. External Examiner and learner feedback, as well as all statistical data about the course, is reported through the course committee structure and scrutinised through the University wide annual evaluation process. Feedback from learners and external examiners informs the course structure and delivery.
The University has a Diversity, Equality and Inclusivity Enhancement Committee (UEDIEC) and the School has a Diversity Champion, both of which support and drive forward the curriculum development. As part of the proactive commitment to inclusion, the progress of learners by individual characteristics is monitored at University and School level to support ongoing action planning. This includes data about continuation, progression, and differential attainment by different characteristics such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, participation of local areas (POLAR), Index of Multiple Deprivation and disability.
Learner and employers involved in apprenticeships are also able to provide feedback through participation in the respective Apprenticeship Surveys.
Ofsted and inspections
Ofsted inspects the quality of apprenticeships at all levels, which makes it the single body responsible for their quality assurance.
This means that Ofsted carries out inspections of apprenticeship training at universities and colleges registered with the Office for Students (OfS). It then reports its judgements to OfS and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).
Please note
University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.
Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.
Regulation of Assessment
This section has been uploaded as an attachment
Exception to Regulations
NMC-specific assessment regulation
- The pass mark is 40% for each theoretical assessment in line with university regulations.
- The medicines calculation test must be achieved at 100% by the end of the course (NMC, 2019a).
- Students are required to pass all components of summative assessments in both theory and practice in order to be awarded Bc (Hons) Midwifery Studies.
- In order to progress, or be eligible for registration, students are required to pass all theory and complete the requirements of the Midwifery On-going Record of Achievement (MORA). All proficiencies in the MORA are awarded either pass/ fail, for which approval has been granted by the PVC for Teaching and Learning.
- There is no condonement on this course.
- There is no compensation in assessments across all theory and practice learning (NMC, 2018a).
- To qualify for the award of the BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies, students must complete all the course requirements, and only students who successfully obtain 360 credits and successfully meet the NMC Standards will be eligible to apply for registration and entry to the Professional Register.
- On completion of the course students have five years in which to apply to register with the NMC if they wish to rely on this qualification. If they fail to register their qualification within five years, they will have to undertake additional education and training or gain such experience as specified in the NMC standards (NMC 2018a).
- Derogation will apply to this course to facilitate individualised assessment schedules where necessary.