Midwifery

Midwifery is one of the oldest healthcare professions and one of the most significant: midwives provide continuity of care to women and birthing people from conception through pregnancy, labour and the early postnatal period, and they work with newborns during the critical first days of life. It is both an art and a science, requiring clinical knowledge and technical skill alongside the warmth, communication and presence that make a real difference to people's experiences of birth. Midwives practise autonomously and are accountable for their decisions and the care they provide.

At the University of Derby, this three-year full-time programme prepares you to become a compassionate, knowledgeable and accountable midwife. You will study the science and practice of midwifery, developing a thorough understanding of the health of women and newborns, the physiology of pregnancy and childbirth, and the management of both normal and complicated situations. You will gain extensive clinical experience through placements in maternity settings, including antenatal care, labour and delivery and postnatal wards, building the practical skills and professional confidence that safe, effective practice requires.

The programme is demanding and rewarding in equal measure, and it calls for students who are genuinely motivated by the care of women and families at one of the most important moments of their lives.

Successful completion of the degree leads to registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Graduates work in NHS maternity services, birth centres, community midwifery teams and independent practice. Many go on to develop specialist expertise in areas such as high-risk obstetrics, infant feeding support, maternal mental health or bereavement care.

Leadership roles, midwifery education and research are established career pathways, and the profession offers a deeply purposeful career with strong demand throughout the UK and internationally.