Faculty of Health Studies Programme Specification Programme title: BSc (Hons) Midwifery Studies Academic Year: 2015-16 Degree Awarding Body: University of Bradford Partner(s), delivery organisation or support provider (if appropriate): Final and interim award(s): BSc (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6] [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 6] Diploma of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 5] Certificate of Higher Education [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) level 4] Programme accredited by (if appropriate): Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Programme duration: 3 Years UCAS code: B720 BSc/M QAA Subject benchmark statement(s): Midwifery (2001) Date of Senate Approval: Date last confirmed and/or minor modification approved by Faculty Board August 2014 Introduction Bradford is a friendly multicultural city, where you will meet families from diverse ethnic backgrounds and all socio-economic levels. It is also the home of the Born in Bradford project, which is studying 13,000 Bradford babies over the next 20 years to learn more about the determinants of health. In Bradford there are many specialist services and community projects working to meet particular health needs. This rich diversity of experience will enhance your learning to be a health profession. Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 1 This three year undergraduate midwifery studies programme offers you a rich practice-based learning experience, which will prepare you to meet the University criteria for an Honours Degree and the National and European requirements for midwifery registration (NMC 2009). You will be prepared to engage in an ethical, informed and skilled manner in contemporary midwifery practice. You will also be equipped with self-development skills to continue to learn, develop on a personal level and meet new challenges throughout your midwifery career as an autonomous learner using the principles of Problem Based Learning (PBL). The philosophy of Problem Based Learning (PBL), whereby students learn in a participative and collaborative way, through the consideration of a series of midwifery-based problems or enigmas informed by real life situations, is fundamental to this programme. Midwives are key professionals supporting women and their families through their pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period to achieve safe and life enhancing outcomes. They are also an evolving professional group preparing to take a greater lead in co-ordinating maternity care, promoting normality and working with other groups to improve public health (DH 2010, Midwifery 2020 UK Programme 2010)). The demand for midwifery graduates remains strong both locally and nationally. The University has strong links with local maternity care providers to facilitate excellent placement learning and most of our graduates begin their midwifery careers locally as staff midwives in Bradford or Airedale. The lecturers are committed to innovative teaching and learning practices, which enhance the student experience and develop autonomous learners. We have developed a curriculum based on the principles of active collaborative learning. If you are committed to a midwifery career but are also open to learning collaboratively in groups with peers, and to using technology to enhance your learning, then you should consider applying for Midwifery Studies at the University of Bradford. At the end of the programme the Lead Midwife for Education at the University of Bradford is responsible for signing a supporting declaration of good health and good character for the purposes of registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2009 p.8). Evidence of good character and good health will be gathered as part of the selection process and during the programme to facilitate appropriate sign off at the completion of the programme. Programme Aims The programme is intended to: A1 Develop the skills and knowledge commensurate with a graduate which will enable you to meet National and European requirements for professional registration; A2 Develop the skills and knowledge which will enable you to engage in an ethical, informed and skilled manner in contemporary midwifery practice and to live and work in a globally sustainable way. A3 Develop the skills and knowledge which will enable you to meet the lifelong learning demands of working as autonomous practitioners within multi-professional teams and dynamic environments. Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 2 Programme Learning Outcomes To be eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education at FHEQ level 4, students will be able to: Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 3 LO1 Demonstrate knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with your area of study and an ability to evaluate and interpret these within the context of health. LO2 Demonstrate an ability to present, evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data to develop lines of argument and make sound judgments in accordance with basic theories and concepts relevant to health. LO3 Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems related to health. LO4 Communicate the results of your study/work accurately and reliably, and with structured and coherent arguments. LO5 Have the skills and understanding to undertake further training and develop new skills within a structured and managed environment. LO6 Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility. Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education at FHEQ level 5, students will be able to: LO7 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the principles of health and the way in which these have developed. LO8 Demonstrate an ability to apply underlying concepts and principles outside the context in which they were first studied, including the application of those principles in an employment context. LO9 Demonstrate knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in health, and ability to evaluate critically the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems in health. LO10 Demonstrate an understanding of the limits of your knowledge and how this impacts on your analyses and interpretations of that knowledge. LO11 Use a range of established techniques to initiate and undertake critical analysis of information, and to propose solutions to problems arising from that analysis. LO12 Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively. Additionally, to be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor at FHEQ level 6, students will be able to: Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 4 LO13 Evaluate and interpret midwifery clinical situations on the basis of sound knowledge of physiological concepts and the evidence base of midwifery practice. LO14 Apply and critically evaluate research evidence to inform the quality of care and practice development. LO15 Apply knowledge of professional, political and ethical principles to sustainable global midwifery practice. Promoting wellbeing through a social model of birth, and placing the woman and her family at the centre of care. LO16 Communicate, effectively and professionally, information, problems or solutions, to diverse audiences. LO17 Reflect on decision-making, demonstrating initiative and personal responsibility and accountability in midwifery practice. LO18 Assess and manage own learning and contribute to self and peer development through collaborative working and learning in both midwifery and multi-disciplinary groups. Curriculum Stage 1 FHEQ Level Module Title Type (Core/ option/ elective) Credits Semester (s) Module Code 4 Midwifery 1a (Ward/Community) core 30 1 HM4027T 4 Midwifery 1b (Ward/Community) core 30 2 HM4028T 4 Applied anatomy and physiology core 20 linked HM4028L 4 Society, Health and Wellbeing 1 core 20 linked HM4027L 4 Principles of Collaborative Professional Practice core 20 linked HEA4012 L At the end of stage 1, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Certificate of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 120 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. THIS AWARD DOES NOT CONFER ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH NMC. Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 5 Stage 2 FHEQ Level Module Title Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) Core/ Option (Honours) Credits Semester (s) Module Code 5 Midwifery 2a (Labour Ward) NA core 30 1 HM5000U 5 Midwifery 2b (Labour Ward) NA core 30 2 HM5001U 5 Applied Pathology NA core 20 linked HM5003L 5 Society, Health and Wellbeing 2 NA core 20 linked HM5002L 5 Evidencing Professional Practice NA core 20 linked HEA500 0L At the end of stage 2, students will be eligible to exit with the award of Diploma of Higher Education if they have successfully completed at least 240 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. THIS AWARD DOES NOT CONFER ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH NMC. Stage 3 FHEQ Level Semester (s) Module Code 30 1 HM6000T core 30 2 HM6001U NA core 20 linked HEA600 0L Midwifery Practice Project NA core 20 linked HM6002D Development for Midwifery Practice NA core 20 linked HM6003L Core/ Option (Approved Ordinary route) Core/ Option (Honours) Midwifery 3a (Community & Ward) Midwifery 3b (Community Based Caseload) NA core NA 6 Research for Advancing Professional Practice 6 6 6 6 Module Title Credits Students will be eligible for the award of Honours Degree of Bachelor if they have successfully completed at least 360 credits and achieved the award learning outcomes. THIS AWARD CONFERS ELIGIBILITY TO REGISTER WITH NMC. Placement and/or Study Abroad Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 6 This programme provides the option for students to undertake a work placement or period of study abroad at the end of stage 3 as part of the Development for Midwifery Practice module. For further information about study abroad opportunities please refer to http://www.bradford.ac.uk/international/erasmus-and-international-exchanges/ Learning and Teaching Strategy In this programme placement and university based learning work in tandem to ensure you have opportunities to develop, and are assessed in, all programme learning outcomes. In the university setting all module content is integrated using the PBL process. This means that you will work in a learning group to study midwifery-based enigmas, identify your own learning needs and work collaboratively in the group to address these (programme learning outcome 6). The enigmas are informed by real life situations which are designed to stimulate holistic thinking about midwifery issues in diverse contexts. Enigmas are reviewed annually to reflect any changes in health and social care agendas thus maintaining the contemporary nature of the programme for example we may use early findings of the Born in Bradford project to highlight issues around neonatal health. As a group, facilitated by a lecturer, you will identify issues arising from enigmas and share the knowledge you already have (programme learning outcome 4). This process will highlight the areas where you need further understanding. This understanding will then be developed for example through lecturers, workshops, seminars and independent study (programme learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3). Your learning will be shared in a web-based format for example group WIKI accessed via the university’s virtual learning environment. Your understanding will be consolidated by full discussion of what has been learnt in facilitated PBL feedback sessions (programme learning outcome 4). As you progress through each stage of the programme you will be guided to develop analytical skills enabling you to access an increasingly complex range of resources. This will support your ability to integrate and apply theory and practice knowledge (programme outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5). Assessment Strategy University based assessment strategies are varied to develop a range of communication, team working, and presentation skills (programme learning outcome 4), and assess the knowledge base required for informed practice (programme learning outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 5). They include seen and unseen examinations but most assessments are forms of individual and group programme work for example presentations, essays, e-Portfolio (see module descriptors for further detail). For each assessment you are required to self-assess your own achievement, thus developing your autonomous learning and self-evaluation skills (programme learning outcome 6). You will have access to a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) throughout the Programme. The role of the PAT is to provide advice and formative feedback on your academic progress. Your clinical placement learning will focus on the development of the NMC clinical competencies necessary for registration. Prior to each placement you will have Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 7 participated in clinical skills workshops which are designed to simulate practice skills. During stage 2 and 3 you will participate in simulated obstetric emergencies and practice drills using bespoke clinical skills teaching facilities. (Programme learning outcomes 1 and 5). Once on placement, you will be supported by a Link Lecturer who will advise on the completion of your e-Portfolio and by a Clinical Mentor, who will facilitate learning opportunities, provide feedback, and undertake the assessment of both essential clinical skills and the overall competencies required (programme outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). You will be expected to spend at least 40% of your time on placement with your allocated Clinical Mentor. Fifty percent of your assessment is related to direct hands on care in clinical practice, for which you will be awarded a grade (NMC, 2009 p.18). This consists of continuous assessment of your overall performance by your clinical mentor, and the completion of your clinical portfolio record using an online personal learning system. Clinical assessment will also include feedback from service users i.e. the women in your care. You are encouraged to make full use of the online personal learning system to support your studies. Reflective writing about your learning experiences is promoted in all modules as a strategy to consolidate your learning and develop analytical thinking. Assessment Regulations This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the link below; http://www.bradford.ac.uk/aqpo/ordinances-and-regulations/ However, there are 3 exceptions to these regulations as listed below: 1. Progression between stages to be 120 credits at 40.0% of which all component parts of an assessment must be achieved at a minimum of 40.0%. 2. Modules that include Clinical Practice will only be offered a single supplementary assessment and that where the requisite mark is not achieved, students will be required to withdraw from the programme or transfer to an non-professionally accredited programme within the University. 3. To complete outstanding modules within 12 weeks of the progression point. Admission Requirements The University welcomes applications from all potential students and most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Consideration of applications will be based on a combination of formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience. The minimum entry requirements for the programme are as follows: A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C or above to include: English Language Mathematics Biology or Combined Science Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 8 AND 320 UCAS points, from 3 full A levels (or vocational awards of equal depth and volume) A Health or Science-related BTEC Extended Diploma qualification (Distinction, Distinction, Merit) OR Non-Standard Entry Our non-standard offer is: An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science Those studying on Access Programmes will be asked to obtain 30 level 3 credits at Distinction (to include 15 credits in Biology) and 15 level 3 credits at Merit. The UCAS tariff applicable may vary and is published here Applications are welcome from students with non-standard qualifications or mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry). Our non-standard offer is: An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science Those studying on Access Programmes will be asked to obtain 30 level 3 credits at Distinction (to include 15 credits in Biology) and 15 level 3 credits at Merit. Recognition of Prior Learning If applicants have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate and recognise this learning in order to provide applicants with exemptions from specified modules or parts of the programme. Minor Modification Schedule Version Number Brief description of Modification Date of Approval (Faculty Board) 1 Route Code: <Enter Route Code> © University of Bradford 9