Nursing - Midwifery

Course Outline

The MSc Midwifery is a taught programme for midwives running over two years from the date of first registration for the programme. This programme is for Registered Midwives only. Registered General Nurses who wish to become Registered Midwives should apply for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery.



Exit Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies (NFQ Level 9, Major Award)

Upon successful completion and passing Year 1 modules to the value of 60 credits students may exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies. NB: holders of the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery Studies as not eligible to apply to the NMBI for registration as a midwife.



A student who subsequently wishes to continue progression for the degree of Master must complete the programme within 5 academic years from the date of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examinations, subject to the programme being available.

Students take 90 credits as follows:



Year 1 (60 credits)

NU6005 Research Methods (10 credits)

NU6070 Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)



plus elective modules (subject to availability) to the value of 40 credits to be chosen from the following:

NU6140 Woman-Centred Care (10 credits)

NU6153 Preparation for Birth and Parenthood Facilitation (10 credits)

NU6167 Maternity Critical Care (10 credits)

NU6201 Personal and Professional Portfolio (10 credits)

NU6301 Personal and Professional Development (10 credits)

NU6303 Advancing Practice for Patient Safety (10 credits)

NU6306 Clinical Leadership for Healthcare Quality Improvement (10 credits)

NU6310 Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice for Quality Improvement in Healthcare (10 credits)

NU6312 Contemporary Issues in Healthcare (10 credits)

NU6313 Digital Healthcare (10 credits)



Note: Not all modules will be offered each year. Alternatively, students may take up to a maximum of 10 credits, relevant to the MSc programme with the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery and subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 10 credits above.



Year 2

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6151 Dissertation in Midwifery (20 credits)

Entry to Year 1 MSc (Midwifery) (MSCMW)



Applicants for the MSc (Midwifery) must:



have a minimum primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Nursing or Midwifery or a qualification approved by the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

AND



hold professional registration as a midwife with the NMBI (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland) or be eligible for such registration.



Direct Entry to MSc (Midwifery) Year 2 (MSCMWF2)



Applicants for Direct Entry to Year 2 of the MSc (Midwifery) must have successfully completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery (NFQ, Level 9) or equivalent, or a Higher Diploma in Midwifery (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent.



NB: Successful completion of the MSc Midwifery does not confer graduates with eligibilty to apply to the NMBI for registration as a midwife.



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.



Non-EU Closing Date

Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

2 years part-time

Pathway: MSCMWF; Direct Entry Yr 2: MSCMWF2

Start Date 14 September 2026

Skills and Careers Information



On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:



Practise with greater insight of the research-base, ethical, socio-political and professional underpinnings of midwifery and health care in Ireland;



Exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in midwifery practice;



Demonstrate higher levels of judgment in the practice of midwifery through the generation of midwifery knowledge for innovative, research-based midwifery practice;



Act as innovators and leaders and contribute to practice development in midwifery;



Teach others from a broad and in-depth knowledge base, derived from critical reflection on midwifery practice and the development of critical inquiry in midwifery



Exercise accountability and autonomy within the clinical and professional boundaries of midwifery;



Promote excellence in assessment and implementation of research-based practice, within agreed inter-disciplinary protocols in midwifery practice;



Demonstrate high levels of judgment in the practice of nursing/midwifery through the generation of knowledge for innovative midwifery practice.