Nursing - Midwifery

This is an 18-month programme for Registered General Nurses that leads to a Higher Diploma in Midwifery and registration as a Registered Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).



The programme is full time and is offered in partnership with Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH). Successful applicants will have EU Fees paid by the HSE subject to certain conditions. Students receive an 18-month contract of employment with CUMH and as an employee of the maternity services, must meet certain contractual obligations. Details will be provided in the contract of employment under the HSE Midwifery Sponsorship arrangements. Click here for further information: HSE Sponsorship Scheme.



The theoretical component of the programme is delivered over 26 weeks, with lectures in UCC and CUMH, and the practice component consists of 52 weeks of midwifery practice which includes annual leave. Midwifery practice includes a 24-hour cycle of care for mothers and babies therefore student midwives work day and night duty including weekends.



Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students have an opportunity to gain experience in an area relevant to midwifery practice locally, nationally or internationally during a one week elective placement. This week is self-funded.

You will take 90 credits total over the 18 months of the programme as follows:

Year 1 (duration nine months)



Part A

NU5093 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Neonate 1 (10 credits)

NU5095 Supporting Mothers during Pregnancy and Parenthood (10 credits)

NU5057 Professionalism for Midwifery Practice (5 credits)

NU5058 Health Promotion for Midwifery Practice (5 credits)

NU5073 Evidence Based Midwifery Practice (5 credits)

SS5806 Social Policy and Midwifery Practice (5 credits)



Part B

NU5088 Midwifery Practice I (10 credits)



Year 2 (duration nine months)

Part A

NU5043 Ethics for Midwives (5 credits)

NU5059 Childbirth and the Neonate II (10 credits)

NU5096 Normal Childbirth: Issues and Debates (5 credits)

NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)



Part B

NU5089 Midwifery Practice II (10 credits)



Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Requirements

• Applicants must be registered as a general nurse (RGN) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

• The HSE requires that applicants are required to have 6 months post registration experience as an RGN within the past 3 years, working a minimum of 78 hours per month. Verification will be required on application.

• The application form and interview is competency-based.



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.

Recruitment is through the HSE National Recruitment Service. For details please see:

https://healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/education-and-continuous-professional-development/cpd-for-nurses-and-midwives/onmsd-sponsorship-schemes/student-midwife-recruitment-scheme.html



Potential applicants are advised to check this website for application details and closing dates.

Assessment is through a variety of approaches including written assignments, class presentations and end-of-year examinations. Assessment of midwifery practice is a continuous process and includes the assessment of midwifery skills and competencies for practice.

18 months full-time.

Start Date: September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

Midwives are expected to be responsive to the changing needs of women and their families and therefore need an educational input that positively influences their practice and develops their sense of autonomy. This course sets out to achieve this while meeting and maintaining the professional and practice requirements for post-registration midwifery education. You will be prepared to be proactive as a midwife in effecting change that will benefit mothers and babies.