Nursing - Midwifery

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery is an 18-month full-time add-on course for Registered General Nurses who wish to become midwives.



The programme is delivered in partnership with Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda and will provide students with the knowledge and skills required to carry out their duties as a midwife in accordance with the definition of a midwife adapted from the International Confederation of Midwives’ (ICM 2011) definition and adopted by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).



The programme is suited to Registered General Nurses with NMBI who:

- Wish to care for women and families in a holistic manner before, during and after pregnancy

- Have an interest in health and wellbeing, particularly women’s health and wellbeing.

- Have an interest in specialised neonatal care and care of healthy new-born infants.



Work Placement

Throughout this programme time is balanced between college and clinical placements.

Subjects taught

Semester 1:

HDip The Profession of Midwifery

HDip Midwifery Practice 1

HDip Midwifery and Women’s Health

HDip Clinical 1



Semester 2:

HDip Midwifery Practice 2

HDip The Healthy Neonate

HDip Sensitive Midwifery

HDip Clinical 2



Semester 3:

HDip Midwifery Practice 3

HDip The Complex Neonate

HDip Developing the Profession of Midwifery

HDip Clinical 3

Entry requirements

The HSE has identified that applicants must:

- Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered.



- Have a minimum of 6 months post registration experience as an RGN within the past 3 years, working a minimum of 78 hours per month.

Application dates

How To Apply

The next intake for this course is September 2025. Please complete the form at the link above to register your interest and be notified when applications are open.

Duration

18 months full-time. Delivery: On Campus.



Course Delivery

The following learning and teaching strategies underpin this programme:

- Enquiry Based Learning (EBL)

- Tutorials

- Lectures

- Group Work / Seminars

- Clinical / Practical Skills

- Clinical Placements



The programme is normally divided into three semesters with a combination of theoretical and clinical modules being provided each semester.

Enrolment dates

Start Date: September 2025.

Post Course Info

Career Opportunities

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme will provide the appropriate foundation for midwives to practice following registration. This will be the basis of a career trajectory and will help prepare midwives for continuing professional development. Career pathways can be considered in terms of clinical, management, education and research pathways.

More details
  • Qualification letters

    HDip

  • Qualifications

    Higher Diploma (Level 8 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Daytime,Full time

  • Apply to

    Course provider