Nursing - Midwifery

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme is offered in partnership with the National Maternity Hospital. Upon successful completion of the programme students are eligible for registration as a Registered Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the award of Higher Diploma in Midwifery from University College Dublin at level 8 National Qualification Authority Ireland Framework.

The National Maternity Hospital is currently accepting applications for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery Programme. For an application form please visit the National Maternity Hospital website.

Who is the Programme for?

This programme is for Registered General Nurses who want to become midwives.

The process of pregnancy and giving birth to a baby is one of the most important events in the life of a woman and her partner. Midwives provide support, information, skilled and compassionate care during this process, and prepare the woman and her partner to care for their baby confidently after the birth. While many women have a completely normal childbearing experience, some women and their babies have more complex needs. All women benefit from the care that a skilled and compassionate midwife provides. On this programme, you will be thoroughly prepared to provide high quality, reflective, compassionate and evidence-based midwifery care to childbearing women and their babies.

Programme Structure
This full-time, 18-month programme runs continuously over 4 trimesters. Students will alternate between 6 or 7 week theory blocks in UCD and clinical placements in the National Maternity Hospital. At the end of each trimester is an examination period where different kinds of assessments are held such as objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE’s), MCQ’s and online exams. Some modules will also have coursework such as written assignments and posters. Full attendance at scheduled class in UCD is mandatory. Annual leave is allocated during clinical placement only.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

This programme is for Registered General Nurses who want to become midwives.

The process of pregnancy and giving birth to a baby is one of the most important events in the life of a woman and her partner. Midwives provide support, information, skilled and compassionate care during this process, and prepare the woman and her partner to care for their baby confidently after the birth. While many women have a completely normal childbearing experience, some women and their babies have more complex needs. All women benefit from the care that a skilled and compassionate midwife provides. On this programme, you will be thoroughly prepared to provide high quality, reflective, compassionate and evidence-based midwifery care to childbearing women and their babies.

Programme Structure
This full-time, 18-month programme runs continuously over 4 trimesters. Students will alternate between 6 or 7 week theory blocks in UCD and clinical placements in the National Maternity Hospital. At the end of each trimester is an examination period where different kinds of assessments are held such as objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE’s), MCQ’s and online exams. Some modules will also have coursework such as written assignments and posters. Full attendance at scheduled class in UCD is mandatory. Annual leave is allocated during clinical placement only.

Who should apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No

All clinical practice experience is gained at the National Maternity Hospital, one of the leading maternity hospitals In Ireland. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in all areas of midwifery practice under supervision, including community midwifery. You are provided with a preceptor during each of your clinical practice placements, and you are also supported by a programme specific Clinical Midwifery Tutor who provides clinical teaching at the bedside and through clinical tutorials.

What will I study?

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme is designed to provide Registered General Nurses with education and clinical practice experience in the art and science of midwifery. The programme is highly structured, and progressive, building on the knowledge and experience you have already gained as a registered nurse, and helping you to adapt your skills to the maternity care environment. When you commence the programme you are initially prepared with foundational midwifery modules which provide you with a firm base for further development. Subsequent modules enhance your knowledge, confidence and clinical practice abilities. During the programme you also learn about the wider social, regulatory and quality assurance dimensions of maternity care, the place of research in developing a quality service, how to provide safe and effective midwifery care, working collaboratively and effectively in teams, and the importance of developing good communication and interpersonal skills in order to work effectively in partnership with women and their partners during the maternity care cycle. When you commence the programme, you are provided with the sequence of theory and clinical practice for the duration of the 18-month programme. All theory modules are provided in UCD, and a variety of teaching and learning strategies are used, such as lectures, group work and tutorials, some of which will be delivered online. You will also spend time in our clinical skills laboratory, where you will learn all of the new technical skills you will need before progressing onto clinical placements. A variety of module assessment strategies are employed, to cater for different learning styles.

All clinical practice experience is gained at the National Maternity Hospital, one of the leading maternity hospitals In Ireland. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in all areas of midwifery practice under supervision, including community midwifery. You are provided with a preceptor during each of your clinical practice placements, and you are also supported by a programme specific Clinical Midwifery Tutor who provides clinical teaching at the bedside and through clinical tutorials.

In order to apply for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery programme in UCD you must:

- Hold a primary degree in Nursing or equivalent

- Be currently registered as a Registered General Nurse with the
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

- Have at least six month’s post-registration acute clinical nursing experience.

- Be successful in the National Maternity Hospital screening and interview process

From 2 April 2018, applicants for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) who have qualifications from outside of Ireland must satisfy NMBI that they have the necessary knowledge of English to communicate effectively in their practice. Please refer to NMBI website: (opens in a new window)https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland/English-Language-Requirements. Please note that the National Maternity Hospital could request specific formal certification of English language competence as part of the application process.

The National Maternity Hospital is currently accepting applications for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery Programme. For an application form please visit the National Maternity Hospital website

18 months full-time.

Next Intake: March 2024