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.



About This Course

What Will I Learn?

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.



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.



Practice Placement Experience

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.



NFQ Level: 8 (120 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Higher Diploma

Stage 1 Options - A)9 of:

Students register to all year one core modules

NMHS33000 Health Promotion and the Psychology of Wellness

NMHS33030 Complexities of Pregnancy, Labour and Birth

NMHS33050 Maternal Health and the Newborn

NMHS33060 Pregnancy, Labour and Birth

NMHS33070 Anatomy and Physiology for Midwifery Practice

NMHS33040 Clinical Practice A (HDM)

NMHS33100 HDM:Evidence,Practice+Research

NMHS33420 Sociol &Social Issues Mat Care

NMHS32990 Clinical Practice B (HDM)



Stage 1 Options - B)7 of:

Students register to all year 2 core modules

NMHS33120 HDM:Emergencies+Critical Care

NMHS33390 Complexities of the Newborn

NMHS33720 Mid Leader & Empower

NMHS33020 Professional Midwifery Practice

NMHS32980 Clinical Practice C (HDM)

NMHS33080 Supported and Specialist Practice (HDM)

NMHS33090 Clinical Practice D (HDM)

Entry Requirements

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

• Have the necessary language requirements. Applicants whose first language is not English and whose primary degree was obtained in a country where English is not the official language of instruction must provide proof of proficiency in English. For more information about UCD School of Nursing and Midwifery language requirements please click here. Please note that the National Maternity Hospital may also ask for specific formal certification of English language competence as part of the application process.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Note: Applications for this course are made through the National Maternity Hospital and not through the UCD application system.



Applications for September 2025 intake will open 1st February 2025



Applications will close on April 18th 2025 with interview at the beginning of May 2025

18 months full-time.

Delivery: On Campus

X837: Midwifery

Higher Diploma



Full-Time: Commencing January 2025

Graduate Taught