Entry Points (2024)
451

Course Overview

The Bachelor of Midwifery Science course is an internationally recognised four-year degree programme during which students learn the art and science of midwifery.

The University of Galway provides this programme in partnership with the Saolta University Health Care Group. The programme consists of theoretical and clinical modules. The theoretical content aims to provide students with the knowledge necessary to underpin their professional practice. The teaching and learning strategies include lectures, seminars, workshops, experiential learning, clinical skills education and simulation in our state-of-the-art clinical skills and simulation suite.

Clinical modules are undertaken in the practice setting where students get a broad range of clinical experience in four different clinical placement sites aligned to maternity services across the Saolta University Health Care Group: University Hospital Galway, Mayo University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital. Additionally, students will attend placements in various community settings.

Following completion of the programme, students are eligible to apply to register as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), the regulatory body.

Student Support within the School and the University

The School of Nursing and Midwifery is committed to supporting students in relation to both their academic and personal development; the structures that are in place to support students within the school and university are presented below.

Academic supports 

Academic Advisor  

Each student is allocated an academic advisor for the duration of the programme. This advisor will monitor the students’ academic progress and is available to advise and support the student if they encounter difficulties either personal academic or relating to clinical practice whilst undertaking the programme.

Academic Writing Centre - Providing one-on-one tutorials and email consultations on essay writing

Library - The Library provides a wide range of services to all students. Learn about these services, opening times and lots more on their webpage.

Academic Skills Hub - This online resources hub aims to support all students to develop the key skills required for academic success and learn about IT and digital skills, workshops, assignments and exam techniques.

Student Academic Advisors - Available to meet with students who wish to discuss personal, academic, financial or any other issues that may arise while in University.

 Health and wellbeing Supports 

  • The Disability Support Service(DSS) is available to University of Galway students who need supports or reasonable accommodations due to the impact of a disability, ongoing physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difficulty.
  • Student Counsellingprovides a free hybrid service of in-person, one-to-one counselling, and online counselling. They provide group counselling and workshops. The counselling service support about 10% of the student population each year.
  • Student Health Unit Provides a wide variety of medical support services including GP services, sexual health support service and vaccination.

Support for students when on Placement

 

While on clinical placements, students are supervised by a Preceptor. This is a midwife who has been specially prepared to guide and direct student learning.  Students are also supported by the Midwifery Practice Development Coordinator and the Clinical Placement Coordinator, who, ensures that learning outcomes are identified and achieved.  Each ward / geographical area has an identified Link Lecturer  from the School of Nursing and Midwifery who is available to link with the student when they are on clinical placement to support them and manage any issues that arise.  This helps ensure that there is a close liaison between the School of Nursing and Midwifery and clinical practice in the support of students.

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Academic staff teach the course from School of Nursing and Midwifery in collaboration with specialist midwives from clinical practice. The Midwifery Lecturers include:

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science), and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.

 

Additional Requirements

Vaccination and Screening
Registered students must engage with the School of Nursing and Midwifery Vaccination and Screening programme in collaboration with the clinical partners and in line with the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) Immunisation and Health Information for Health Care Workers and others in At-Risk Occupations. Vaccinations are not mandatory, however, a student who declines to be immunised against these illnesses or who has a confirmed medical contraindication to a vaccine, and as a result will not be in a position to acquire the necessary skills or core competencies and in agreement with clinical partners will be denied placement and unable to continue on this programme.

Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting - In line with the requirements of the programme nursing and midwifery students in the University of Galway will undertake placements with external agencies, bringing them into contact with the public during which they will assume positions of trust. To ensure the protection of the public, and justify public trust and confidence, the University is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates undertake these programmes. University of Galway uses the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) and where applicable, may liaise with other vetting services* to assess the suitability of applicants for admission to such programmes. The University of Galway requires that students on nursing and midwifery programmes be Garda Vetted before they fully complete their registration as a student of the University. Students who have not completed their Garda Vetting will be registered provisionally until Garda Clearance is obtained. In the event where applicants do not meet the Garda Vetting requirements of the University.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

4 years

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades (2024)

universityofgalway.ie/alevels

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

1 (More Info)

Closing Date
NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

GY517

Course code

Course Outline

The students on the programme must successfully complete the following theory and practice modules to be eligible for registration as a midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Practice Placement

Practice placements are undertaken in the Saolta University Health Care Group: University Hospital Galway, Mayo University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital. Placements also take place in community and mental healthcare settings in the Saolta University Health Care Group.

Students are afforded the opportunity to choose self-selected placements in different jurisdictions (nationally or internationally). Students will have the opportunity to experience continuity of care initiatives, which allows them to follow a woman throughout the pregnancy continuum.

The placements per year are outlined in the table below.

Students who are required to travel to external placements may apply to the Saolta University Health Care Group for support in meeting travel and accommodation costs.

Midwifery Timetable

Learnng and Teaching

At the School of Nursing and Midwifery, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. We provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life to work and make use of innovative technologies. We have a world-class library that enhances our students’ development as independent, lifelong learners. Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this programme are:

 

·         E-Learning technologies

Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space, podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities.

 

Lectures

Introduce information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to all year group peers)

·         Practical and Simulation Based Education

We provide opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to real-life or practical contexts in our clinical skills labs and simulation suite.

·         Self-directed study

Self-directed study is an essential part of life as a University of Galway student.  This time affords the student with opportunities to undertake important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and research work for assignments.

·         Seminars/tutorials/workshops

Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students). These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic. This affords the student opportunities to ask questions, to assess progress and understanding with the support of peers. Students are also expected to make presentations and other contributions to peer groups.

·         Interprofessional Education (IPE)

Students have opportunities to engage in interprofessional learning.

Attendance

Students are expected to achieve 100% attendance in all the components of the programme (theory and practice).

 

Assessment

Assessments are carried out in a variety of formats, including written assignments, exams, poster and oral presentations, dissertations, project work, case studies and clinical skills assessment.

The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning outcomes of each module. Details of how each module is assessed is provided to all students at the start of each module.

 

 

Further Education

There are a variety of continuing professional development opportunities available to graduates of this programme, in particular postgraduate programmes within the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Galway.

Midwifery graduates can pursue further study at Masters (MSc Advanced Practice Midwifery) and PhD level.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There are many career opportunities for midwives both in Ireland and abroad, including in the hospital and community settings.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Clinical placements are undertaken in the HSE West: in University Hospital Galway, Mayo General Hospital, Castlebar, and Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe. Placements also take place in community and mental healthcare settings in the HSE West area. While on clinical placements, students will be supervised by a midwife who has been specially prepared to guide and direct student learning and act as a preceptor to the student. Students who are required to travel to distant placements may apply to the HSE West for support in meeting travel and accommodation costs.

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,106 p.a. (€7,246 p.a. including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€4,106 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student Contribution

€3,000 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€27,500 p.a. (€27,640 p.a. including levy) 2025/26


EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy* €140. *Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.  Further detail here.

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees**.
**Excludes Full-Time EU Undergraduate fees.  These are fixed and do not change.

Find out More


What Our Students Say

Shannon McHugh

Shannon McHugh Doyle |   BSc (Midwifery)

Studying midwifery in the University of Galway has not only provided me with a lifelong, rewarding career and endless opportunities but it continues to shape me into a confident, compassionate advocate for women and their families. The combination of both theoretical and practical aspects of midwifery study allows students to constantly apply learning from classroom to hands-on clinical practice. I liked the opportunity to gain experiences in all aspects of midwifery care in several different hospitals, where I learnt from many different midwives. The constant guidance and support from University lecturers, Clinical Placement coordinators, and midwives enabled me to grow as a student. They understood the challenges of student learning and they encouraged me to work to my potential and become more competent as a student midwife.
Emma

Emma Doyle |   BSc (Midwifery)

... Being a third year student, studying Midwifery in University of Galway, is challenging but definitely rewarding. I really like our new modern Nursing and Midwifery building; it's such a lovely environment and really conducive to learning. The clinical skills labs are really cool and so well equipped. They give a realistic insight into what it's like working in a hospital environment. I enjoy the fact that class sizes are small so you really get to know other students and the lecturers. The lecturers are so enthusiastic about their topics that it makes learning enjoyable and a lot easier! The support and teaching in the clinical setting given by experienced clinical staff is also great and sometimes you are learning things without even realising it...

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