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Programme Information & PLOs
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Title of the new programme – including any year abroad/ in industry variants
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BA (Hons) Midwifery Practice Programme
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Level of qualification
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Please select:Level 6
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Please indicate if the programme is offered with any year abroad / in industry variants Year in Industry Please select Y/NNo
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Year AbroadPlease select Y/NNo
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Department(s): Where more than one department is involved, indicate the lead department
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Lead Department Health Sciences
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Other contributing Departments:
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Programme Leader
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Helen Recchia
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Purpose and learning outcomes of the programme
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Statement of purpose for applicants to the programme
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The BA (Hons) in Midwifery Practice is not just a degree; it gives entry to a challenging and rewarding professional career. The programme at the University of York is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and on successful completion you will gain entry to the relevant part of the register and be qualified to work as a midwife. The programme will equip you to be a safe, clinically competent, reflective practitioner and leader within contemporary midwifery, maternity, and health care. The programme philosophy focuses on both the 'art' and 'science' of midwifery. You will develop effective interpersonal skills to work with women, families and colleagues and provide compassionate care in a variety of social and cultural contexts. To underpin this practice you will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the biological science related to pregnancy and childbirth. Through a range of academic and practical modules you will gain skills and knowledge to enable you to provide evidence-based holistic, women-centred care. Our smaller cohort size encourages greater peer support, and varied interactive teaching and learning strategies which promotes student engagement. Distinctive elements include an elective placement which affords you the opportunity to gain diverse midwifery experiences nationally and/or internationally, and a variety of practice placements in hospitals, midwifery led units and community settings. The programme is fully accredited by the Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) which sets standards to facilitate effective parent-baby relationships and choices regarding infant feeding.
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Programme Learning Outcomes
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PLOOn successful completion of the programme, graduates will be able to:
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1Work as lead professionals, providing competent, evidence-based midwifery care for women and their families across the child-bearing journey from antenatal support, through birth, to post-natal provision
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2Apply a holistic, compassionate, woman-centred approach to midwifery care
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3Manage the risks associated with complex pregnancies and work within multi-disciplinary teams to deal appropriately with obstetric emergencies
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4Develop excellent relationships with women and their families, and with colleagues, through advanced communication and interpersonal skills that respect individual diversity
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5Promote the safety of women, babies, and their families by working effectively within multi-professional health and social care teams, and as autonomous, accountable practitioners
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6Critically evaluate the impact of public health policies and agendas on maternity provision locally, nationally and internationally
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7Apply theories of leadership and change management to lead and innovate midwifery care
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8Reflect critically on their midwifery practice, in the context of their professional networks, to enable their ongoing professional development
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Programme Learning Outcome for year in industry (where applicable)
For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year in Industry’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year in industry b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year in industry by alteration of the standard PLOs.
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Not applicable
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Programme Learning Outcome for year abroad programmes (where applicable)
For programmes which lead to the title ‘with a Year Abroad’ – typically involving an additional year – please provide either a) amended versions of some (at least one, but not necessarily all) of the standard PLOs listed above, showing how these are changed and enhanced by the additional year abroad or b) an additional PLO, if and only if it is not possible to capture a key ability developed by the year abroad by alteration of the standard PLOs.
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Not applicable
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Explanation of the choice of Programme Learning Outcomes Please explain your rationale for choosing these PLOs in a statement that can be used for students (such as in a student handbook). Please include brief reference to:
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i) Why the PLOs are considered ambitious or stretching?
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The PLOs encompass what a graduate will be expected to do at the point of registration with the NMC. Throughout the programme the student will learn to appraise and critically evaluate contemporary evidence-based practice with the aim to consistently provide care to a high standard. The PLOs reflect the fact that graduate midwives are required to effectively work with managing complexity, with high levels of autonomy, within a demanding clinical environment. There is an expectation not only of theoretical understanding (assessed through a variety of methods that require advanced academic skills), but also of a demonstration of practice capability that combines that theoretical knowledge and practical skills which are also assessed by the grading of students in clinical practice. Students must not only demonstrate academic knowledge , but the ability to apply this knowledge to the clinical environment and midwifery practice. The PLOs are ambitious in that they underpin a programme that has application to a wide range of opportunities within the broad field of midwifery practice. They also reflect our expectation that students will graduate as competent, caring midwives who are committed to career-long learning and professional development.
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ii) The ways in which these outcomes are distinctive or particularly advantageous to the student:
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These outcomes are distinctive for midwifery practice however not to other midwifery programmes as they are based on the NMC (2009) Standards and are essential in order to be able to practice as a midwife within the UK and internationally. The outcomes are a platform for the graduate to engage in life-long learning, further educational opportunites and enable entry for the student into a graduate career.
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iii) How the programme learning outcomes develop students’ digital literacy and will make appropriate use of technology-enhanced learning (such as lecture recordings, online resources, simulations, online assessment, ‘flipped classrooms’ etc)?
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Developing students' digital literacy: Throughout the programme the use of an e-portfolio (PebblePad) supports student learning in a clinical environment. Students develop learning contracts, record tripartite reviews, evidence their competencies and are graded in practice using the e-portfolio. Graduates can continue to use this resource to evidence life-long learning. Within the programme students evidence the development of their digital literacy skills within their clinical competencies. Appropriate use of technology-enhanced learning: Some theoretical modules are supported by lecture capture. Resources for each theoretical module are available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) enabling students to prepare for and revisit taught content. Some assessments are designed to develop digital literacy e.g. poster and elective presentations. Assessments are submitted via the VLE in electronic format. Simulation is a key component of the programme using both digital recordings and high-fidelity equipment in the Clinical Simulation Unit (CSU). Students have timetabled sessions throughout the programme from the support of the library. In addition, in the second year of the programme the students undertake a 10 credit module (Knowledge and Evidence Informing Midwifery Practice) where student learning is focussed on developing research skills, critiquing evidence and accessing resources effectively. Digital literacy has been expanded with all assessments being submitted electronically. Utilising the VLE for remote learning over the past year where the majority of teaching and learning for midwifery students has been remote has also enhanced and develped students digital literacy.
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iv) How the PLOs support and enhance the students’ employability (for example, opportunities for students to apply their learning in a real world setting)?
The programme's employablity objectives should be informed by the University's Employability Strategy:
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Employability for midwifery students is excellent, with 95-100% consistent success rate. Midwifery students work in clinical practice throughout each of the stages of the programme and, consequently, develop insight into employer's expectations and learn about different cultures within healthcare organisations. Subsequently, students have regular opportunities throughout the programme (e.g. practice modules, personal supervisors, reflection of practice) to make links between theoretical considerations/expectations and clinical realities. In the second year of the programme, students have an opportunity to undertake an elective placement which enables further opportunity to consider employment in areas of particular interest in maternity provision to the student. Additionally, during the final year of the programme, students receive careers support: first, in partnership with the Careers Service, students are supported to develop applications/CVs; finally, again in partnership with the practice partners a 'mock' interview session is offered for all third year students to enhance their skills and confidence. "Baby Friendly Initiative" BFI UNICEF Accredited Programme. Programme meets the NMC and UNICEF standards for infant feeding education and this can be seen as a positive to a students employment opportunities. Similarly the programme meets NMC and International confederation of midwives (ICM) educational standards. Students engagement with e-Portfolio and this encourages reflective practice and continuing professional development, which will inform their revalidation for clinical practice. Excellent relationships between education and practice have been fostered and are well established. This engagement of local practice partners through learning and assessment elements of the programme supports robust professional application and employability. Elective placements have been reinstated this year (UK based only) for second year students following the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hoped that next year this opportunity can be offered to students internationally again, if they desire.
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vi) How will students who need additional support for academic and transferable skills be identified and supported by the Department?
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Students with known existing learning disabilities are supported via the designated disability support officer within the department. Strategies and provisions are put in place on an individual basis for both practical and theoretical components of the programme. All students are allocated a personal supervisor to support them through their programme and where learning needs are identfied during the programme, personal supervisors will support and signpost students to relevant services such as the Academic Writing Centre and The Open Door. The midwifery programme utilises the departmental model of academic support which has been implemented for the past few academic years. This is in response to NSS feedback and student evaluations and, following a successful pilot with previous 3rd year nursing students, this is now rolled out across all undergraduate programmes within the department. This essentially strengthens a module team approach and standardises formative assessments, feedback and summative assessment support. Additional support is available such as the Academic Writing Centre and the programme also works closely with the Writing Centre and Library team. Within the model of academic supervision, students are encouraged to seek support for their studies and assessments (both formative and summative) from members of the module team.
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vii) How is teaching informed and led by research in the department/ centre/ University?
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National and international research papers in peer reviewed journals are incorporated into teaching in order to provide evidence and support student learning. Researchers within the department support students on the programme with specific sessions to develop research knowledge and practice and share with students relevant research studies that may influence midwifery practice. This bridges the gap often for students between theory and practice. The Health Sciences Department has an international reputation for health-related and health-care provision research. Current and developing research from the department is also incorporated into teaching. Some members of the Midwifery Education Team are currently supporting MSc and PhD students, this expertise within the team promotes undergraduate students to consider study at a higher level and encourages students to access quality evidence-based resources to support their learning. All members of the Midwifery Education Team have evidence of study at Masters (Level 7) or above.
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Stage-level progression
Please complete the table below, to summarise students’ progressive development towards the achievement of PLOs, in terms of the characteristics that you expect students to demonstrate at the end of each year. This summary may be particularly helpful to students and the programme team where there is a high proportion of option modules.

Note: it is not expected that a position statement is written for each PLO, but this can be done if preferred (please add information in the 'individual statement' boxes). For a statement that applies across all PLOs in the stage fill in the 'Global statement' box.
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Stage 0 (if your programme has a Foundation year, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
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Stage 1
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On progression from the first year (Stage 1), students will be able to:apply aesthetic and empirical knowledge to working in partnership with women and their families and across multi-disciplinary teams and agencies.
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PLO 1PLO 2PLO 3PLO 4PLO 5PLO 6PLO 7PLO 8
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Individual statements
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Stage 2
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On progression from the second year (Stage 2), students will be able to:apply specialist knowledge and interpersonal skills across increasingly complex clinical situations for women and their families within a contemporary maternity service provision.
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PLO 1PLO 2PLO 3PLO 4PLO 5PLO 6PLO 7PLO 8
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Individual statements
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Stage 3
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(For Integrated Masters) On progression from the third year (Stage 3), students will be able to:
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PLO 1PLO 2PLO 3PLO 4PLO 5PLO 6PLO 7PLO 8
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Individual statements
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Programme Structure
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Module Structure and Summative Assessment Map
Please complete the summary table below which shows the module structure and the pattern of summative assessment through the programme.

‘Option module’ can be used in place of a specific named option. If the programme requires students to select option modules from specific lists these lists should be provided in the next section.

From the drop-down select 'S' to indicate the start of the module, 'A' to indicate the timing of each distinct summative assessment point (eg. essay submission/ exam), and 'E' to indicate the end of the module (if the end of the module coincides with the summative assessment select 'EA') . It is not expected that each summative task will be listed where an overall module might be assessed cumulatively (for example weekly problem sheets).

If summative assessment by exams will be scheduled in the summer Common Assessment period (weeks 5-7) a single ‘A’ can be used within the shaded cells as it is understood that you will not know in which week of the CAP the examination will take place.
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Stage 0 (if you have modules for Stage 0, use the toggles to the left to show the hidden rows)
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Stage 1
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CreditsModuleAutumn TermSpring Term Summer Term
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CodeTitle123456789101234567891012345678910
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30HEA00009CFoundations for Midwifery Practice 1: Antenatal CareS
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20HEA00010CFoundations for Midwifery Practice 2: Postnatal CareSEA
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20HEA00011CFoundations for Midwifery Practice 3: Intrapartum CareSEA
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20HEA00022CThe Transition to Professional SelfS
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30HEA000074CMidwifery Practice 1&2S
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Stage 2
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CreditsModuleAutumn TermSpring Term Summer Term
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CodeTitle123456789101234567891012345678910
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10HEA00026IProfessional & Legal Frameworks Regulating Midwifery PracticeSEA
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20HEA00025IPublic Health in MidwiferyS
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20HEA00022IApplied Midwifery PracticeSEA
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10HEA00023IKnowledge & Evidence Informing Midwifery Practice
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20HEA00027IComplicated MaternitiesSEA
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10HEA00028IProfessional RelationshipsSEA
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20HEA00147IMidwifery Practice 3S
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10HEA00148IMidwifery Practice 4S
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Stage 3
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CreditsModuleAutumn TermSpring Term Summer Term
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CodeTitle123456789101234567891012345678910
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10HEA00020HEmpowered Midwifery PracticeSEA
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20HEA00139HEmergency Management in Midwifery PracticeSEA
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10HEA00140HSkilled Companionship in MidwiferySEA
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40HEA00018HMidwifery DissertationSEA
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10HEA00019HMidwifery Practice 5SEA
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30HEA00150HMidwifery Practice 6v2S