BSc (Hons) Midwifery Apprenticeship (Level 6)
| Level | 6 |
| Degree | BSc (Hons) Midwifery (Apprenticeship) |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Entry point(s) | Autumn |
| Campus | Uxbridge and Aylesbury |
| Contact | apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk |
This curriculum has been co-produced with stakeholders who have experience relevant to the programme, such as employer partners, service users and the University. It embraces a learner-centred curriculum supporting the acquisition of knowledge, development of skills and demonstration of professional values and behaviours required to provide compassionate, safe, and sensitive midwifery care. You will cover the continuum of care, optimising physiological processes, supporting safe physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual situations, working to promote positive outcomes and to anticipate and prevent complications.
The philosophy of the Buckinghamshire New University's BSc (Hons) Midwifery Integrated Degree Apprenticeship is predicated on a community of practice, with learners placed at the heart. The apprenticeship programme is designed in line with Education and Inspection Framework (EIF) (see framework below) topics such as British Values, Safeguarding and Prevent, ensuring that learners are aware of these themes as well as university processes that provide support and keep our learners safe. The programme is also designed to embed the development of Maths and English throughout your programme essential for effective communication and logical planning and calculation of your performance as a professional Midwife.
Programme delivery
Buckinghamshire New University’s blended learning model is designed to be flexible around the needs of apprentices and workload. This includes online, face-to-face and self-directed learning which learners have fed back providers greatest flexibility around work, caregiving and other life commitments. This also helps reduce the impact of carbon created through commuting.
This is a full-time undergraduate programme that utilises a variety of blended learning and teaching methods in the University including: seminar-based teaching; lectures; authentic scenarios and case studies; presentations; on-line learning resources; peer learning; reflection; role modelling and simulation. Learners are required to engage in independent study, guided through their modules, which will include further wider reading to support the learning in university and practice.
The apprenticeship programme will consist of at least three years of study, completing a minimum of 4600 hours as stipulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council. You will spend a minimum of half of your learning (2300 hours) in clinical practice working within your trust, with an opportunity to work within other local trusts to gain experience of varying leadership styles. Through your clinical experience you are exposed to a diverse demographic of maternity service users. The other half comprises of academic study designed to employ a wide range of teaching and learning strategies which are underpinned by a contemporary research base.
Simulation is recognised within the school as essential in disseminating the required knowledge, skills and behaviours for midwife learners. It will incorporate the use of high and low fidelity simulation for an immersive training environment. Within this learning environment, real-time evolving clinical situations can be simulated, repeated and evaluated using reflection and debriefing.
Why choose BNU?
At Buckinghamshire New University, we are dedicated to equipping our graduates with the skills employers demand. We will work with you using our practice-based learning expertise to support your training needs.
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a partnership between industry and higher education institutions set up to help meet the needs of employers. They also provide a flexible way for employees to take advantage of the life-changing opportunities that higher education can offer them.
At BNU, we change lives through employment-focused teaching which enables our students to achieve their ambitions. As a small and personal university, we offer an agile approach to all apprenticeship training needs. You would also gain access to all our support services including Student Hub, Multi Faith Chaplaincy, Disability and Inclusion, Counselling, Library and Alumni Benefits. Our Apprenticeship Hub at BNU strives to deliver a supportive environment for the employer and the apprentice. Tripartite reviews are conduced quarterly to aid apprentice through their apprenticeship journey successfully.
Programme aims
The aim of the programme is to produce confident, autonomous, reflective Registered Midwives at academic level 6 who can take accountability for your own actions, lead and co-ordinate care whilst utilising a contemporary evidence base to provide compassionate person-centred care. On successful completion of the programme, you will be able to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to practice as a Registered Midwife.
Degree apprenticeships combine study and work-based learning to enable apprentices to gain a full degree. They have been co-designed by employers thus ensuring that apprentices are equipped with the skills employers need and look for in their employees.
An apprentice is a paid employee and does not pay any training costs or student fees.
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration for any apprenticeship, the apprentice must satisfy the following requirements under the UK government and ESFA funding rules:
- Must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week (please note under programme requirements, contracted hours must equate to 37.5 hours per week)
- Must have the right to live and work in the UK.
- All international applicants must have permission (visa) to stay and work in England for the duration of the apprenticeship programme they are applying for.
- Must have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 years on the day of starting their programme.
- Must be employed in a role related to the subject matter of their training.
- If you are aged 18 at the start of your programme you must evidence level 2 Maths and English through GCSE grade C/4 or above, or equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills, Key Skills, or Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy.
Programme Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications:
- Evidence of study within the previous five years.
- Successful interview.
- A minimum of 112 – 136 UCAS points (minimum of two A levels grade C and above).
The following level 3 qualifications can also be accepted if A- levels are not held:
- Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care.
- Access courses, (e.g., Midwifery, Nursing) with 30 level 3 credits at distinction, 12 at merit and 3 at pass.
- T Level, (e.g., Health, Midwifery, Nursing or science) minimum of a merit grade overall.
- A level 3 advanced apprenticeship qualification in a health Profession.
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social care.
- NVQ level 3 in Health and Social care, Science.
- Level 3 Maternity Support Worker qualification.
Maths & English Requirements:
- For learners aged 19 and above: The requirement for Level 2 Maths and English is under review, pending confirmation from NMC and the programme academic team.
- For learners aged 18: Evidence of Level 2 Maths & English is required through GCSE grade C/4 or above, or equivalent qualifications such as Functional Skills, Key Skills, or Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy. If this cannot be evidenced before the programme starts, it must be achieved within the first year.
Initial Assessment:
- All candidates will undergo an initial assessment through BKSB and a proficiency evaluation in literacy and numeracy during the application process.
Additional Requirements:
- A current enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Occupational Health (OH) clearance, including exposure-prone procedures (EPP).
- A record of any previous fitness to practise concerns.
Application process
- Your employer will need to contact BNU’s Apprenticeship Hub via email: apprenticeships@bnu.ac.uk or call: 01296 744202
- Your employer will be sent a link to share with interested applicants for our online information sessions lead by a representative of BNU’s Apprenticeship Hub and the programme lead.
- Your employer will then be sent a capture form to complete which will need to be returned to the Apprenticeship Hub.
- Candidates will be sent a direct link to an online application which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete.
- Candidates will be required to upload supporting documents such as prior certification and evidence of Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
- After submitting the application, the Apprenticeship Hub will complete all necessary eligibility checks.
- Successful candidates will be invited to an interview with a member of the academic team and will be asked to fill in an Individual Needs Assessment (INA) document identifying their existing experiences, skills and knowledge which will be discussed in the interview.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
In many instances apprenticeships are fully funded through the government’s Apprenticeship Levy Fund and for those ineligible up to 95% is funded through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
Midwife Degree Apprenticeship Cost: £26,000
- The apprenticeship levy will be paid by employers in any sector with a pay bill of more than £3 million per year. Those employers will be able to use their apprenticeship levy funds to fund this programme.
- Non-levy paying employers will receive up to 95% funding towards the costs of this apprenticeship through the government’s Co-Investment Fund.
- For more information on funding and the Apprenticeship Levy visit our Apprenticeship Funding page in the find out more section below.
