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Midwives are responsible for the care of women, babies and their families during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, labour, birth and the early infancy period. They provide direct clinical care and support for healthy women and babies and work collaboratively with doctors and other members of a health care team when there are risks or complications.
The Bachelor of Midwifery is specifically designed to develop graduates for entry to professional midwifery practice. The course prepares graduates with skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide high quality woman-centred care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council National Competency Standards for the Midwife.
Graduates are equipped to apply sound evidence-based reasoning skills to their midwifery practice; work in continuity-of-care models in partnership with women; and collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to promote effective outcomes. The degree aims to produce graduates with the capability, confidence and flexibility to adapt to changes and contribute to innovation in the midwifery profession and the health care system, focusing on women and their needs through a primary health approach.
Further information about this course can be found at the School of Health and Human Sciences’ midwifery page.
Registered midwives may practise midwifery in various capacities in public and private hospitals and community, maternity and neonatal health care settings in urban, rural and remote areas. They can practise as independent midwives, group practice midwives, clinical midwifery consultants, midwifery educators, midwifery unit managers, community midwives and researchers.
Graduates from the Bachelor of Midwifery can work in any state of Australia and in New Zealand. Employment as a midwife in other countries is possible, however further country-specific advice should be sought. There is currently a shortage of graduate midwives, particularly in regional and rural Australia.
The Bachelor of Midwifery is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. The aim of this degree is to produce graduates who possess the knowledge, competencies and clinical/community experience required to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia's registration requirements to practice as midwives in Australia.
Students will be required to undertake supervised placements that will enable them to focus on woman-centred care and provide continuity of care with women across their pregnancies; attend antenatal and postnatal assessments/visits with women; provide direct care to women during labour, assist women during birth; support women and their babies with diverse needs across pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postnatal period, and experience the full scope of midwifery practice.
The course includes studies in:
To qualify for the Bachelor of Midwifery a total of 288 credit points (usually 24 units) must be completed.
Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.
For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.
| Locations | ||
| Distance Education | Unavailable | |
| Lismore | Unavailable | |
| Coffs Harbour | Session 1 Session 2+ + Session 2 is not available to international students. |
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| Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga |
Session 1 Session 2+ + Session 2 is not available to international students. |
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| Course Duration | 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time 3.5 years minimum for students commencing Session 2 |
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| Fees and Charges | • Domestic fees • International fees • Additional fee information |
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| School | School of Health & Human Sciences | |
| Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries | scu.edu.au/enquiries | |
| Further Information | Domestic applicants: Ph: 1800 626 481 International applicants: Ph: +61 2 6620 3876; E: intoff@scu.edu.au |
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| Total Units: | Award Abbreviation: | 2013 ATAR equivalent/OP: |
| 24 (288 credit points) | BMid | 94/4 |
| UAC Course Code | QTAC Course Code | CRICOS Course Code |
| Coffs Harbour: 335153 Gold Coast: 335167 |
Coffs Harbour: 055451 Gold Coast: 055861 |
Coffs Harbour: N/A Gold Coast: 077275C |
The course is underpinned by an innovative, experiential learning curriculum which will be guided by focusing on woman-centred practice and features problem-based learning. The course features a variety of clinical and community experiences, which will expose students to the varied aspects of midwifery practice resulting in graduates able to function to the full scope of contemporary midwifery practice.
MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.
The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.
Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.
The SCU library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.
The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.
Midwifery, obstetric and health databases; computerised/simulated resources; journals; texts; online programs.
Students complete a wide variety of assessment items during the course including written exams, oral exams, academic writing, clinical and practical exams.
Southern Cross University provides students with modern well-equipped teaching spaces such as lecture theatres, classrooms, and studios or laboratories tailored to meet the needs of specific study disciplines. Contemporary audio-visual equipment is standard in most teaching venues, and students have access to computer labs for individual study purposes.
Midwifery students access electronic resources, medical technology and bioscience laboratories. The midwifery birth suite is designed to simulate childbirth environments from natural childbirth to high dependency births, using the latest technology, highly specialised equipment and anatomical simulation models.
Pre-Requisites
It is recommended that applicants have a background in Chemistry or Biology and have achieved a high level in English studies (band 4 HSC English or IELTS of 7.0). A sound understanding of Mathematics is also desirable.
Alternative Pathways to Study:
Southern Cross University offers a range of different pathways for those not coming straight from high school to university. These non school leaver applicants may gain admission based on their previous secondary, tertiary or TAFE studies or by one of the Alternative Pathways to Study found on our website: scu.edu.au/howtoapply
On-campus Undergraduate applications
To apply to study an undergraduate degree at a SCU campus, apply online through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC). For more information please visit either the UAC or QTAC websites: www.uac.edu.au or www.qtac.edu.au. A late fee applies for UAC and QTAC applications received after the 30th of September.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Office website.
Your previous study may help you cut time off your degree.
Recognition of Previous Study
Advanced standing may be granted to a student for tertiary studies successfully completed within the last three years at this university or at another university.
Recognition of Professional Experience
Advanced standing may be granted on the basis of current professional-level experience, skills or expertise that are deemed to be equivalent to Southern Cross University units available in this course.
We recommend that you apply for advanced standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.
For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.
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Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
4.1 Admission to CandidatureTo be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Midwifery a candidate shall successfully complete the prescribed number of units as follows:
Unless a candidate obtains express permission to extend their candidature from the regulatory body registering midwives, a candidate shall be required to complete the course in not more than six (6) years from the date of commencement which includes any period of leave of absence.
4.5 ExclusionIn addition to Rule 2 Section 10 – Exclusion, students enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery who are reported to the Regulatory Authority for Professional Misconduct will be excluded from the course.
* Denotes half-weighted unit.
** Denotes double-weighted unit.