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The Bachelor of Midwifery prepares you for entry to professional midwifery practice. You will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality, woman-centred care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council standards for practice.
Study areas include anatomy and physiology, midwifery theory and practice, primary healthcare, perinatal mental health, care during preconception, pregnancy, labour and birth, and early parenting.
Graduates will be equipped to work in multi-disciplinary teams and in partnership with women to contribute to healthier outcomes for mother and baby.
Graduates of this degree will be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice as a Registered Midwife across a range of settings.
Key information to be aware of prior to enrolling:
The Bachelor of Midwifery prepares you for entry to professional midwifery practice. You will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality, woman-centred care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council standards for practice.
Study areas include anatomy and physiology, midwifery theory and practice, primary healthcare, perinatal mental health, care during preconception, pregnancy, labour and birth, and early parenting.
Graduates will be equipped to work in multi-disciplinary teams and in partnership with women to contribute to healthier outcomes for mother and baby.
Graduates of this degree will be eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice as a Registered Midwife across a range of settings.
Key information to be aware of prior to enrolling:
Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.
See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.
If admission is being offered on the basis of completion of the Preparing for Success or Transition to Uni programs, students need to achieve a Credit average or above.
To meet the University’s minimum English Language Proficiency requirement an applicant must:
1. provide a written declaration that English is their primary language1;
or
2. have achieved:
1Refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia requirements regarding English as Primary Language.
In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA]’s standards for English language must be met. See AHPRA’s English Language Skills page for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for this course. For more information please view the Bachelor of Midwifery RPL Guide.
| Country | Score |
|---|---|
| Austria AMC | 2 |
| Bangladesh HSC | >4.8 |
| Brazil SSLC | >9.7 |
| Canada High School OSSD | 80 |
| Chile PSU | 6.8, overall 750-800 |
| China Gao Kao | 520 |
| Colombia CB (NAT) | 97+, overall 350-400 |
| Denmark USSLE | 8.8 |
| France FB | 13.5 |
| German Abitur | 2 |
| Hong Kong HKDSE | 20 |
| India CBSE (best 4) | 16.5 external exam |
| India CISCE | 92 |
| India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4) | 100 in academic |
| Indonesia SMA | 9.7> |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 |
| Japan USSLC | 4.8> |
| Korea, Republic of, CSAT | 334 |
| Malaysia ICSSUEC | 78> |
| Malaysia STPM | 16 (best 3 A levels) |
| Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate | 100 |
| Nepal Proficiency Certificate | 97> |
| Norway GPA | 4.4 |
| Pakistan HSSC Humanities and Science streams | 96> |
| Pakistan HSSC Pre-Eng and Pre-Med streams | 73 |
| Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5) | 3.5 pass Eng & Math |
| Peru OCSE | 19.4> |
| Phillipines NSAT | 99> |
| Russia FCCSE | 4.9> |
| Saudi Arabia MESSLC | 97> |
| Singapore SCGCE | 21.5 |
| Spain SSSD | 9.7> |
| Spain STBPU | 9 |
| Sri Lanka GCE | 9.5 |
| Sweden SSLC | 16.3 |
| Taiwan GSAT | 75> |
| Taiwan Senior High School Certificate | 98> |
| Thailand CSE | 3.3 |
| Turkey HSD | 4.8> |
| UK Board GCE A Levels | 19 |
| USA SAT & ACT | SAT 1780, ACT 30 |
| Vietnam (in 4 subjects) | 9.7 academic |
English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.0 |
| Overall Score or equivalent | 7.0 |
| Reading | 7.0 |
| Writing | 7.0 |
| Listening | 7.0 |
| Speaking | 7.0 |
The Bachelor of Midwifery is specifically designed to develop graduates for entry to professional midwifery practice. The course prepares graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality woman-centred care through safe and effective midwifery practice in accordance with AHPRA Midwifery Standards for Practice.
Study areas include:
Pathway for Registered Nurses: To be considered for the RN pathway, applicants need to provide evidence of their completed Bachelor of Nursing degree. For further information, visit the Faculty of Health midwifery page.
Domestic students
| Location | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 |
| Gold Coast | Term 1 |
International students
| Location | Teaching period | Annual Fees | CRICOS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffs Harbour | Term 1 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | 078636G |
| Gold Coast | Term 1 | $30,832 ($3,854 per unit) | 078636G |
Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions. | |||
Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Midwifery, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
Professional Experience Learning
This course includes professional experience learning. Pre-requisites to meet national and state-based regulatory requirements, as detailed on Faculty of Health Professional Experience page must be met prior to attending professional experience placement. All professional experience learning hours must be completed and professional behaviour and conduct must be demonstrated.
Progression
Any student wishing to take a break of one or more study periods must consult with the Course Coordinator.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of any two (2) units with professional experience learning.
Students are not permitted to have an extended period of more than 12 months between study of a theory unit that relates specifically to a particular unit with professional experience learning.
Students who have an interrupted study sequence of more than 12 months will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be required to undertake a specified supported professional experience placement to ensure professional experience currency prior to continuation of the course.
Duration
The maximum duration for completion of the award of Bachelor of Midwifery is six (6) years in total which includes any period for a leave of absence.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Student Equity & Inclusion website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Student Equity & Inclusion website for further information and contact details.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HLTH1004 | The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar | ||||
| MIDW1003 | Foundations of Midwifery | ||||
| HBIO1009 | Introductory Anatomy and Physiology | ||||
| INDG2001 | Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples | ||||
| MIDW1006 | Midwifery Professional Experience 1 | ||||
| MIDW1004 | Preconception to Early Parenthood | ||||
| MIDW1005 | Well Woman - Pregnancy, Labour and Birth, Postnatal | ||||
| MIDW2010 | Midwifery Professional Experience 2a | ||||
| STAT2001 | Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners | ||||
| PHAR2001 | Introductory Pharmacology | ||||
| MIDW2011 | Caring for the Woman During Complex Pregnancy | ||||
| MIDW2015 | Midwifery Professional Experience 2b | ||||
| MIDW2012 | Caring for the Woman During Complex Labour and Birth | ||||
| MIDW2013 | Caring for the Woman with Postnatal Complexities | ||||
| MIDW2014 | Perinatal Mental Health | ||||
| MIDW2009 | Care of the Unwell Baby | ||||
| MIDW3007 | Midwifery Professional Experience 3a | Note 1 | |||
| MIDW3006 | Midwifery Practice: Mentorship A | ||||
| HLTH3004 | Transition to Practice | ||||
| HLTH3005 | Interprofessional Health Practice | ||||
| MIDW3010 | Midwifery Practice: Mentorship B | ||||
| MIDW3008 | Midwifery Professional Experience 3b | ||||
| MIDW3009 | Maternal and Women’s Health | ||||
| HLTH5009 | Practice-Based Health Research | ||||
| Note 1: | Double-weighted Unit |
Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.
Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018
Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.
Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020
5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies
Good Universities Guide 2021
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.
| Course Learning Outcome |
|---|
Demonstrate woman centred care acknowledging the physiological, psychological, spiritual and cultural needs of women and their families during the child birthing journey |
Provide safe, evidence-based and ethical woman-centred continuity of care supporting and advocating women's decision-making in their care within the socio-political context. Apply knowledge, skills and creativity for problem solving, clinical reasoning, and self reflection for professional practice as a midwife. |
Meet and adhere to relevant national professional, ethical and legal standards to ensure safe, competent and ethical midwifery care using the relevant NMBA frameworks. |
Critically review the theory and practice of contemporary midwifery care within dynamic professional, culturally diverse, national and global in a primary healthcare contexts. |
Develop academic, digital technology and research skills for contribution to scholarship for ongoing professional inquiry and evidence-based midwifery practice/leadership. |
Consult, collaborate and communicate respectfully with the woman as an active participant in her care and other members of the healthcare team to provide quality outcomes for women and their babies |
Integrate an understanding and respect for the diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People into culturally appropriate care for women, their babies, families and their communities. |
The Bachelor of Midwifery offers a self-access approach to learning through a university learning site. Learning is facilitated through workshops, tutorials and clinical labs with the use of innovative media and technologies. Some units are offered in an intensive mode to ensure students are available for Midwifery Professional Experience and Continuity of Care Experience.
The course is underpinned by an innovative, experiential learning curriculum focusing on woman-centred care in practice. The course features a variety of clinical and community experiences, exposing students to the varied aspects of midwifery practice resulting in graduates being able to function to the full scope of contemporary midwifery practice.
Midwives are responsible for the care of women and babies during the child-birthing journey and early parenting. Graduates of the Bachelor of Midwifery course are highly sought after by industry partners and are successfully employed in all areas of midwifery.
Registered midwives are employed in various settings such as midwifery group practice, in public and private hospitals and community, maternity, and neonatal health care settings in urban, rural and remote areas. There are numerous opportunities for career progression such as clinical midwifery consultants, midwifery educators, midwifery unit managers, community midwives, researchers, and as independent midwives (with further training).
Upon completion of this course, graduates are eligible for graduate year placement opportunities in any Australian state and in New Zealand.
To meet the practice requirements of a registered midwife, you undertake approximately 1,000 hours of supervised midwifery professional experience. You will attend antenatal and postnatal assessments/visits with women; provide direct care to women during labour; assist women during birth and support women and their babies with diverse needs across pregnancy, labour and birth, and the postnatal period.
Please be aware labour and birth can be unpredictable and occur at any time of the day or night, therefore the continuity-of-care component in the program requires you to be ‘on call’. The professional experience rostered placement may occur ‘away’ from your campus and place of residence. Students are responsible for any cost incurred for travel and accommodation.
Midwifery Professional Experiences requires students to fulfil certain pre-requisites prior to attending any placements (e.g. a working with children check and National Police Certificate). Prior to applying for this course, please consider the essential information regarding these requirements.
The Bachelor of Midwifery is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and provides the necessary academic qualification for eligibility as a Registered Midwife in Australia.
As a midwifery student, it is important to be aware of the registration standards required by the NMBA. See the details on the NMBA website.
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Midwifery will be registered by Southern Cross University with NMBA as an enrolled student and will remain registered for the duration of study. Please see the AHPRA website for more details.
Graduating students will have the necessary qualification to be eligible to register and practise as a midwife in Australia. Further training may be required to practice in other countries or to work as a privately practising midwife.
Please note: In order to register to practice, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency [AHPRA] standards for English language must be met. See the website for further information.
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Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
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