Study Access to Higher Education Midwifery

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery)

This Course at a Glance

• 100% online learning
• Go to university without A-Levels
• Gain crucial midwifery knowledge
• Qualification is equivalent to 3 A-Levels
• Midwifery course assessed through end-of-unit assignments

About Your Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery)

A Midwife plays an instrumental role in a mother’s pregnancy and birthing process. Not only do they provide antenatal care, but they also give expert advice to help an expectant mother make the right decisions for themselves and their baby. For individuals who are natural caregivers, a midwifery career could be the perfect fit.

Prepare for a Midwifery Degree

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) will provide you with the knowledge required to apply for a university place. Targeted at individuals who don’t currently have the qualifications to study a degree, an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) is the best way to progress to this level of study.

Learn the Role of a Midwife

While studying our midwifery course online, you will learn essential knowledge that will prepare you to study midwifery at university. If you eventually become a Midwife, you will be the first point of contact during the pregnancy, so it is important that you understand:

• Prenatal care
• Intrapartum care
• Postnatal care

Becoming a Midwife also involves having to develop knowledge of the healthcare system, which will be covered in your midwifery course online.

Getting Started

As soon as you enrol on the midwifery course, you will have access to the course materials you need to begin your learning journey.

Study Midwifery Around Your Schedule

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) is 100% online, giving you the freedom to study at your own pace and from your own home. Due to this level of flexibility, you can achieve this qualification regardless of your circumstances.

For example, if you have a young family or work full-time, you can study midwifery whenever you have free time, whether that is in the evening or first thing in the morning.

We Help You Stay On Track

As part of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery), you will be given an Individual Learning Plan that details the submission deadlines for your assignments. This will help you keep on track.

You have two years to complete our midwifery course online, but on average, learndirect students take 9 months. The qualification is equivalent to 3 A Levels, so, if you don’t have A Levels, undertaking an Access to Higher Education Diploma is a great alternative.

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Be able to structure a written response
• Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
• Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
• Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand a range of reading strategies
• Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
• Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources

Module 3: Healthcare Communication

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the main methods of communication
• Understand the barriers to communication
• Understand the value of developing good communication skills within the context of the health service
• Understand the importance of confidentiality and record keeping

Module 4: The Structure and Function of Cells

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand cellular structure and organisation
• Understand cellular activity
• Understand the cell cycle

Module 5: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare Settings

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Know the key concepts related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
• Understand key legislation and regulations related to EDI in healthcare
• Understand how EDI issues are managed in healthcare settings

Module 6: Human Reproduction Growth and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the human reproductive system
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system throughout life
• Understand the sequence of events from conception to childbirth

Module 7: Professionalism and Multidisciplinary Teams

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the impact of changes to the roles and responsibilities of a chosen health care professional
• Understand regulation as a chosen health care professional
• Understand the multidisciplinary team working in a chosen health care

Module 8: Nutrition and Digestion

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the concept of a balanced diet
• Understand the structure and function of the human digestive system

Module 9: Perspectives in Psychology

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand different psychological perspectives
• Understand the differences between alternative psychological perspectives
• Understand the application of psychological perspectives to contemporary issues in psychology

Module 10: Human Musculoskeletal System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the human skeleton and how it relates to locomotion
• Know how muscles contract
• Understand the development of bone

Module 11: Foetal Development, Monitoring and Intervention

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the development of a healthy embryo and foetus
• Understand antenatal foetal monitoring methods before labour
• Understand the monitoring of the foetus during labour
• Understand the detection and possible interventions of specific foetal disorders and disabilities
• Understand the process of miscarriage and termination

Module 12: Endocrine System

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand terms hormone and endocrine gland
• Understand homeostasis and feedback mechanisms
• Understand the action of hormones

Module 13: Pregnancy and Health

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system and different stages of life
• Understand development, diagnosis, monitoring and potential risks of pre-eclampsia
• Understand the dangers of substance misuse in pregnancy

Module 14: Hormone Regulation of Human Reproduction and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand how hormones regulate reproduction
• Understand the sequence of events from conception to childbirth
• Understand how hormones regulate the reproductive system and different stages of life

Module 15: Early Attachment and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the importance of early relationships in child development
• Understand explanations of the development of individual differences

Module 16: Infection and Immunity

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the contributions of Snow, Semmelweiss, Pasteur, Jenner and Koch to the understanding of infectious disease
• Understand how the human body responds to infection
• Understand the cause and transmission of different pathogens
• Understand how infections can be prevented by vaccination
• Understand the mechanism of action of antibiotics

Module 17: The Cause and Control of Disease

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand categories and causes of human disease
• Understand the epidemiology of a named disease
• Understand measures for disease prevention

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic report, essay, case study analysis, illustrated mind map, illustrated report, worksheet, journal article, portfolio, academic poster, presentation (video and audio recording), revision guide, series of questions, academic writing skills tasks.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 3 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

The assessment process of our midwifery course consists of the following:

Assignments

At the end of each module during the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery), you will be tasked with an assignment. Each assignment contains various academic tasks, and once completed and submitted, you will receive feedback from your tutor. This will allow you to develop and progress on to the next stage of your study.

In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.

Credits

Each assignment represents a certain number of credits, and overall, you will need 60 credits in total to successfully achieve an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery). The credits are split into two categories:

• Graded – 45 credits come from graded units, which focus on the academic subject
• Ungraded – 15 credits come from ungraded units, such as writing and study skills

As part of the midwifery course, you will get help and advice in how to complete a university application and the various research that’s required to achieve the qualification.

Given that the course is 100% online, you will have 24/7 access to your course materials, which will help you complete your assignments. As mentioned, you have two years to complete the Access to Higher Education Diploma, but you will have deadlines to complete your assignments.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery), (QAA aim code: 40014186), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Career

The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) is equivalent to 3 A Levels. Most universities accept this qualification in applications, so you could potentially study a degree at the university of your choice, should you meet the entry requirements.

If you have ambitions to become a Midwife, then the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) could provide a stepping stone towards achieving your career goal. Prior to starting your midwifery programme, you may want to gain foundation knowledge in a similar field, such as health science. If you go on to gain a midwifery degree, you will be qualified to work as a Midwife.

Further Qualifications and Prospects

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) regulates Nurses and Midwives across the UK, and for those on the NMC register, Midwives will need to undertake 35 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year.

The purpose of CPD is to ensure that Midwives are up to date on healthcare practices and ethics so that they continue to perform competently. Outside of mandatory CPD, a Midwife can enhance their knowledge and skillset by taking various courses, including the following:

• Mental Health and Social Care 
• Grief and Bereavement Counselling
• Drug, Solvent and Alcohol Misuse Counselling 
• Clinical Nutrition
• Eating Disorders

During your midwifery career, if you decide that a less medical role would be better suited to you, having a midwifery degree can help you land a role as a doula or birthing partner. You may also be open to considering a position as a health visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out how this course has helped real-life learners – people just like you - to reach their goals and achieve success! 

Charlotte
A full-time mum and part-time carer for her grandmother, juggled learning alongside her family commitments to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife.

“I made myself a routine to maintain a social/family/midwifery student study balance. I had the drive to want to become a midwife and nothing was going to stop me in my path! A student midwife is what I will be next year.”

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