Course overviewExplore the fundamentals of midwifery and develop your understanding of the whole maternity journey for mothers and infants. Gain clinical skills to support childbearing women, newborn infants and families through pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, birth, postpartum and the early weeks of life. You will study the importance of communication in care provision and in building professional relationships.Your training will ensure you can anticipate, prevent, and respond with confidence to the additional needs and complications that can arise during pregnancy. Your practice will be underpinned by evidence to ensure that you are delivering high-quality and safe care to women and infants at every stage of their journey.As a midwife you will respect women's individual circumstances and advocate their wishes where appropriate. You will support mothers to confidently use their voice throughout their pregnancy, delivery and beyond, but also enable them to provide nurturing care to their infant.Multidisciplinary learningYour studies will combine theory and clinical practice and you will be taught by highly qualified, registered midwives. We have a multidisciplinary approach to teaching so you will work alongside students from medicine, physiotherapy, nursing, pharmacy, and social work enabling you to benefit from inter-professional education required within the clinical setting.You will improve your midwifery techniques, so you are ready for practical placements using simulation with mannequins and patient simulators in our Clinical Skills Lab.Foundation YearOur Foundation Year provides an excellent alternative route to Keele, providing a unique opportunity to better prepare for your chosen degree, and with guaranteed entry onto your undergraduate course once you successfully complete your Foundation Year.This extra year of study can improve your academic skills, expand your subject knowledge, give you a better understanding of higher education and, perhaps most importantly of all, build your confidence.Placements50% of your time will be spent on placements and we have excellent relationships with our placement partners. Improving your practical abilities in a healthcare environment will increase your knowledge so you can have a successful future as a midwife.ou will have the opportunity to experience a range of settings within a 60 mile radius of Keele. There will be guidance on your placement from midwives who are practice assessors and practice supervisors.There is also a community placement which will be within a 50 mile radius of the hospital base and there are placement opportunities at the the Women’s Centre at Stafford Hospital.Your hospital placements will be at the Royal Stoke Hospital which includes a level 3 neonatal unit and a birth centre, Birmingham Women's Hospital or Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital. Plus, there are antenatal and postnatal wards, delivery suite, early pregnancy unit, antenatal clinics, maternity assessment unit and transitional care for babies who may need a little more nursing support. We offer a vibrant and supportive environment for students that facilitates your development as a competent and assured midwife. Your academic mentor will provide guidance with any issues you may have and give support with some of your assessments during the three year course.Your future careerMidwives are in high demand and currently 100% of Keele midwifery graduates hold offers of employment on completion of the course. We have several Trusts actively seeking to come in to talk to our students in anticipation of job applications and offers. Providing care to women and infants during your placements will enable you to develop the knowledge and aptitude required for a career within modern midwifery.