Jump to Content Jump to Side Navigation Bar

Manage Cookies

Allow University of Galway to use Cookies for:

Functionality: Your preferences: Analytics: Ads:

Some features need cookies to work properly. Cookies also let us (a) remember your preferences, (b) collect anonymous usage statistics, and (c) see how well our online ads are working.

No personal data is stored on these cookies but, under EU law, we still need to ask you this every 6 months. To learn more about our use of cookies, view our Privacy Policy.

University of Galway

Courses
Courses

Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.

View Courses
University Life
University Life

Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.

Read about life at University of Galway
About University of Galway
About University of Galway

Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.

About University of Galway
Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools

University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.

Colleges and Schools
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation

University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.

Overview
Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway

We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.

Overview
Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends

There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.

Overview
Community Engagement
Community Engagement

At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.

Real Learning

Gateway Pages

Prospective Students
Current Students
Visitors
Ollscoil na Gaillimhe

Quicklinks

Ollscoil na Gaillimhe
Library
Accessibility & Language
Students & Staff
Students
Staff

Home ▻ Courses▻Postgraduate Taught Courses▻College of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences▻ Nursing: Midwifery (HDip)

Higher Diploma in Midwifery

College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery

Course Code: 1HMW1

Expand all

Overview
Undergraduate Courses
Postgraduate Taught Courses
Professional, Part-time and Evening Courses
PhDs and Research Masters
Online Courses
Micro-credentials
How to Apply
Fees & Funding
Modes of Study
Open Days
Scholarships

Expand all

Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Course Overview

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery is for registered general nurses who wish to pursue a career in midwifery. The programme builds on students’ prior professional, academic and personal experiences. Following successful completion of the programme, students are competent to fulfil the role of the midwife as outlined by the International Confederation of Midwives and are eligible to apply to register as a midwife with Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

*Next intake will be September 2025–March 2027, and the one after that will be February 2027 – August 2028

Applications and Selections

See https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/job-search/nursing/midwifery/ for application details.

Prospective students are required to complete an online application form and those who meet the eligibility criteria are invited for interview. The course is advertised on the HSE website, in social media, newspapers, and information is provided on the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway website.

Find out more about the course by downloading this Midwifery Leaflet.

Who Teaches this Course

Caroline Keegan

Prof Declan Devane

PhD,PGDip,MSc,BSc,DipHE,RGN,RM,RNT

Professor of Health Research Methodology
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Aras Moyola
University of Galway
View Profile

Ms Miriam Brennan

RGN, RM, RNT, BNS, M.Sc (Nursing)

View Profile

Dr Linda Biesty

M.Sc. B.Sc. PgDip

Senior Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
University of Galway
View Profile

Dr Patricia Healy

PhD.

Lecturer Above The Bar
SCHOOL OF NURSING & MIDWIFERY
Room 235 1st Floor
Aras Moyola
Central Campus
View Profile

Dr Magdalena Ohaja

B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD

View Profile

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be registered on the General Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning for module exemptions is not available on this programme due to external professional accreditation requirements.

Duration

80 weeks, full-time

Next start date

September 2025

Average intake

Intake 17

Closing Date

To be confirmed

ECTS weighting

Course code

1HMW1

Course Outline

The Higher Diploma in Midwifery is of 80 weeks duration. The programme is provided by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University of Galway in partnership with the Saolta Group Maternity Services. The course consists of 54 weeks of clinical practice and 26 weeks of theoretical content. Clinical practice is located at the Maternity units in the Saolta Hospital group and consists of placements in Antenatal, Intranatal, Postnatal, Midwife-led Placements, Gynaecology, Theatre & Recovery and Neonatal Unit. Theoretical content consists of the following modules: Anatomy and Physiology Applied to Midwifery, Midwifery Care I & II, Woman with Complications in Childbirth I & II, Care of the Well Neonate, The Neonate Requiring Specialised Care, Research, Psychology and Sociology applied to Midwifery, Professional Issues and an Elective Placement for Midwifery.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

RequiredNU6564: Midwifery Practice 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredNU6556: Research for Midwifery - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredNU6554: Normal Midwifery Care 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredNU6553: Anatomy and Physiology Applied to Midwifery - 5 Credits - Semester 1
RequiredNU6555: Care of the Well Neonate - 5 Credits - Semester 1
OptionalNU6566: Competency Assessment 1 - 0 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6567: Competency Assessment 2 - 0 Credits - Semester 2
OptionalNU6567: Competency Assessment 2 - 0 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6566: Competency Assessment 1 - 0 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6558: Woman with Complications in Childbirth 1 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6559: Professional Issues - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6565: Midwifery Practice 2 - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6560: Psychology for Midwifery - 5 Credits - Semester 2
RequiredNU6557: Normal Midwifery Care 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Year 2 (30 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

There are career opportunities for midwives to work in various practice settings including hospitals, midwife-led care units, clinics or in the community, across different models of care. There are also opportunities to specialise in areas within clinical practice, or to focus more on education or research related to midwifery. For midwives who wish to work in another EU state, they must undertake a year of clinical midwifery practice in Ireland before they can register with any other EU Member State and practice in that country.

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€

This programme is sponsored by the HSE.

Find out More

Dr Patricia Healy
T +353 91 495 421
E patricia.healy@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing-midwifery/

How to Apply
Share This
Print Page

Sign up to receive updates

Opt in

Our Chatbot only works if 'Functionality' cookies are enabled. Manage Cookies

Downloads

Postgraduate Prospectus 2025 PDF (3.3MB)

About University of Galway

Founded in 1845, we've been inspiring students for 180 years. University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching.