Midwifery

A BSc (Hons) in Midwifery prepares you to support women, birthing people, and their families throughout pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postnatal period. You study anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, neonatal care, and the social and psychological dimensions of childbearing. A significant proportion of your time is spent on clinical placement in HSE maternity hospitals and community settings, where you gain hands-on experience under the supervision of registered midwives. Across the four years you develop skills in foetal monitoring, newborn assessment, antenatal education, and high-dependency obstetric care. Erasmus exchange opportunities to European partner hospitals are available in some programmes. A typical week combines lectures, simulation lab sessions, and multi-day clinical placements on busy labour wards and community clinics.

Entry is through the CAO and is highly competitive, typically requiring six subjects in the Leaving Certificate including English and a laboratory science subject such as Biology or Chemistry. Higher-level Mathematics or a science subject at Higher level is strongly advantageous, and most programmes specify minimum grades in English and Biology. QQI FET applicants holding a relevant Level 5 award in Nursing, Healthcare, or Science may access reserved places through the QQI links mechanism at each institution. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply directly and are assessed on the basis of relevant healthcare experience and interview. HEAR and DARE supplementary admissions schemes are available for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities.

Ireland's maternity services face sustained demand driven by ongoing recruitment pressures and national strategies such as the National Maternity Strategy 2016–2026, meaning graduate employment rates are consistently very high. Starting salaries as a staff midwife on the HSE pay scale are typically in the region of €35,000–€42,000 gross per annum, rising considerably with experience and specialisation. The introduction of community midwifery models and the expansion of midwife-led units create new career pathways beyond traditional hospital settings. International mobility is strong, with Irish-registered midwives in demand in the UK, Australia, Canada, and the Middle East.