Background

This inspirational career offers experienced midwives an excellent opportunity to combine their academic knowledge, clinical expertise, and leadership skills to positively impact the lives of women and babies through the education of future midwives.

Midwifery lecturers typically work in universities and engage in a wide range of teaching activities, including lectures, seminars, tutorials, and sessions in simulation and skills laboratories. They are also responsible for student assessment and curriculum development.

What does a midwifery lecturer do?

The main aspects of the Lecturer role are highlighted below:

1. Teaching and learning

• • Research and evidence-based teaching on pre-registration and postgraduate courses using a range of resources and innovative approaches to create interest, understanding and enthusiasm

• • Giving students a first-class learning experience with high quality academic and clinical guidance as well as advice around academic or personal issues, so that they will be more likely to be successful in their careers

• • Curriculum design and development and reviewing course content

2. Leadership and management

• • Leading, supervising and mentoring/coaching other members of midwifery education team

• • Taking part in management and administrative processes and/or committees

• • Introducing new systems to improve the experience of students

• • Leading in your area of expertise

• • Undertaking personal and professional development and supporting less experienced members of the team in doing so

3. Research and scholarship

• • Contributing to developments in midwifery education practice and playing a part in practice communities, for example by presenting at conferences

• • Contributing to bids and tenders for external projects

• • Participating in research, contributing to internationally recognised research publications

4. Clinical Practice

• • Maintaining and developing own clinical skills

• • Working with placement providers and other agencies

• • Checking that the student’s placement learning experience is of the quality expected

Liaison and networking:

Lecturers maintain close links with practice education teams in local NHS Trusts and Health Boards, ensuring close partnerships.

They will also participate in and develop external networks, for example, to contribute to student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.

How do I become a midwifery lecturer?

Midwives wishing to pursue a career in education are normally required to be registered with the NMC as midwives, having qualified with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) now expect candidates to hold postgraduate qualifications at master’s and/or doctoral (PhD) level, or to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and experience in midwifery or a related field.

In most HEIs, midwives who do not already hold a doctoral qualification are expected to show a clear commitment to pursuing one after appointment. However, the requirement for a master’s or PhD varies depending on the level or grade of the lecturing post.

Typically, midwives are expected to have a minimum of 2–3 years of full-time clinical experience across the midwifery scope of practice. They must also demonstrate ongoing commitment to personal and professional development through relevant undergraduate and postgraduate education.

Additionally, midwives are usually required to hold a teaching qualification equivalent to the university’s teaching recognition or the NMC Teacher qualification. If not already held, there is often an expectation to undertake a relevant teaching qualification as soon as possible after joining the institution.

Lecturers in midwifery must have academic knowledge and expertise in midwifery and women’s health, along with experience in teaching adults, research or scholarship, and academic administration to effectively contribute within a higher education setting.

Are there Networks to support this role?

• RCM Education and Research Forum
• RCM Educators’ Network
• RCM Workplace Representatives and Learning Reps Network
• RCM i-Learn Platform
• Local and Regional RCM Branches
• RCM Student Midwives Forum

What are the realities of working as a midwifery lecturer?

Working in higher education offers several advantages, such as flexibility in working patterns, job security, a clear career progression path, and a reasonable salary, including generous pension schemes. However, the role can be both challenging and complex, with various internal and external factors shaping the experience.

Common challenges include workload intensity, particularly during time-critical marking and assessment periods, and the need to balance teaching, administration, and research responsibilities. Nevertheless, for those who enjoy teaching and mentorship, and are considering a move away from the clinical environment while still contributing meaningfully to the midwifery profession, this role can offer deep professional fulfilment.

Country Information

Scotland  

Scottish Government (2014) Setting the Direction Strategic Review: Strategic Aim 4 – Setting The Direction For Nursing & Midwifery Education in Scotland – gov.scot – outlines national priorities acaross practice learning quality, clinical-academic collaboration and educational infrastructure

Northern Ireland  

NIPEC Quality Excellence Framework: Quality Excellence Framework | NIPEC

England and Wales

 NMC Standards framework for nursing and midwifery education (2023)

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree Awarding Bodies (2024) The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies

Where could this lead to?

Assistant Lecturers often join HEIs on a development programme with the aim of completing the programme (usually around 3-5 years) and being promoted to Lecturer/Associate Professor, then onto Senior Lecturer roles. HEIs will each have their own pathway for academic staff to follow; however examples may include:

• Research and Education
• Education
• Enterprise, Engagement and Impact
• Research for Research Fellows and Senior Research Fellows.

Any top tips?

1. Gain experience in student support and teaching
2. Familiarise yourself with NMC Education Standards
3. Develop presentation and communication skills
4. Consider postgraduate qualifications
5. Start building a teaching portfolio
6. Stay clinically current
7. Network with academic midwives
8. Understand the reality of the role
9. Tailor your CV and application
10. Be open to learning

Resources

Student Support & Teaching Experience

• RCM Practice Supervisor and Assessor Guidance
  https://www.rcm.org.uk
• NMC Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA)
  https://www.nmc.org.uk

NMC Education Standards

• NMC Standards for Pre-Registration Midwifery Programmes (2020)
  https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/standards-for-midwives

NHS Leadership Academy: Communication Tools
https://www.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk

Advance HE (formerly HEA) Teaching Recognition
https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/recognition

Teaching Portfolio Guidance

• Advance HE: Fellowship Guidance Pack
  https://www.advance-he.ac.uk
• University of Edinburgh – Academic Portfolio Examples
  https://www.ed.ac.uk
• RCM Bank Work Resources
  https://www.rcm.org.uk/advice-guides
• NMC Revalidation Guidance
  https://www.nmc.org.uk/revalidation

Royal College of Midwives (RCM) Events & Webinars
https://www.rcm.org.uk/events

• ‘X’ Midwifery Academic Community
  • Follow hashtags like #MidEd, #MidwiferyEducation, #WeMidwives
  • Connect with lecturers at local universities.

• LinkedIn Groups:
  • Midwifery Educators UK, Higher Education Midwifery Network

• Times Higher Education (THE): Life in Academia
  https://www.timeshighereducation.com

• HEA & UCU Guidance on Academic Workload Models
  https://www.ucu.org.uk

Teaching & Learning Foundations

• Books:
  • ‘The Lecturer’s Toolkit’ by Phil Race
  • ‘Teaching in Higher Education’ by Paul Ramsden