Students from the University of Leicester have their sights on leadership roles in midwifery following the completion of a four-year undergraduate master’s degree in MSci Midwifery with Leadership.

Launched in 2018, the course is one of its kind in the UK, bringing midwifery and leadership together in its modules. The aim of the course is to provide better chances of progressing into senior midwifery roles.

The programme was established when the University of Leicester was approached by University Hospital Leicester NHS Trust and Leicestershire Partnership Trust and asked the university to support their future midwifery workforce, especially with enhanced leadership and skills.

Deputy Head of the University’s School of Healthcare, and co-architect of the courses, Jayne Marshall said: “The midwifery and nursing professions need leaders who have vision, are articulate and get their voice heard at the highest level – our programmes prepare the next generation of midwives and nurse to do just that.

“Students have come on the course as they have aspirations to become future leaders of the midwifery and nursing professions, and it’s great to see the first cohort nearing the end of their studies, and with many offers of employment already.”

Roles that the graduates could fill include clinical-based specialist roles such as Consultant Midwife, and Head or Director of Midwifery. Roles could also include Research Midwife or Higher Education lecturers.

“We anticipate their career trajectory into a future leadership role will be swifter, thanks not only to their enhanced leadership knowledge and skills, but also by virtue of graduating with a master’s degree. Usually the depth of leadership knowledge and skills are acquired post-qualification, which will make our course so unique and our graduates more attractive to employers,” Jayne Marshall added.

Course information for MSci in Midwifery and Leadership at the University of Leicester can be found here.