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The Midwifery with Leadership MSci programme at the University of Leicester aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to meet women’s changing and often complex, healthcare needs and choices. Our unique programme has been designed with a focus on preparing graduates for a career as a midwifery leader.

Leadership

The NHS needs leaders at every level; to not only ensure the care that is delivered to women, their babies and families is safe and of high quality but to also facilitate creativity and innovation in the work place. We are currently the only university in the UK to offer a midwifery programme that has a leadership focus from day one. We believe that developing our students’ leadership knowledge and experience will enhance their skill set, enabling them to progress to more senior roles such as specialist midwives, consultant midwives and heads/directors of midwifery services. Throughout their degree students have the opportunity to work with leaders of the profession as part of a Leadership Learning Set, as well as attend an elective placement/internship to experience aspirational leadership outside of the local area.

“…this elective placement was important because it taught me about an adaptive leadership style that was required by the midwives practising in a resource-limited setting. I enjoyed learning about the different cultural traditions surrounding childbirth and motherhood. The “mamas” were very welcoming. I enjoyed being an additional support for the “mamas” in labour as birth partners are not common and it is not common culture for the midwives to stay with the women before the imminent time of birth”. Destiny

Individualised, holistic woman-focussed care: Caseholding

We also believe in educating students to firmly place the needs of women and their newborn infants at the centre of the care they provide. Strengthening the evidence base and providing respectful care, engenders trust, is empathetic, kind and tailored to the individual. Caseholding is a fantastic opportunity that allows our students to provide such care. This is adopted throughout all four years of the programme - students follow women and birthing people through their maternity journey.

“Caseholding in the second year was a wonderful experience where I had the opportunity to really develop my skills and even lead most of the appointments! I formed such amazing relationships with the women and their families and got to witness two incredible births. The continuity of care I was able to provide meant I could advocate for the women and was overall such a brilliant experience” Holly

“…you feel a lot more involved and gain more responsibilities as you enhance your midwifery and leadership skills. Providing continuity was so valued by the women in my caseloads, and I was also fortunate to facilitate their births, which I’ll never forget!” Georgia

Interprofessional education

We believe it is important to create partnerships and dialogue between care providers and service users and communities. From the very start we foster interprofessional learning and working among all students within the School of Healthcare for them to develop an appreciation and respect for each other’s roles to collectively provide high quality care. Students engage in learning with students from Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Physiotherapy and Radiography as well as students from the Medical School. 

UNICEF UK baby friendly initiative for universities accreditation

The University of Leicester achieved baby friendly accreditation. This means our student midwives will be educated and equipped with first class infant feeding knowledge and skills to take into clinical practice. This will enable them to provide parents with the best possible care to build close and loving relationships with their baby and to feed their baby in ways which will support optimum health and development.

Student success stories

We are committed to encouraging our students to be innovative and showcase their developing leadership skills through projects, awards and conference presentations. In the short time our programme has been running, our students have already achieved regional and national recognition. Selena Palmer was recently nominated in the Royal College of Midwives 2023 Annual Awards in the Unsung Hero category for support workers or students from a Black, Asian or ethnic background. This was for her work to ensure a change in culture, attitudes and behaviours in the University and clinical setting. Selena also contributed to the RCM’s Decolonising Midwifery Education Toolkit from the perspective of a student midwife of a global majority heritage.

“I was able to speak about the toolkit at the RCM’s recent Education and Research conference and although it was daunting, it was such an amazing opportunity. It was a lovely surprise to be nominated – I feel incredibly proud. Being there at the start of someone’s life journey is extremely rewarding.” Selena

Courses

• Midwifery with Leadership MSci (4-year degree)

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Unlock your nursing potential with us.

As you embark on this transformative journey with us, our dedicated nursing experts will impart invaluable skills that you'll carry into your clinical placements, where you'll spend 50% of your time gaining real-world experience.

We've partnered with placement areas across the Midlands to offer a diverse range of tailored experiences that suit your interests and your travel needs. For added convenience, our electric cars are at your disposal if you hold a driver's license.

The thing that sets us apart from other courses is our collaboration with the School of Business at the University of Leicester. It has led to the development of a unique leadership qualification to complement your nursing MSci which will propel you forward in your career shaping you into a #futureleader in nursing.

With small cohorts, we provide a personalised experience throughout your university journey. Our dedicated lecturers take pride in nurturing and supporting you to ensure you become the best nurse you can possibly be. We aim for you to go on to deliver the highest quality of care to patients, who are at the centre of all we do.

At the heart of our mission lies an unwavering commitment to delivering the highest quality of teaching which engages you as a student and transforms you into a confident and competent qualified nurse.

Join us on this extraordinary path to nursing excellence.

Courses

• Nursing with Leadership Dual field Mental Health and Adult MSci (4-year degree)
• Nursing with Leadership Dual field Mental Health and Child MSci (4-year degree)
• Nursing with Leadership Adult MSci (4-year degree)

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Become an Operating Department Practitioner, healthcare’s best kept secret. Our Operating Department Practice BSc (ODP) enables you to become a registered ODP who can work in a wide variety of clinical settings: within the operating department, intensive care, the emergency department and beyond. It’s not just doctors and nurses that work in the operating theatre; ODPs are here too and we all work together as one team.

Have you ever had an operation? Maybe someone in your family has had surgery? If so, they will have been looked after by an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP). ODPs are highly trained and skilful professionals who can do a variety of tasks independently. We are trained to work in the anaesthetic room, where we check and prepare all anaesthetic equipment before the patient goes to sleep. We can also scrub up and take part in assisting the surgeon with many different types of surgery. Performing this role means we are very good at handling and counting instruments and all other exciting surgical equipment. Another part of our role is being there to care for the patient when they wake up in the recovery room, making sure they are comfortable after their surgery.

As an ODP, no two days are the same: you could be helping to deliver a baby one day; then comforting and reassuring an elderly patient before their hip surgery on the next.

Our three-year degree program gives you all the knowledge and experience you will need to become an ODP. You will be on placement in real operating theatres for 65% of the course, meaning you will learn those vital clinical skills from other ODPs, working alongside surgeons, nurses, and anaesthetists (anaesthetic doctors) who all work together to make sure patients undergo safe surgery. At Leicester, you will benefit from learning about the scientific side of the role, along with other important academic skills that help you achieve the degree. You’ll be taught and supported by lecturers who are all registered ODPs, and have a personal tutor you can talk to any time.

Courses

• Operating Department Practice BSc (3-year degree)

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Physiotherapy helps to restore movement and function when someone is affected by injury, illness or disability. It can also help to reduce your risk of injury or illness in the future. It takes a holistic approach that involves the patient directly in their own care.

Physiotherapy can be helpful for people of all ages with a wide range of health conditions, including problems affecting the:

• bones, joints and soft tissue – such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain and sports injuries
• brain or nervous system – such as movement problems resulting from a stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson's disease
• heart and circulation – such as rehabilitation after a heart attack
• lungs and breathing – such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis

Physiotherapy can improve your physical activity while helping you to prevent further injuries.

Learn more about our accredited body the CSP

At the University of Leicester we use a wide range of learning techniques to help prepare you to become a qualified physiotherapist. Through a combination of university study and practical based placements within the Leicestershire region and beyond, you will become best prepared for a rewarding career in healthcare. 

Why study Physiotherapy at the University of Leicester?

• We have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as a Clinical Skills Unit, the medical dissecting room and dedicated physiotherapy practical rooms where we can provide high fidelity simulations.
• We have specialist visiting tutors who foster diversity, practice relevance, networking opportunities, and enhanced learning experiences for students.
• We utilise service users (patients and carers) to provide vital links to the community and real-life experiences.
• Our research profile has reached national and international recognition.
• Our educators and personal tutors are highly qualified and trained to be able to support your learning and transition to student life. Many are clinically based, and pass on their real-world experience and up-to-date knowledge to our students.

Style of teaching

• Very practical hands-on teaching (which mainly involves practicing on each other and an element of undress)
• Inter-professional education
• Blended learning with online and face-to-face teaching
• Small practical sessions
• Average of 20 contact hours and 20 hours self-directed practice

Student perspective 

"The Leicester Physiotherapy course was the best decision I made after sixth form and the first step towards a successful career. Both the campus and lecturers were fantastic providing optimum facilities and the highest quality teaching. The opportunity to learn from lecturers who are currently working in both academia and clinical work was a brilliant bonus. Since qualifying I have stayed local and worked in both Leicestershire trusts which have strong links with the university and I maintain contact with a number of lecturers. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a top quality Physiotherapy degree.”

Courses

• Physiotherapy BSc (3-year degree)
• Physiotherapy with Foundation Year BSc (4-year degree)

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Embark on an exciting journey into the heart of modern healthcare by studying our Radiography (Diagnostic) BSc, where cutting-edge technology meets compassionate service user care.

Radiographers are responsible for correct and safe use of equipment to create high quality diagnostic images to ensure the healthcare needs of the patient can be determined. As the backbone of medical imaging, Diagnostic Radiographers play an essential role in helping physicians unravel medical mysteries.

Our students operate ionising radiation, magnetic fields and ultrasonic waves to produce images of organs, bones, and tissues. You will learn to use advanced technology such as Digital Radiography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and work in collaboration with hospital Trusts in environments that are both challenging and rewarding. This allows our students to gain transferable skills such as research, leadership and mentoring.

If successful, you are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and look to secure your first Band 5 Radiographer post.

Courses

• Radiography (Diagnostic) BSc (3-year degree)

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