Department of Midwifery

 

Introduction

Midwifery in Denmark is part of the Danish health system especially related to families and their children. The Danish midwife works in both the primary and secondary health sectors. The work of the midwife is directed towards the woman herself and her family, groups of women, and fathers-to-be. The midwife undertakes tasks related to maternal care services, assistance at childbirth and maternity care. In addition, the midwife can undertake tasks related to instruction, communication, guidance and counseling in areas concerning health, family planning, sexuality and partnerships, parenthood and family dynamics.

The professional activity of the midwife aims to strengthen and support the mother and her family throughout the whole process of family formation, with particular attention to factors of importance for the particular case.

Exchange students

Becoming an exchange student in Denmark you will be a student at UCN’s Department of Midwifery in Aalborg for the theoretical part of the degree programme. Should you wish to be an exchange student during a clinical phase you will be stationed at one of the nine clinical wards in Northern- or Mid-Jutland. These hospitals are all specialized and have between 1,200 and 5,000 births per year. You will be under assignment and will work under a Clinical Tutor and two Daily Clinical Midwives.

Common to both theoretical and clinical exchange periods are that you will be assisted by UCN’s international tutor corps who will assist you on arrival in Denmark and with subsequent participation in social events or professional meetings.

Organisation of the programme

The degree programme is defined as 3½ years full time study units, equivalent to 210 ECTS. The programme is divided into 14 modules with individual themes. The degree programme entitles the student to the title of ”Bachelor of Midwifery”.

Half of the course is theoretical and takes place at UCN, University College of Northern Denmark. The second half of the programme period is used for clinical modules. The learning process in these modules is organized in midwifery centers, delivery wards, maternity wards, gynecological sections of hospitals and neonatal wards, and also in operation theatres and intensive care sections.

The degree programme is finished with a written bachelor project (thesis) in midwifery skills. The project is followed by an oral examination with a defense of the project paper.

Both practical clinical and theoretical education are planned so that the student learns how to analyze and deal with problems specific to the profession, and develop their critical analysis abilities and active competences. Throughout the course personal skills are also developed and integration of theoretical and practical skills is in focus for a critical and practical midwifery career.
 

Facts