Bachelor of Midwifery
Department of Midwifery
Prepares skilled midwives to provide care to women and newborns through pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period, to recognise and manage complications, and to strengthen maternal and newborn health in facilities and communities.
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Midwifery (BSc Midwifery)
Duration
5 Years (10 Semesters)
Total Credit Hours
178 Credit Hours
Total Courses
63 Courses
Language of Instruction
English
Campus Location
Mogadishu, Somalia
Overview
Somalia continues to face among the highest maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the world, with preventable deaths occurring daily from haemorrhage, infection, eclampsia, prolonged and obstructed labour, and neonatal asphyxia — conditions a skilled midwife is trained to manage. The Bachelor of Midwifery programme aligns with the International Confederation of Midwives' Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice and the guidance of the World Health Organization on pre-service midwifery education, integrating the foundational biological sciences, maternal and newborn clinical practice, pharmacology, reproductive health, community midwifery, obstetric emergencies, research methodology, and professional ethics, with supervised clinical placements integrated across the final three years.
Vision & Mission
To be a centre of excellence in maternal and newborn health education, producing compassionate and competent midwives who contribute to improving maternal, newborn, and reproductive health outcomes in Somalia and beyond.
To prepare graduates who can meet the unique and diverse needs of childbearing women, newborns, and families through a commitment to evidence-based practice, cultural sensitivity, professional partnership, and health equity.
Objectives & Learning Outcomes
- 1Professional Competence — to equip students with the knowledge and clinical skills to provide comprehensive, safe, and effective care throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period.
- 2Evidence-Based Practice — to enable students to apply current research, clinical guidelines, and best practice in decision-making and the delivery of maternity care.
- 3Ethics and Professionalism — to instil the ethical principles, legal responsibilities, and professional standards that govern midwifery practice, fostering accountability, integrity, and respect for women's rights and dignity.
- 4Health Promotion and Education — to prepare graduates to educate women, families, and communities on reproductive health, maternal and newborn care, nutrition, and family planning.
- 5Leadership and Collaboration — to develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills essential for effective participation in multidisciplinary health teams and for the management of midwifery services.
- 6Research and Innovation — to encourage engagement with midwifery research, quality improvement, and innovative practices that strengthen maternal and newborn health services.
- 7Cultural and Global Awareness — to promote understanding of cultural diversity, Islamic values in healthcare, and global midwifery standards, preparing graduates to serve all communities with respect and sensitivity.
- 1Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of maternal, newborn, and reproductive physiology and apply it to safe, evidence-based midwifery practice across the full childbearing continuum.
- 2Provide skilled and compassionate care during pregnancy, normal and complicated labour, birth, the postpartum period, and for the newborn and family.
- 3Assess, diagnose, and manage obstetric and neonatal emergencies competently, initiating appropriate referral when required.
- 4Integrate research evidence and clinical guidelines into midwifery decision-making and quality improvement.
- 5Demonstrate ethical, legal, and professional accountability in all aspects of midwifery practice, upholding the dignity and rights of women and newborns.
- 6Communicate effectively and compassionately with women, families, communities, and multidisciplinary health teams using clear, therapeutic, and culturally sensitive approaches.
- 7Participate in community and reproductive health activities, including health education, family planning, and disease prevention within diverse Somali communities.
- 8Apply leadership, management, and education skills to contribute to the development of midwifery practice and services.
- 9Engage in lifelong learning and midwifery research to advance maternal and newborn health outcomes.
Programme Duration
- Total duration: five (5) academic years, comprising ten (10) semesters, each 17 weeks in length.
- Academic load: 63 courses and 178 credit hours in total, distributed across the ten semesters as prescribed in the Study Plan.
Admission & Graduation Requirements
Entry Criteria
- High school certificate — grade 12 or equivalent qualification recognized by the Ministry of Education.
- Satisfactory performance on the university entrance examination.
- Satisfactory performance in the personal interview.
- Demonstrated proficiency in English sufficient to follow instruction delivered in that language.
- Physical fitness to undertake supervised clinical practice, confirmed by medical examination.
Required Documents
- Complete application form (the university enrolment form).
- Official high school transcript.
- Four passport-size photographs (white background).
- Application fee receipt.
- Valid medical clearance and vaccination records.
- Complete all required coursework and components of the programme.
- Pass all courses with no grades of F/Fail, NG/No Grade, or I/Incomplete.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.
- Successfully complete all prescribed supervised clinical practice hours.
- Complete the final-year clinical placement.
- Submit and obtain approval of the graduation project.
Career Opportunities
Licensed Midwife
Practising in hospitals, health centres, and maternity facilities.
Maternal and Child Health Specialist
Community Midwife
Providing antenatal, delivery, and postnatal services in community settings.
Clinical Midwifery Educator and Skills-Laboratory Instructor
Perinatal Consultant and Neonatal Care Specialist
Lactation Consultant
Obstetric and Emergency Obstetric Care Specialist
Family Planning and Reproductive Health Counsellor
Midwifery Unit Manager
In hospitals or birth centres.
Midwifery Researcher and Maternal and Newborn Health Research Officer
Humanitarian and NGO Midwifery Specialist
Delivery & Assessment
- Classroom-based learning through lectures, seminars, and tutorials.
- Skills-laboratory and simulation-based training in the midwifery skills laboratory.
- Supervised clinical placements in affiliated hospitals, maternity centres, and health facilities.
- Community-based learning through field visits, antenatal outreach, and community health programmes.
- Self-directed and e-learning through online modules, assignments, and research projects.
| Assessment Component | Weighting |
|---|---|
| Written Examinations | 60% |
| Practical and Fieldwork Reports | 20% |
| Class Assignments and Quizzes | 10% |
| Presentations and Participation | 10% |
| Total | 100% |
Faculty and Learning Facilities
- Midwifery skills and simulated birthing laboratory.
- Clinical placement sites in maternity units and community maternal health services.
Contact Information
Faculty of Health Sciences, Somali International University (SIU)