SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
122862  Advanced Diploma in Midwifery 
ORIGINATOR
South African Military Health Service Nursing College 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0527/24  2024-10-03  2027-10-03 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-10-03   2031-10-03  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery is to produce competent, independent, and critical-thinking midwives who will provide scientific, safe, and comprehensive quality midwifery care to individuals, families, and communities within the legal and ethical framework.

The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside of the scope of practice. The General Nurse will apply evidence-based nursing practice which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession.

Emphasis will be placed on ethical conduct and delivering a practitioner who has achieved a high level of ethical intelligence. Educational and administrative staff are devoted to ensuring quality education to practice within the ethical conduct of the profession. Learners will be sensitized to the diverse backgrounds among themselves and healthcare users which will assist them to deal with difficult situations including the appreciation of a unique military environment and to understand the different perceptions on health and wellness.

This qualification will adequately prepare competent independent practitioners who will be able to make sound clinical judgments in the provision of quality maternal and neonatal care in various healthcare settings.

Rationale:
The shortage of professional midwives in many countries in Africa necessitates the training of midwives as nurses to be deployed within the Republic of South Africa (RSA) borders and on international missions where midwifery becomes necessary, especially in countries where the healthcare system is deficient due to wars.

This qualification will enable the graduate to function as a clinically focused, service-orientated, independent midwife, who can render comprehensive maternal care from the pre-natal stage to the postnatal stage, nursing care to the neonate or new-born and support to maternal individuals within the Department of Defense (DoD) and in operational deployments within and outside the borders of the RSA.

The qualification is aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality rate by training quality competency-based, independent, critical, and analytical midwifery practitioners in line with the institution's philosophy. The training of midwives will benefit the country as the midwives are often utilised by the National Department of Health during crisis.

The qualification was approved by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Learners are required to register with the SANC as learners for the duration of the study period. On successful completion of this qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the SANC as a midwife/accoucheur. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 7 totalling 128 Credits.

Compulsory modules, Level 7, 128 Credits:
  • Anatomy Physiology and Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
  • Psychology-Sociology and Research, 4 Credits.
  • Ante-Natal Care, 27 Credits.
  • Intra-Partum Care, 27 Credits.
  • Post-Partum Care, 27 Credits.
  • Neonatal Care and Mother Craft, 26 Credits.
  • Professional Midwifery Practice, 13 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply specific knowledge of bio-natural, pharmacology and social sciences in Midwifery using an integrated approach.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to provide safe and quality midwifery and neonatal care in a scientific, integrated and evidence-based approach in all healthcare settings.
    3. Practice independently and professionally within an appropriate ethical-legal framework.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to improve the quality of midwifery and neonatal care through an analytical, reflective, and problem-solving approach.
    5. Effectively manage a midwifery unit through appropriate clinical governance strategy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology during the assessment and care of a pregnant individual, foetus and neonate in various healthcare settings.
  • Debate psychosocial aspects related to Midwifery in South Africa.
  • Evaluate drug usage during pregnancy, labour, and the postpartum period.
  • Apply knowledge of pharmacology in the management of the pregnant individual, foetus, and neonate in various healthcare settings.
  • Discuss the potency of vaccines based upon adherence to cold chain requirements at the manufacturing level, transport, storage, and vaccination activities.
  • Apply knowledge of the psychological impact on the healthcare management, counselling and advocacy for a mother and baby through the pre-conception, antenatal, intra-partum and postnatal stages
  • Explain the drug usage for neonates (healthy and sick).
  • Apply knowledge of the social impact on the healthcare management, counselling and advocacy for a mother and baby through the pre-conception, antenatal, intra-partum and postnatal stages.
  • Deliver comprehensive health education to clients regarding prescribed medication for persons with various health conditions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care of an individual and the individual's family pre-pregnancy, antenatally, intra-partum and postnatally in various healthcare settings.
  • Monitor the well-being of the foetus during pregnancy in various healthcare settings.
    Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the nursing care of a neonate in various healthcare settings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Integrate knowledge of applicable ethics, professional practice, and legal aspects during midwifery practice in various healthcare settings.
  • Appraise the important legal and ethical frameworks of midwifery.
  • Manage ethical issues in midwifery with the application of core values, including infertility, surrogacy, adoption, termination of pregnancy and termination of treatment.
  • Apply ethical codes, professional accountability, responsibility, confidentiality, and standards for the practice of Midwifery and Neonatal nursing consistently and correctly.
  • Manage medico-legal hazards in Midwifery.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Initiate, maintain and utilise methods of enquiry to monitor the quality of nursing care during maternal and neonatal care in various healthcare settings.
  • Participate in the development, review, and implementation of midwifery quality improvement plans in various healthcare settings.
  • Utilise research findings to develop and improve the standards of midwifery practice in all healthcare settings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the value of community involvement in nursing management practices and clinical leadership principles.
  • Access, develop, plan, and implement best practices and indicators in Midwifery care in various healthcare settings. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The assessment policy provides guidelines on how to compile theoretical assessments and on how to compile clinical assessments.

    Assessment consists of a continuous assessment system comprising formative assessment and summative assessments. Clinical and work-based experiences, (Work Integrated Learning) must comply with the regulations of the SANC.

    Formative Assessment:
  • Continuous formative structured assessments both theoretical and clinical are to be conducted to integrate theory and WIL and will contribute to 50% of the semester mark according to organizational policy view.
  • Formative theoretical assessments will be written tests, assignments, or group work.
  • Formative clinical assessment will be in real or simulation in the form of clinical demonstrations, Portfolio of Evidence (POE) or assignments/projects on a continuous basis throughout the semester.
  • A minimum of 60% of formative clinical assessment activities must be done in real-life situations to enable remedial and developmental action activities prior to the final summative assessment.
  • A continuous POE which will be assessed at the end of the second semester. Learners will only be found competent if the POE is completed on the due date and marked.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Final summative assessment both theory and clinical will take place at the end of each semester and will contribute to 50% of the semester mark according to organisational policy.
  • The qualification comprises of various modules. Each module articulates specific learner assessment methods. Modular descriptors provide the basis to determine the nature of summative assessments and indicate whether a summative assessment is theoretical, clinical or both.
  • A clinical summative assessment will be done prior to the theoretical summative assessment according to organisational policy.

    Admission to the theoretical assessment will be done according to organisation policy.
    Additional assessments will be conducted according to organisational policy and include the following:
  • Re-assessment. Learners who are not found competent and meet the requirement for re-assessment will be admitted to the re-assessment as per organisational policy.
  • Aegrotat/supplementary summative assessments will be conducted according to organisational policy.
  • Admission to or forfeiting of an assessment or re-assessment will be conducted according to organisation policy. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The international definition of a midwife is a responsible and accountable professional who works in partnership with women to give necessary support, care and advice during pregnancy, labour and post-partum periods, to conduct births on the midwife's own responsibility and to provide care for the newborn and infant. The care includes preventative measures, the promotion of normal birth, the detection of complications in mother and child, access to medical care or other appropriate assistance and the carrying out of emergency measures(The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC: 4) Standards for pre-registration midwifery education 2015). The training of the programmes for midwifery should be based on the above definition hence the nursing councils from various countries based the outcome of programmes offered on this.

    This qualification will give midwives an opportunity to acquire midwifery competencies, knowledge, and skills. The midwife will then be able to practise in hospitals, clinics, health units, homes and communities in any country as the competencies and modules of the curriculum have similarities with various councils and learning institutions in other countries. The following are examples of midwifery competencies required by various countries on different continents:

    The United Kingdom Nursing and Midwifery Council has the following Standards of Competence for the midwives practising in their country:
  • Effective Midwifery practice.
  • Professional and ethical practice.
  • Development of the individual midwife and others.
  • Achieving quality care through evaluation and research.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: Edge Hill University
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science Honours Midwifery
    Duration: 3 years full-time
    Entry Requirements:
  • 120-128 UCAS Tariff points which must be achieved from a maximum of three A Levels or equivalent, including one relevant subject (for example, Biology, Human Biology, Psychology, Health and Social Care, Sociology).
  • A Level: BBB-ABB.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications): Distinction, Distinction, Merit (DDM). Biology or Human Biology must be included at Level 3.
  • T Level: Overall grade of Merit in Health, Healthcare Sciences or Science.
  • International Baccalaureate (IB): accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Grade (HL) may apply.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 credits at Level 3 (Nursing and/or Midwifery, Allied Health Professionals). The required total can be attained from various Distinction/Merit credit combinations. At least 30 credits must be at Distinction and a further 15 credits at either Distinction or Merit. Biology or Human Biology must be included.

    Purpose:
    The Bachelor of Science Honours Midwifery is designed as a transition from general nursing to the midwifery field. Midwives are central to caring for women, newborns, birthing people and their families. They are experts in, and the lead professionals for, people experiencing normal childbirth. Learners will develop the skills to build relationships with women, birthing people, and their families, and be equipped to respond to their changing needs during pregnancy, birth and beyond. On successfully graduating from the qualification, learners will be eligible to register as qualified midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following modules:
  • Professional values and normal childbearing.
  • Complications during the childbearing continuum.
  • Research and evidence-based practice for maternal and neonatal health.
  • Public health perspective within maternity.
  • Leadership for professional midwifery practice.

    Year 1: Foundations of Midwifery Practice (120 credits) comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.
    Year 2: Developing Proficiency in Midwifery Practice (120 credits) comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.
    Year 3: Preparing for Professional Midwifery Practice comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.

    Assessment:
    Assessment in both theory and practice is continuous. Assessment of theory procedures includes assignments, seminar presentations, advanced notice examinations and simulated practice. Practice assessment is facilitated by practice assessors supported by academic assessors.

    Similarities:
  • The Edge Hill University (EHU) and the South African (SA) qualification will equip learners to become skilled, knowledgeable, competent, and compassionate midwives, able to provide holistic person-centred care across a range of midwifery and neonatal settings.
  • Both qualifications will allow successful learners to register as qualified midwives with the Nursing and Midwifery Council SANC respectively.

    Differences:
  • The EHU qualification takes three years of full-time study whereas the SA qualification takes one year of full-time study.
  • The EHU qualification has 240 credits while the SA qualification has 120 credits.
  • The SA qualification requires applicants who completed the Diploma in Nursing whereas the EHU qualification requires those who completed the secondary school qualification.

    Country: Malaysia
    Institution: KPJ Healthcare University
    Qualification Title: Advanced Diploma in Midwifery Nursing
    Duration: 1 Year Full Time
    Entry Requirements:
  • Possess a Diploma in Nursing from a recognised institution by MNB.
  • Registered with the Nursing Council of the country of origin.
  • Minimum 2 years of clinical working experience.

    Purpose:
    The Advanced Diploma in Midwifery Nursing is designed to provide theoretical and practical knowledge that will enhance the candidates in Obstetrics and Gynaecology settings. Potential Registered Nurses with an interest in this field of midwifery will be provided with the opportunities to explore the midwife role in terms of providing high-level care, nurses' skills, quality midwifery care, obstetric care, and safe motherhood issues.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules.
  • Foundation to Midwifery.
  • Normal Midwifery.
  • Newborn.
  • High-Risk Midwifery 1 comparable to Neonatal Care and Mother Craft.
  • Health Research and Statistics in Midwifery comparable to Psychology-Sociology and Research.
  • High-Risk Midwifery 2 and Well Women Health comparable to Neonatal Care and Mother Craft.
  • Practicum comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.

    Similarities:
  • The KPJ Healthcare University (KPJHU) and the South African (SA) qualifications are offered over 1 year of full-time study.
  • Both qualifications require applicants who completed the Diploma in Nursing or equivalent qualification and registration with the Nursing Council of the country of origin.
  • The KPJHU and the SA qualifications offer learners knowledge, skills and professional behaviours needed to provide high-quality care in meeting the physiological, psychological, and developmental needs of a woman throughout pregnancy, labour, and puerperium.
  • Both qualifications consist of compulsory modules.

    Country: Australia
    Institution: University of Tasmania
    Qualification Title: Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Specialisation)
    NQF Level: AQF level 8
    Duration: 1 Year Full time
    Entry requirements
  • Applicants must have graduated from a Bachelor of Midwifery program and practised as a Registered Midwife for at least six (6) months since graduation, prior to the start of the course.
    And
  • Applicants must be currently registered as a nurse with the Australian Health Professional Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

    Purpose:
    This qualification helps learners to function as midwifery practitioners competent to provide comprehensive care for women and their families during normal pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period in accordance with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council National Competency Standards for the Midwife.

    Delivered online, and in a part-time study mode, the University of Tasmania is now offering midwives the opportunity to further their knowledge and skills with the Graduate Certificate in Midwifery (Specialisation).

    Learning outcomes:
  • Synthesise advanced theoretical and technical disciplinary knowledge in a specialist area of midwifery practice.
  • Critically analyse complex health and social issues and relate midwifery knowledge and skills to implement specialist evidence-informed solutions.
  • Evaluate strategies used to optimise health in a specialist area of midwifery practice using independent judgement.
  • Communicate specialist midwifery knowledge and information to a range of audiences.

    Qualification structure:
    Learners are required to complete 4 units (50 credit points) from a specialisation as listed.
    Year 1
    Learners must select from the Child and Family Health Neonatal and Intensive and Special Care specialisations. Note: Compulsory Placement is required for Child and Family Health Specialisation.

    Child and Family Health
    Learners complete 4 units (50cp)

    Compulsory modules:
  • Child and Family Health: Clinical Practice 1 comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.
  • Child and Family Health: Clinical Practice 2 comparable to Professional Midwifery Practice.
  • Foundations of Child and Family Health.
  • Theoretical Aspects of Child and Family Health.

    Neonatal Intensive and Special Care
    Learners must be working in Neonatal Intensive Care or a Special Care Nursery.

    First Year Compulsory
  • Foundations of Children's Care 1 comparable to Ante-Natal Care, Intra-Partum Care Post-Partum Care.
  • Foundations of Children's Care 2 comparable to Ante-Natal Care, Intra-Partum Care Post-Partum Care.
  • Neonatal Intensive and Special Care Theory comparable to Neonatal Care and Mother Craft.
  • Neonatal Intensive and Special Care Practice comparable to Neonatal Care and Mother Craft.

    Similarities:
  • The University of Tasmania (UoT) and the South African (SA) qualifications take one year of full-time study.
  • Both qualifications accept applicants who completed the tertiary nursing qualification and are registered with the Nursing Council in the country of origin.
  • Both qualifications offer learners the opportunity to advance critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills while developing professional growth within the midwife speciality.

    Differences:
  • The SA qualification is registered at SA NQF Level 7 while the UoT qualification is registered at AQF Level 8.
  • The UoT qualification is delivered online and has an option of part-time study mode whereas the SA qualification is delivered in contact mode.
  • The UoT qualification offers specialisations while the SA qualification has no specialisations. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma in Trauma and Emergency Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma in Occupational Health Nursing, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Nursing in Education and Administration, NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science in Education, Management and Community, NQF Level 7.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Administration, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Nursing Honours in Education, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma Midwifery, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Child Nursing, NQF Level 8.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. South African Military Health Service Nursing College 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.