Midwife
According to the Estonian Occupational Qualification Standard: Midwife, EstQF Level 6, a midwife is a highly trained healthcare professional who supports women and families throughout pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and across the reproductive life span. Midwives provide evidence-based care in antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal settings, promote reproductive and sexual health, and offer guidance on mental health in collaboration with other specialists.
Midwifery practice is grounded in respect for human rights and center on the needs, preferences, and decisions of women and families. Midwives work in primary, outpatient, and inpatient care, as well as in organizations that advance professional development.
The profession is both responsible and demanding, requiring strong clinical skills, critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and effective communication. Midwives continually develop their competencies through ongoing professional education and contribute to a supportive learning culture.
Midwife Curriculum, BSc study
Nominal length of study: 4,5 years.
Dual degree: integrated study program. The midwifery curriculum allows students to obtain two professional qualifications- midwife and nurse.
Language of studies: Estonian language (in Tallinn).
Curriculum contains 7 modules (270 ECTS):
- Midwifery Care, 64 ECTS
- Midwifery in a Community, 66 ECTS
- Nursing Care, 45 ECTS
- Specialized Nursing Care, 26 ECTS
- Basic Studies, 44 ECTS
- Research Methodology, 20 ECTS
- Elective Subjects, 5 ECTS
Volume of Practical Training in curriculum 111 ECTS
Graduation requirements: Students can elect graduation thesis or final examination (5 ECTS).
The qualification is subject to automatic recognition pursuant to the European Parliament and Council Directive 2005/36/EC. In addition, as the Curriculum of Midwife fully contains the Curriculum of General Nurse, the Nursing qualification included in the qualification of Midwife is subject to automatic recognition.
The owner of the diploma has been given the profession of midwife on the 6th level of qualifications classification.
The Midwifery Curriculum also complies with the requirements set by the International Confederation of Midwives, as outlined in The ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice.
