Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Master of Midwifery (Research)

Effective from 01-JAN-2027 : Code I19

This course prepares students to be independent researchers with the ability to develop and complete a research project relevant to midwifery.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to explore and extend contemporary practice through research activities.
2. Apply communication and collaboration skills to analyse and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge in the field of midwifery.
3. Reflect critically on a complex body of midwifery knowledge, research principles and methods to demonstrate mastery in the field of midwifery.
4. Use high-level self-management skills to plan and execute a substantial piece of research.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 8)

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

English Language requirement (Band 5)

 

In addition to satisfying ECU minimum English standard requirements for this course, all applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) English language skills registration standard. (https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards/English-language-skills)

These requirements are as follows:

• IELTS Academic with a minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the three components of listening, reading, and speaking, and a minimum score of 6.5 in the writing component.  This includes IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR).
  Note: Test results must be from one test sitting or two test sittings in a 12-month period.  Score requirements apply to all test dates (including tests taken from 23 April 2026).  When using two test sittings, no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting can be below 6.5, or
   
• Pearson English Test (PTE) Academic^
• Occupational English Test (OET)^
• TOEFL iBT for Australia^ 
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency^ 

^Please refer to the School of Nursing and Midwifery Band 5 English Proficiency Band requirements for details of the required individual test scores and test validity periods at https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/course-entry/english-proficiency-bands.

Alternatively, if English is your primary language and you have completed education in English in a recognised country, this may be accepted.  Please refer to the School of Nursing and Midwifery Band 5 English Proficiency Band requirements for details of the approved combined prior education pathways and recognised countries at https://www.ecu.edu.au/future-students/course-entry/english-proficiency-bands.

ECU’s minimum English standard requirements for this course may be satisfied with one of the following:

• Bachelor degree from an approved country;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience.

Course Specific Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to have demonstrated engagement in midwifery practice, and have a relevant undergraduate degree, with equivalents considered.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Research) Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 2 Years
• Part Time: 4 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Part Time, Full Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Course Coordinator

Prof Sara BAYES

Course Structure

Students are required to continue re-enrolling in the thesis component of their study until the thesis is submitted for examination.