The philosophy which underpins the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery is based on the belief that every individual has the right to be afforded dignity, courtesy, respect and recognises that every individual has the potential for growth, development and maturation.

The curriculum is designed to develop an awareness of self and others in the student. In herself*, the student will develop analytical and reflective thinking skills and be able to transfer these skills into practice in a therapeutic manner that benefits women and their families. This professional and personal development will occur in an environment that is facilitated by Midwifery Teachers and Midwives who fundamentally believe in an androgogical philosophy, the principle of partnership and shared responsibility in learning. This process of learning and development recognises that the environment is dynamic, that the student has service delivery as well as learning responsibilities and that each individual brings to the situation previously learnt skills and experiences.

Midwifery is conceptualised as the entire process of being with women (and their families) throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period and encompasses all that is essential and desirable to each individual woman. The nature of midwifery is such that for its effective practice, a variety of knowledge, skills, attributes and abilities are required and it is the transference of these skills into practice in order to meet the individual woman’s needs that makes midwifery care effective and relevant.