England's preregistration undergraduate degree in nursing and midwifery programs were subjected to a comprehensive evaluation that included the following data collection activities: in-depth field studies of 26 of 32 three- and four-year undergraduate nursing and midwifery programs; individual interviews with 129 lecturers, 54 students, 52 clinicians, and 47 program graduates; group interviews with 8 lecturers, 28 students, and 5 clinicians; and telephone interviews with 7 national policymakers and 7 course leaders. The study focused on the following: development/reform of undergraduate nursing/midwifery education; curriculum development/implementation; clinical learning resources/environments; student learning objectives and strategies; informal/formal monitoring of degree programs; student finances and part-time work; student roles in programs; and program outcomes. The study established that preregistration undergraduate programs in nursing and midwifery have maintained relatively low attrition rates and produced qualified graduates who have overwhelmingly gone into clinical practice. Principles/criteria determining the quality of the following aspects of undergraduate degree programs were identified: structuring the education process; avoiding unacceptable compromise; planning for/creating coherence; achieving quality, range, and relevance of learning experience; emphasizing educational dialogue; supporting critical reflection; and providing support for teaching staff and liaisons with clinical staff. (Thirteen tables/figures and 114 references are included.) (MN)