Bachelor of Midwifery

Summary

Give back to your community and build a meaningful career as you help to bring new life—and new parents—into the world. Our research-informed degree prepares you for a rewarding career as a midwife.

As a student of our Bachelor of Midwifery, you’ll build your knowledge of both the practice and theory of midwifery. You’ll be learning through lectures, labs, clinical learning experiences with midwives, women, and pregnant people, and group work in a simulation environment at our Kelburn campus. Our four-year degree structure helps you balance home life, work, and study.

Get a taste for university

Watch this short taster lecture to help you decide which degree is right for you. If you're curious to explore more, check out our full library of taster lectures.

You'll be learning from academics who are experienced and passionate midwives—as well as getting access to Victoria University of Wellington’s expertise in science, psychology, and education.

Scholarships for international students

We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree. Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.

First year

In your first year, you’ll mostly be based at our Kelburn campus, taking foundation courses in biology, chemistry, human development, and health psychology.

You’ll begin your introduction to midwifery practice, experiencing the hands-on aspects of care in a clinical setting like a hospital or birthing centre, or with a midwife in the community.

Second and third years

You’ll spend time getting more experience with midwifery practice in clinical learning environments. This might be in a simulation lab or in a real-life setting with women, pregnant people, and babies.

You’ll also build your knowledge of the theory of midwifery through lectures, online learning, and face-to-face intensives at the University’s campus.

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Fourth year

By the end of your fourth year, you will have completed 2,400 hours of practice. You’ll have the skills, knowledge, and experience to sit the National Midwifery Examination and qualify as a registered midwife.

After you graduate

As New Zealand’s population grows and becomes more diverse, so does the demand for midwives from all backgrounds. There is a shortage of midwives in many parts of New Zealand, including Wellington.

Once you pass the National Midwifery Examination, you’ll be ready to step into your new career—whether you want to work as a core midwife in a hospital or birthing centre, or as a lead maternity carer (LMC) in the community, supporting women and pregnant people in hospitals, birthing centres, or at home.

Take your skills to the next level

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington also offers a number of postgraduate study options to help you take your midwifery study further. Develop a deeper understanding of your work and improve the quality of care you provide.

Scholarships

Bachelor of Midwifery students can apply for the Todd Scholarship and the Laerdal New Zealand Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship annually, as well as for a range of other scholarships including the University’s Tangiwai, Totoweka, and Kahotea scholarships available to school leavers.

International scholarships

Many scholarships are available for international students at Victoria University of Wellington. They can help with tuition fees and with accommodation costs.