Bachelor of Midwifery

Entry criteria

• University Entrance as defined by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). In addition, Midwifery Council also requires that all applicants have NCEA level 3, consisting of:

  • a minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in biology, chemistry or physics
  • a minimum of 16 credits at Level 3 in an English language rich subject (such as English, history, art history, classical studies, geography, economics or media studies)
  • a further 16 credits at Level 3 or higher in two approved subjects or domains on the National Qualifications Framework

• 20 credits at Level 2, including

  • a minimum of 16 credits in biology
  • and a further 16 credits in chemistry or physics

• 16 credits in another Level 2 subject

• Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:

  • 5 credits in reading, and
  • 5 credits in writing

• Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:

  • specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
  • unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).

• successful completion of a New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 4) aka Health Bridging Health Bridging Certificate (Level 3 and 4) | Otago Polytechnic, or
• a recognised equivalent

If English is not your first language, you must complete an assessment of your English Language and pass the required standard. This is not applicable for applicants where any of the official languages of Aotearoa are their first language.

You need either an:

• Overall Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0, with scores in the following areas:

  • Comprehension band 6.5
  • Writing band 6.5
  • Speaking band 7.0
  • Listening band 7.0

• Occupational English Test (OET) with passes at A or B (350 or above) in the four areas.

Evidence of successful completion must be provided at the time of application. If you believe that you should be exempt from this requirement, please contact the Midwifery Council by emailingwiferycouncil.health.nz. Any exemptions are at the discretion of the Midwifery Council and applicants must provide written proof of exemption or IELTs results to be accepted to the Bachelor of Midwifery.

You must also:

• provide testimony from at least two referees who can demonstrate you have good character and that you will be safe and effective to practice as a midwife, as required by the Childrens’ Act 2014.

  • referees will ideally be provided by an academic in a leadership or tutorial position/teacher/lecturer, and an employment/professional/volunteer-based referee
  • referees must be people of standing in the community. If you have not studied in the last five years, a second professional referee may be contacted instead of an academic referee.
  • referees may not be a family member, partner or flatmate.

• a self declaration of any mental and/or physical conditions, to demonstrate that you are fit for practice as a midwife. Under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 some types of physical or mental conditions may result in the Midwifery Council being unable to register a person as a midwife. A medical report may also be requested, where evidence of good health is required, as per Midwifery Council requirements.

• personal statement, which demonstrates communication skills and self-responsibility in relation to your learning and practice, as required by the Midwifery Council.

• provide a current comprehensive or standard First Aid Certificate, including proficiency in CPR (NQF unit standards 6401 and 6402 or equivalent).

• provide a copy of your drivers licence and an indication that you have access to reliable transport for on-call practice. This programme has travel requirements associated with clinical placement; it is therefore recommended that you have a driver's licence to support you with meeting the programme clinical placement requirements.

Once you are accepted into the programme you are required to complete a safety check. The safety check is required to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Children’s Act 2014. This may include, but is not limited to:

• Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Reference checks
• Police check
• A risk assessment

Unsatisfactory results arising from the full safety checking process may result in you being declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study.

Please note: Registered health practitioners from other disciplines who seek Recognition of Prior Learning on the basis of their health professional qualification and practice experience must hold registration with the relevant regulator authority in New Zealand and provide a Certificate of Good Standing from that authority.