Bachelor of Midwifery

Learn how to confidently nurture pregnant women through one of life's most meaningful events.
Midwives work with women to provide care in pregnancy, childbirth and up to the first six weeks of a baby's life.
Recognised by the Midwifery Council of New Zealand, our three-year degree uses blended delivery techniques to enable you to study and work in Christchurch, NelsonMarlborough, the West Coast or South Canterbury. All sites are supported by a midwifery lecturer who’ll provide individual support, organise face-to-face tutorials, facilitate your online studies and coordinate local practice experience for you in your own region. The degree is made up of theory and practice undertaken over 45 weeks each year and includes compulsory block weeks in Christchurch.
Topics covered include midwifery practice skills, nutrition, lactation and bioscience foundations. You’ll learn about Māori health, integrated midwifery practice and rural midwifery practice to allow you to adapt to the wide range of needs and circumstances encountered in midwifery. You’ll also follow at least 25 women throughout their midwifery care and facilitate 40 births in a variety of maternity settings.

By the time you graduate, you’ll possess a good understanding of how to assess the social, psychological, physical, emotional, spiritual and cultural needs of each woman and her family, enabling you to support them through the childbirth experience.

New Zealand University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include:

18 credits at Level 3 in each of Biology and/or Chemistry††

and a minimum of 16 credits at Level 3 in an English language rich subject such as English, history, art history, classical studies, geography or economics

and a further 16 credits at Level 3 in one other subject from the list of approved subjects* and

Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing, and

Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above (specified achievement standards, or unit standards 26623, 26626, 26627)

OR New Zealand Certificate in Study and Career Preparation (Level 4) Ara Pre Health Pathway or equivalent.

†† If an applicant does not have a minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in Biology OR Chemistry, they must have achieved 16 credits at level 2 in Biology OR Chemistry.

If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.

* NZQA approved subjects

Alternative requirements

Still want to study but don't meet the Academic Requirements?

If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry. Registered nurses or other Registered health practitioners must hold registration with the relevant regulatory authority in New Zealand. A Certificate of Good Standing is required from the relevant regulatory authority.

English language requirements:

IELTS test - Academic score of 7 with no band score lower than 6.5

SPEAKING - 7.0
READING - 6.5
WRITING - 6.5
LISTENING - 7.0