How to become a midwife
A career in midwifery is incredibly rewarding, supporting women and families through an incredibly important time in their lives. Here you can find out about different routes into midwifery and what it means to be a midwife.
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Routes into midwifery
There are three routes into midwifery: a midwifery degree, a short course for registered adult nurses, or a degree apprenticeship (currently England only). Most midwifery degrees are three years, split across academic and clinical education. Universities offering midwifery are approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, which regulates midwives in the UK. A full list is available on their website and applications are made through UCAS.
Entry to midwifery courses is really competitive and each university will have its own specific entry criteria, so it is best to check with the individual institution. It may be beneficial to have some experience of health or social care, even if this is on a voluntary basis.
For registered adult nurses, there is a shortened 18-month course. For these, you may be able to apply direct to the university, so make sure you check before you submit your application.
An apprenticeship degree programme for maternity support workers (MSWs) was introduced in 2020. It offers the same qualification as the traditional route to university, and allows those apprentices to earn while they learn. The degree apprenticeship is only available at a limited number of universities and to those already working as MSWs. You can find out more about degree apprenticeships here.
Applying to university
Because getting onto a midwifery degree is competitive, you’ll want to ensure your application stands out for all the right reasons. Take advantage of university open days and talk to the midwifery team about what they’re looking for. It’s also a great opportunity to speak to current students about their experience. Ask questions about where clinical placements are, as they might not be close to the university. Your personal statement on the UCAS form should reflect why you want to study midwifery. Because of the nature of the work, getting work experience in a maternity service might be difficult, so consider how you can demonstrate from other experience, including voluntary work, how the qualities and values you have that will make you a good midwife. Following your application, you may be invited to interview at the university. Interviews vary, but often involve some general discussions, group work and role play. Some universities may ask you to complete a timed written essay on a topic which you should have been given information about prior to the interview. You may also be asked to complete a short maths test to demonstrate an understanding of basic maths. Make sure you prepare in advance so that you are well informed about recent news related to midwifery and other health care-related issues, and are clear about the role and responsibilities of qualified midwives.
Financial support while studying
Financial support varies across the UK countries.
Students from Scotland studying in Scotland don’t have to pay tuition fees, but they do apply everywhere else in the UK (including to students from Scotland). Financial support varies across the UK countries. Your university may also have its own guidance. For a broader overview, these links might be helpful
- England: The Funding Clinic
- Northern Ireland – Student Finance Northern Ireland
- Scotland – Student Awards Agency for Scotland
- Wales – Student Finance Wales
Frequently asked questions about becoming a midwife
Working as a midwife
Working as a midwife
When people think about midwives, they often think about birth. They picture a midwife assisting a woman as they give birth to her newborn baby. This is a vital part of a midwife’s work, but the role includes so much more.
A midwife is usually the first and main contact for the woman during her pregnancy, throughout labour and the early postnatal period. Midwives are responsible for providing care and supporting women to make informed choices about their care. They carry out clinical examinations, provide health and parent education and support women and their families throughout the childbearing process to help them adjust to their parental role. The midwife also works in partnership with other health and social care services to meet individual needs; for example, young adults, women who are socially excluded, disabled and from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Midwives are responsible for their own individual practice and have a statutory responsibility to keep up to date with current knowledge. The title ‘midwife’ and the function of a midwife is protected in law. For more information visit NHS Health Careers.
How midwives work
How midwives work
Midwives work in all health care settings in urban, remote and rural settings; for example, in the maternity unit of a large general hospital, in smaller stand-alone maternity units, in private maternity hospitals, in group practices, at birth centres, with general practitioners and in the community.
The majority of midwives practise within the NHS, working with other midwives or as part of a small team, with other health care professionals such as obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthetists, general practitioners, health visitors and support staff. There are also a small group of midwives who practice within social enterprise schemes. Midwives provide woman-centred integrated care, which requires them to work shifts over 7 days of the week including day and night duty. Many midwives have on-call rotas and work both within a hospital or community setting such as birth centres, midwifery led units and a woman’s home.
Career prospects
Once registered, midwives can progress their career in clinical practice. For example in specialist midwife roles in perinatal mental health or public health, education, for example as a lecturer working in universities, or practice education, research, undertaking and supporting research projects, leadership and management, clinical governance and supervision. Midwives may choose to undertake further post registration education and study at masters or doctorate level. See the RCM Career Framework for examples and case studies of midwifery career pathways.
