Bachelor of Midwifery
This internationally renowned qualification leads to registration as a midwife in New Zealand with solid, theoretical learning and real-life midwifery experience. Complete your studies through a blended combination of practical experience, online learning and compulsory block courses in Dunedin or Porirua.
Domestic
Central Otago
Southland
Palmerston North
Whanganui
Greater Wellington
About the programme
Qualify in just three years with this internationally-renowned programme.
Our degree gives you real-world practice from your first month, working with midwives and women/pregnant people in your community. This programme takes passion, determination and commitment but we'll give you all the support you need to succeed. And, with the flexibility of blended learning, it's possible to do most of your study from your home-base.
Blended learning means you'll learn through weekly face-to-face hui ākonga (tutorials), online learning, midwifery practice experiences (such as hospital shifts and community-based midwifery experience) and wānanga (block courses) held on our campus in Dunedin and Porirua. Each site has a designated kaiako (midwifery lecturer) who provides support and runs the face-to-face hui ākonga.
This programme leads to registration with Te Tatau O Whare Kahu (Midwifery Council of New Zealand).
Our graduates are highly sought-after and there is a particularly high demand for Māori and Pasifika midwives.
Career options include being a community-based, case loading midwife, working within a maternity facility, being involved in education and research in the field of midwifery, and providing advice to professional and regulatory bodies, government departments and maternity stakeholders.
Studying part-time
We know that full-time study isn't always possible. You can choose to study part-time over four years at any of our locations. If you choose this option, you will:
- only do theory in Year One (not practice)
- complete the Year One practice and Year Two theory in Year Two
- complete Year Two practice in Year Three, and
- then your final year must be full-time.
Find more information about this part-time option in the Workload section below.
International
Central Otago
Southland
Palmerston North
Whanganui
Greater Wellington
About the programme
Qualify in just three years with this internationally-renowned programme.
Our degree gives you real-world practice from your first month, working with midwives and women/pregnant people in your community. This programme takes passion, determination and commitment but we'll give you all the support you need to succeed. And, with the flexibility of blended learning, it's possible to do most of your study from your home-base.
Blended learning means you'll learn through weekly face-to-face hui ākonga (tutorials), online learning, midwifery practice experiences (such as hospital shifts and community-based midwifery experience) and wānanga (block courses) held on our campus in Dunedin and Porirua. Each site has a designated kaiako (midwifery lecturer) who provides support and runs the face-to-face hui ākonga.
This programme leads to registration with Te Tatau O Whare Kahu (Midwifery Council of New Zealand).
Our graduates are highly sought-after and there is a particularly high demand for Māori and Pasifika midwives.
Career options include being a community-based, case loading midwife, working within a maternity facility, being involved in education and research in the field of midwifery, and providing advice to professional and regulatory bodies, government departments and maternity stakeholders.
What You Study
What is blended learning?
Blended learning means that you learn through a combination of practical experience, online learning and traditional classroom teaching. And you'll learn this way at all of our satellite locations, including Dunedin.
The Bachelor of Midwifery is delivered at a series of satellite sites (North Island - Whanganui, Palmerston North and Greater Wellington; South Island - Dunedin, Central Otago and Southland). Each satellite site has a designated kaiako (Midwifery lecturer) who provides support and runs face-to-face hui ākonga.
What your learning looks like
1. Weekly hui ākonga: Weekly face-to-face tutorials in small groups with your kaiako.
2. Online learning: A mix of online tutorials and lecturers, both with your class and self-directed.
3. Practical experience: Hospital shifts and community-based midwifery experience.
4. Wānanga: Intensive block courses held on campus in Dunedin and the Kāpiti Coast (Porirua).
Programme structure by year
Year one
Practice experience starts early in year one where you will follow up to five whānau through their childbirth experiences. You will also complete 21 shifts in a maternity facility/ies across the year. The shifts will be a mixture of day, afternoon, and night shifts. Shifts may be in the antenatal and post-natal ward/s and/or birthing units depending on the hospital. There are five, one-week wānanga in year one.
Year two
Second year ākonga (students) follow a community-based, case loading midwife for two weeks, then follow six women in the midwife’s caseload. They also complete 24 shifts in antenatal and post-natal wards and birthing units. Additional shifts may be undertaken in NICU, SCBU, Family Planning, breastfeeding support, and other women and child health areas. Placements will depend on the availability of services in each area. There are five, one-week wānanga in year two.
Year three (final year)
Third year ākonga (students) complete 33 weeks of placements with midwives in both community and hospital environments. Up to three of these practise placements will be away from your home area. There are three, one-week wānanga in year three.
Wānanga
In total, there are five, one-week wānanga in both year one and year two, and three, one-week wānanga in year three. These are held at Whitireia Porirua campus in the North Island or at the Otago Polytechnic Dunedin campus in the South Island.
Courses
The Bachelor of Midwifery degree is 3 years of full-time study, but the credit value is equivalent to 4 years of full-time study (compressed into 3 calendar years).
Year one
Year One focuses on the woman/wahine and her family/whānau and explores the wider context of New Zealand's maternity services and the options and choices available to women and families. It provides a context for midwifery practice and development of specific midwifery knowledge and skills.
Gain practice experience in maternity facilities and through one-on-one continuity of care with women and midwives, where you provide a support role for women throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and the postnatal period.
Year two
Year Two focuses on the midwife and her developing professional framework for practice. It provides the opportunity for you to develop specific midwifery practice knowledge and skills. Courses focus on the knowledge and skills required for you to work in the Midwifery Scope of Practice and to work collaboratively with other health professionals when required.
Gain experience in a variety of settings including one-on-one continuity of care experiences with women and midwives, and undertake placements in a range of maternity facilities, particularly secondary and tertiary facilities.
Year three
Year Three focuses on the partnership between each midwife and woman in the shared experiences of pregnancy and childbirth. It enables you to integrate and consolidate your learning from Years One and Two and demonstrate your readiness to meet the Competencies for Entry to the Register of Midwives.
|
Course |
Course Name |
Prerequisite |
Corequisite |
Level |
Credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Year one |
All compulsory |
|
|
|
|
|
BM101104 |
Midwifery Ways of Knowing |
|
|
5 |
20 |
|
BM102104 |
Midwifery Assessment and Practice Skills |
|
|
5 |
45 |
|
BM102204 |
Sharing the Woman's Experience of Childbirth |
|
|
5 |
40 |
|
BM104104 |
Women in Aotearoa New Zealand |
|
|
5 |
15 |
|
BM105104 |
Bioscience Foundations |
|
|
5 |
15 |
|
BM106104 |
Hauora Māori |
|
|
5 |
10 |
|
BM103104 |
Integrated Midwifery Practice 1 |
|
All first year courses |
5 |
5 |
|
BM105204 |
Pharmacology Foundations |
5 |
10 |
||
|
Year two |
All compulsory |
|
|
|
|
|
BM201104 |
Midwifery Ways of Knowing 2 |
BM101104 |
|
6 |
20 |
|
BM202104 |
Midwifery Scope of Practice |
BM102104, |
|
6 |
40 |
|
BM202204 |
The Midwife and Collaborative Practice |
BM202104 |
|
6 |
45 |
|
BM202604 |
The Midwife, Newborn and Breastfeeding |
BM102104, |
|
6 |
20 |
|
BM205104 |
Bioscience in Pregnancy and Childbirth |
BM105104 |
|
6 |
15 |
|
BM205204 |
Pharmacology and Prescribing |
BM105304 |
|
6 |
10 |
|
BM203104 |
Integrated Midwifery Practice 2 |
All first year courses |
All second |
6 |
5 |
|
BM204104 |
Women's Health |
|
|
6 |
5 |
|
Year three |
All compulsory |
|
|
|
|
|
BM301104 |
Midwifery Ways of Knowing 3 |
BM201104 |
|
7 |
10 |
|
BM302104 |
Rural Midwifery Practice |
BM202104; BM202604; |
|
7 |
30 |
|
BM302204 |
Continuity Midwifery Practice |
BM202104; BM202604; BM202304; |
|
7 |
60 |
|
BM302304 |
Elective Midwifery Practice |
BM202104; BM202204; |
|
7 |
35 |
|
BM302404 |
Secondary/Tertiary Midwifery Practice |
BM202104; BM202204; |
|
7 |
15 |
|
BM307104 |
Sustainable Midwifery Practice |
|
|
7 |
10 |
Workload
Time commitment
Midwifery is a very rewarding, but very demanding study programme.
This is the equivalent of a four-year degree taught in three years, so the academic expectations and the demands of practice placements in this programme will have an impact on your family and personal life.
Before you apply, we recommend that you have a discussion with your whānau/family about how they can support you to succeed in this programme.
The information below should give you a good idea of what to expect when you study this programme.
|
Study |
Time |
|---|---|
|
|
3-year programme a minimum of 4800 total programme hours* (480 credits):
|
|
Year one |
three 15-week trimesters and 7 weeks of break per year |
|
Year two |
three 15-week trimesters and 7 weeks of break per year |
|
Year three |
individual placement schedule. Provides 33 weeks of midwifery practice experience at an average of 35.5 hours per week. |
Placements
Placements last from 4 to 14 weeks. Travel and accommodation will be extra costs on top of your programme fees (see Fees section for more info).
|
Year one |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Orientation |
All students are required to travel to Dunedin for the first week of the course. You will also attend a noho marae. |
Costs will involve flights, accommodation, transportation and food. We will provide details once you have been accepted to our programme. |
|
Midwifery Practice Placements |
Year One students (especially in rural areas) will need to travel to main centres with some clients, and for specific midwifery practice placements |
Extra costs of travel, accommodation and child care. Petrol and accommodation will add up over the three years of the programme. |
|
Year two |
|
|
|
Midwifery Practice Placements |
All students will need to leave their home location from time to time to access appropriate experience. |
Extra costs of travel, accommodation and child care. |
|
Year three |
|
|
|
Midwifery Practice Placements |
Year Three placements are individually negotiated but students should plan for at least two placements away from their home location. |
Please plan for travel and accommodation costs of these placements. Main centre placements are contestable and students who live in main centres will be required to leave for at least one placement. |
Studying part-time
You can choose to study part-time over four years at any of our locations. If you choose this option, you will:
- only do theory in Year One (not practice)
- complete the Year One practice and Year Two theory in Year Two
- complete Year Two practice in Year Three, and
- then your final year must be full-time.
Please note that this part-time pathway will mean that you don’t qualify for Studylink funding in Year One (Studylink funding is for domestic students only during this programme).
There is some limited flexibility in the first three years of this study path depending on your personal circumstances; our Student Advisor will contact the successful applicants who have requested part time study in the month before orientation.
If you’re keen to find out more, please email our Student Advisor – Midwifery@op.ac.nz or phone 0800 786 762 and ask to speak with the School of Midwifery about studying part-time.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
NCEA Level 3 including:
- 60 credits at Level 3 or higher including:
- a minimum of 18 credits at Level 3 in biology and/or chemistry
- a minimum of 16 credits 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 one other subject 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
- 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).
For those over 20
- Evidence of academic equivalence of the above qualifications, such as through successful completion of a Level 4 bridging programme for health-related degrees. A Level 4 average of 75/B+ is required for entry, including a 75/B+ in a level 4 Bioscience course, or
- Demonstrated evidence of ability to study successfully at degree-level, such as applicants who have already successfully completed a degree programme and have demonstrated transferable study skills.
English Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- Overall Academic IELTS of 7.0 from one test completed in the last two years, or equivalent (an OET test with passes at A or B in the four areas):
- Comprehension band 6.5
- Writing band 6.5
- Speaking band 7.0
- Listening band 7.0
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 emailing info@midwiferycouncil.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.
Additional entry criteria
You must also:
- provide testimony of two referees who can attest to your suitability to train as a midwife. One referee report should be provided by an employer or community group representative and the other must be from someone who can comment on your academic ability. Referees must be people of standing in the community who are not friends or relatives of the applicant. If you have not studied in the last five years a second professional referee may be contacted instead of an academic referee.
- submit your Curriculum Vitae and an essay (essay instructions included in Completing your application section below) demonstrating your commitment to midwifery and any life experience relevant to midwifery and/or women’s health.
- demonstrate self-responsibility in relation to learning and practice and the personal qualities appropriate for midwifery practice such as strong communication skills and a demonstrated interest in women's and children's health.
- provide a current comprehensive or standard First Aid Certificate, including proficiency in CPR (NQF unit standards 6401 and 6402 or equivalent).
- demonstrate that you have good health and good character via a medical report/health declaration, and identity confirmation
- provide a conviction declaration and permission for a Police Check to ensure you meet the requirements of the Children's Act 2014.
- provide a copy of your full driver’s licence.
- have good computer skills.
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.
Don't meet the entry requirements?
Our Health Bridging Certificate acts as a bridging programme into this midwifery qualification.
A minimum B+/75 average pass, achieved across four courses during semester two, is required to meet the academic entry requirements into the Bachelor of Midwifery. This MUST include a B+/75 in Bioscience 2.
The Health Bridging Certificate is also ideal if you need to update specific knowledge and skills, and demonstrate your academic ability. Distance options are available.
Please note: Due to the high demand for places, successful completion of the Health Bridging Certificate (Level 4) will not automatically guarantee you entry into the Bachelor of Midwifery programme.
Covid-19 vaccination information
You don’t need to supply evidence of your Covid-19 vaccination status to apply for this programme. However, most placement providers will require evidence from you that you are fully vaccinated before allowing you to complete a placement at their organisation. Placements are an integral part of this programme and you’ll need to complete these to be able to successfully achieve your qualification.
Other risks and information
The nature of midwifery practice means that, at times, you may be at risk of:
- Physical injuries that may occur as a result of hazards in the classroom, laboratory or practice setting
- Allergic reactions through contact with latex, exposure to drugs or chemicals
- Issues affecting your emotional and physical wellbeing
- Infection or cross-infection through contact with infective agents in the laboratory or practice setting.
Once you have been accepted into the programme, you will be notified that you must produce current evidence of immunisation status. Immunisation status is determined by a blood test and your vaccination history.
How we manage these risks
We will provide health and safety information relating to computer use and to practice equipment, and advise you how to reduce any risk of injury. You will have access to copies of relevant hazards registers and processes for reporting accidents and injuries so our Health and Safety Officers can follow them up.
You are required to undergo screening tests for infectious diseases and immune status prior to the commencement of the programme.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Fees Free
If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get your first year of tuition fees for free.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Scholarship for Māori applicants
The Irihapeti Ramsden Memorial Midwifery Scholarship offers fees subsidies to one Māori midwifery student accepted for this degree each year. Nga Maia facilitates provision of whanau support for the Scholarship recipients during their studies. Applications are submitted to Nga Maia at the start of the academic year and the scholarship is awarded before June of applicants’ first year of study.
Additional costs
There are a number of additional costs for this programme. All the costs quoted are approximate. Please also see the Workload section (Placements information) for additional information about travel and accommodation costs.
|
Items |
Cost |
|---|---|
|
Year one |
|
|
Pinard Stethoscope |
Approximately $7- $20.00 |
|
Sphygmomanometer |
Approximately $80.00 - $90.00 |
|
Stethoscope |
Approximately $90.00 (average quality) |
|
Suturing Set
|
Approximately $50 |
|
Textbooks |
Approximately $900 |
|
Cellphone & WiFi |
|
|
Car and Driver’s Licence |
|
|
Immunisations – DHB requirement |
Up to $300 (depending on provider). |
|
Laptop or Personal Computer |
Computers can be PC or Mac but must be internet ready and have Microsoft Office applications. Laptops MUST HAVE either a built-in microphone or a headset and microphone. |
|
Year two |
|
|
Textbooks |
Approximately $700 |
|
Year three |
|
| National Midwifery Exam fee | Approximately $200 paid directly to the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. |
| Midwifery Council application for registration fee | Approximately $200 paid directly to the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. |
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
Multi-year fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink. Some support may be available for domestic part-time students. Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people. The great news is that this enables us to share skills and knowledge across a network of passionate education providers, to better help you succeed. Enrolling in programmes that start in 2023, means that you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Completing your application
Before you apply, ensure you understand the application process and all the requirements you need to meet.
You can enter information and upload documents directly into the application form. You may wish to prepare some of the required documentation beforehand.
To begin your application, click the Apply button at the top of this page.
You will need to provide:
- Copies of all of your official tertiary transcripts (including those which don't relate to Midwifery).
- Your Curriculum Vitae.
- An essay (1800 to 2200 words), answering the following:
- why you want to be a midwife.
- the qualities you bring to the midwifery profession in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- your life experiences relevant to a career in women's health. (Do not give details of personal birth experiences).
- the role and relevance of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- the demands, as you understand them, of being a midwifery student in our blended programme.
- your plan to manage the social, academic and financial demands of this course.
- A First Aid Certificate which includes CPR (or confirmation of booking).
- a copy of the front and back of your full driver licence (or restricted licence with an explanation of how you will meet demands of the programme until you have a full licence).
- A health declaration.
- A conviction declaration and permission for a Police Check to ensure you meet the requirements of the Children's Act 2014.
- Contact details for two referees - (one academic and one employer - if you have not studied in the last five years, two professional referees can be considered. If you are not currently employed, a referee from community engagement i.e. Playcentre can be considered instead of an employer. Family friends are not a suitable referee).
- Certified copies of proof of identity.
- Proof of residency (where appropriate).
- Evidence of your Covid-19 vaccinations (you need to have had three doses).
Initial selection decisions will be made in late September. Applicants who complete their applications after 20th September can expect to hear our decision in four-six weeks.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
