About the course

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.

Online webinar series

Join one of our online webinars and learn about the Bachelor of Midwifery, what midwives do, how the degree works, and how to apply. Register for the webinars

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.

Fill in the form to stay in touch and receive updates about the Bachelor of Midwifery, key dates, and information about what to expect from this qualification.

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.

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Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

University Entrance or alternative admission type, and to meet the entry standards of the Midwifery Council of New Zealand.

International entry requirements

Achieve the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or three GCE Advanced Level passes at C grade, or equivalent.

English language requirements

You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.

About the provider

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.

The University’s central location gives students access to a variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Victoria University of Wellington at a glance

Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
170+ subjects
20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
130+ clubs and societies
5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
#1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Graduate outcomes*

Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
67% were in full-time employment.

*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:

a good command of the English language
a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.

If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:

English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree

Student support

The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.

Some of the support services include:

dedicated international student orientation and events
a free arrival meeting service at the airport
the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go

Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular programmes such as the Kitea Impact Programme, which is also free to join.