Applying to be a student midwife

Contents

Taking your first steps towards a midwifery career

Understanding the midwifery role

Essential resources for understanding midwifery

Student midwifery entry requirements and course selection

Strengthening your student midwife application

Financial guidance and support for student midwives

Professional standards and registration for midwives

Ready to start your journey?

Taking your first steps towards a midwifery career

Becoming a midwife is a rewarding career choice that allows you to support women and families through pregnancy, birth and beyond. If you're passionate about women's health, enjoy building relationships with people, and want to make a real difference during one of the most important experiences in people's lives, midwifery could be the perfect career for you.

This guide and our Health Careers midwifery webpage will help you understand what's involved in applying for midwifery education and how to strengthen your application.

Understanding the midwifery role

Before applying, it's important to fully understand what midwives do and the environments they work in.

What do midwives do?

Midwives provide care and support to women throughout pregnancy, during labour and birth, and in the weeks following birth. You'll work with women and their families to ensure safe, personalised care.

Where do midwives work?

Midwives practise in hospitals, birth centres, community clinics, and women's homes. You'll be part of multi-disciplinary teams working alongside doctors, health visitors, and other healthcare professionals.

The rewards and challenges

Midwifery offers the privilege of being present at births and supporting families during significant life events, but it also involves shift work, emotional challenges, and responsibility for safety-critical decisions.

Essential resources for understanding midwifery

Health Careers midwife – comprehensive information about midwifery careers, working conditions, and career progression.

National careers service midwife – overview of midwifery roles, salary expectations, and career development opportunities.

Royal College of Midwives how to become a midwife – professional guidance on midwifery education and career pathways.

Student midwifery entry requirements and course selection

Midwifery programmes have specific entry requirements that vary between education providers, but all require high academic standards and demonstrate your commitment to caring for others.

Typical entry requirements

Academic qualifications – most education providers require A-levels or equivalent qualifications such as T-Levels and BTECs, often including biology, psychology, or other science subjects. Access to Higher Education courses provide an alternative route for those without traditional academic qualifications. Check specific requirements for each course.

GCSE requirements – english and mathematics at grade C/4 or above are typically essential, with some universities require additional subjects.

Support with qualifications

Functional skills training and examination is free for any learner who doesn't hold maths and/or English GCSE at grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent such as level 2 functional skills). The Government website has information about ways to improve English, maths and IT skills, and there's a NHS England Functional Skills Toolkit which provides further guidance and resources.

English language requirements

If you're from a non-English speaking country, you'll also need to have successfully completed a recognised English language test.

Healthcare and volunteering experience – Voluntary or paid experience in healthcare settings or working with women and children strengthens your application significantly.

Personal qualities – universities look for evidence of compassion, communication skills, resilience, and commitment to woman-centred care.

Choosing your midwifery course

UCAS midwifery course search – search and compare midwifery programmes across the UK, including entry requirements and course content.

UCAS – Chat to students about midwifery – connect with current midwifery students to learn about their experiences and get insider advice.

From pregnancy to parenthood: A Midwife's Role – detailed exploration of midwifery practice and what to expect from training.

Getting practical experience

UCAS midwifery subject guide – comprehensive guide to studying midwifery at university level.

UCAS open days and events for midwifery – find university open days and information events specifically for midwifery programmes.

Strengthening your student midwife application

Gaining relevant experience

Healthcare experience – volunteer in hospitals, care homes, or community health settings to understand healthcare environments and develop caring skills.

Work with women and children – consider volunteering with pregnancy support charities, children's organisations, or women's groups to demonstrate your commitment to supporting families.

Customer service roles – jobs involving communication, empathy, and working under pressure show transferable skills valuable in midwifery.

Life experiences – personal experiences of healthcare, caring for family members, or supporting others through difficult times can strengthen your motivation for midwifery.

Preparing your personal statement

UCAS personal statement toolkit – step-by-step guidance on writing compelling personal statements for applications.

Your personal statement should include:

• your motivation for choosing midwifery
• relevant experience and what you learned from it
• understanding of the challenges and rewards of the midwifery profession
• personal qualities that make you suitable for the profession
• career goals and commitment to lifelong learning

Understanding the application process

UCAS application – all midwifery programmes use the standard UCAS application process, with specific deadlines and requirements.

Interview preparation – most higher education providers interview midwifery applicants, often including practical scenarios and questions about motivation and values.

Health and character declarations – successful applicants must complete health and character declarations in line with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards. These declarations ensure you meet the professional standards required to practice as a midwife and include declaring any health conditions, criminal convictions, or other circumstances that might affect your fitness to practice.

Enhanced DBS checks and references – you’ll need to pass enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks, occupation health checks and require satisfactory references before you can start your midwifery programme. This process protects vulnerable people and ensures all student midwives meet the safety standards required for clinical practice.

Academic preparation – consider taking relevant A-level subjects or access courses if you don't meet entry requirements.

Financial guidance and support for student midwives

Understanding the financial support available for midwifery training is crucial for planning your education and future career.

Apprenticeship route

If you're applying for a midwifery apprenticeship, your tuition fees will be paid for, and you'll receive a salary while you train. Typically, in the NHS, midwifery apprentices are paid at band 2 or 3 on the NHS agenda for change pay scale, which provides financial support throughout your training period.

Government financial support

Student finance – you can find comprehensive information about student finance on the Government website. This covers tuition fee loans, maintenance loans, and grants available to eligible students.

Enhanced support from September 2023 – the government has increased financial support to make healthcare studies more affordable. Key changes include:

• travel and accommodation support for healthcare students raised by 50 percent
• raising of the means-testing threshold for the NHS Bursary Scheme

Student finance explained: NHS Employers Infographic – an overview of student finance available to those studying undergraduate healthcare degrees.

Practical money management

RCN (Royal College of Nursing) student money guide - although developed for student nurses, this useful and interactive, student-friendly guide includes information about budgeting, saving and general money advice specifically for healthcare students, including midwives.

NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF)

Training grant

You may be eligible to apply for a training grant through the NHS LSF which is managed by NHS Business Services Authority. You can find more information on the NHS Business Services Authority website.

Annual application

You have to apply for this at the start of each academic year.

Additional support

Through the LSF you can also find information about support if you are a parent, for travel expenses or if you are eligible for disabled student allowances.

Financial planning for midwifery students

Living costs

Consider accommodation, travel, and living expenses during your three-year programme, including costs for clinical placements across different locations.

Professional expenses

Factor in costs for uniforms, equipment, professional registration, and membership of professional bodies like the Royal College of Midwives.

Placement-related costs

Budget for additional travel and accommodation costs when attending clinical placements that may be far from your university base.

Work during studies

While some part-time work is possible, midwifery programmes are intensive with significant clinical placement hours, so prepare for this and plan your finances accordingly.

Professional standards and registration for midwives

Understanding professional requirements

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC): Becoming a midwife – visit the NMC website for official information from the about midwifery education standards and registration requirements.

Professional standards – all midwifery programmes must meet NMC standards, ensuring graduates are competent to practice safely and effectively.

Ongoing requirements – registered midwives must complete continuing professional development and revalidate their registration every three years.

Preparing for professional practice

Professional behaviour – universities expect high standards of professional conduct from the start of your programme, including clinical placements and academic work.

Fitness to practice – students must maintain good health and character throughout their training to be eligible for professional registration.

Ready to start your journey?

Once you've successfully applied and been accepted onto a midwifery programme, you'll begin an exciting journey that combines academic learning with hands-on clinical experience. Your programme will prepare you to join the midwifery profession and make a real difference to women and families during pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Studying and placement support – access comprehensive resources, study aids, and support designed specifically for healthcare students throughout their training programme.

Choosing midwifery as a career is choosing to be part of one of life's most significant experiences.

Your dedication to supporting women and families through pregnancy, birth and beyond makes you a valuable future addition to the midwifery profession.