A Midwife is a trained healthcare professional who is responsible for providing support and care to expectant mothers and their families during pregnancy. They have a range of responsibilities, from providing antenatal care to supporting the birthing process. Many choose to embark on this career as it’s a rewarding role that plays a significant part in bringing new life into the world. If this is a career you believe you could thrive at, then keep reading to discover how to become a Midwife.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Midwife?
To become a Midwife, you need to learn a range of techniques, skills and specialist knowledge related to the midwifery role. This is ultimately delivered and assessed through an approved and regulated combination of academic study and practical learning at degree level. Midwifery degree programmes must be approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
A midwifery course covers a range of topics as you will be involved in every stage of an expectant mother’s pregnancy and labour. You will also be providing advice and support during the early stages of the baby’s life, so it is imperative you have this knowledge when thinking about how to become a Midwife.
An accredited Midwife course will cover everything you need to know to about how to become a Midwife. Before embarking on your study, you should be aware of the skills and traits needed to make a good midwife. Generally, you will be the first point of contact for an expectant parent during the pregnancy, giving advice and emotional support.
Through evidence-based information, Midwives are able to provide mothers-to-be with the guidance they need and answer any pressing questions. A variety of skills will be required to provide full antenatal care, including screening, parental classes, and clinical examinations. As an expert Midwife, you will also be responsible for monitoring and supporting mothers during labour, and you will need to identify any high-risk pregnancies.
Your midwifery support will be needed throughout labour and also once the baby is born, as you will have to teach new mums how to feed and care for their baby. A Midwife requires a combination of academic knowledge and a compassionate approach to succeed in this role. So, if you are passionate about caring for mothers, babies, and families, you should start thinking about how to become a Midwife.
It is important to note that there are various degree-level programmes that you can take to achieve a qualification in midwifery. These include full-time midwifery undergraduate courses or a midwifery degree apprenticeship.
Midwife Degree Entry Requirements
There are entry requirements you have to meet if you want to study a degree-level midwifery course. You will likely need three A-Levels or equivalent qualifications, such as an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery). To support these qualifications, you will likely require around 5 GCSEs at grade 9-4 or C and above.
Specific midwifery entry requirements are dependent on the university, but one of the most effective ways of progressing to degree-level study is by undertaking the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery). This online nationally recognised course is approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and provided by learndirect.
As the UK’s largest online learning provider, learndirect has helped more than 4 million students obtain the qualifications they need to change their careers or progress in their fields. If you want to know how to become a Midwife and don’t have the A Levels required for midwifery degrees, you can achieve the equivalent qualification by taking the Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery) course.
By achieving this, you will have a strong foundational knowledge when you apply for a midwifery university course. With the skills, techniques and knowledge acquired, you are likely to be a desirable candidate for universities.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Midwife?
The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) can be completed at your pace and in your own time. Providing you complete the course within two years, you will have the foundation qualification you need to apply for a midwifery uni course. Those studying with learndirect complete the course, on average, between 9-12 months.
Once you have achieved your diploma and secured a place at university, the next step in your journey will be to complete an approved midwifery degree. Generally, it takes three years to finish an approved full-time midwifery degree.
If you are already working in a role that is relevant to midwifery, you could potentially study the degree part-time, which will extend your study time to five or six years.
While the common route to midwifery is a full-time degree, you could also consider a degree apprenticeship, which includes a combination of study and experience working in a relevant role.
Can I do a Midwifery Course Online?
One of the great things about studying with learndirect is that the entire Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) course is 100% online. This means that all your midwifery course materials are accessible whenever you need them. Many people get put off further study when the course requires you to be in classrooms every day, but learndirect has eliminated the need for onsite learning. So, if you’re wondering how to become a Midwife without taking A Levels, then this is your answer!
You can tailor the learning process around your daily schedule, using our Individual Learning Plan to help you stay on track with your studies. So, if you have children or work full-time, you can still achieve an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) – a key part of your journey in discovering how to become a Midwife. The midwifery course assessments consist of end-of-unit assignments, and it is up to you when they are completed.
As long as the midwifery course is completed within two years of you starting the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery), you can tailor the course to your learning style. In fact, some of the many benefits of online learning include:
- Flexibility – study around your day-to-day commitments
- Learn at your own pace
- More affordable
- 24/7 access to course materials
How Much Does a Midwifery Course Cost?
At degree level, universities set the pricing of midwifery courses. According to UCAS, undergraduate midwifery courses at most UK universities were set at £9,250 for the 2021/22 academic year.
If you are looking for a stepping stone to a midwifery university course and want to know how to become a Midwife without A Levels, then the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) should be your first point of call. With flexible payment options offered, you could enrol on the course at an affordable rate.
Take Your First Steps to Becoming a Midwife
If you have a compassionate nature and would love to embark on a professional career as a Midwife, then you should start your academic journey today. So if you’re wondering how to become a Midwife, you need to obtain a degree-level qualification in midwifery that is approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
Now that you have all the information you need about how to become a Midwife, then it’s time to take your first step towards the career you want. Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) is an effective way to lead you towards degree-level study if you don’t have the A Levels needed to meet entry requirements.
You can find out more information about this learndirect course and how to become a Midwife by speaking to one of our Course Executives on 01202 006 464. Alternatively, you can enrol today by sending your query via our contact page
FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Become a Qualified Midwife?
After you have completed your Access to HE Diploma (Midwifery), you will be one step closer to becoming a Midwife. To be fully qualified, you will need to complete a midwifery degree, which usually takes three years if studied full-time. If you opt to do the degree part-time, it could last five or six years.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Midwife?
When looking into how to become a Midwife, one of the main factors is the qualifications required. You will need a midwifery degree approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to work as a Midwife. To get to university to study the degree, you’ll need a range of qualifications, including GCSEs and three A Levels.
However, if you don’t have A Levels, then you can study our Access to Higher Education Diploma (Midwifery) instead, as it is the equivalent of 3 A Levels. Please note that universities set their own entry requirements, so check your chosen establishment’s criteria before applying.
Can I Be a Midwife Without Going to Uni?
This is a common question when people start wondering how to become a Midwife. You need to have a midwifery degree to work as a Midwife in the UK, but some employers offer degree apprenticeships, which involve working alongside your studies. To work professionally as a Midwife, you will need to embark on degree-level study. This is a key element to remember when looking into how to become a Midwife, UK residents!
