Midwife Training

The training involved to become a midwife can potentially take up to 5 years and therefore is considered by many as one of the toughest courses among healthcare subjects.

There are several routes to go, but the most common way to become a fully trained midwife is to undertake a 32 month vocational course followed sometimes by an 18 month nurse convention course. The teaching for the vocational course is part classroom based and part work placement based – in conjunction with local hospitals.

It is also possible to train part-time to become a midwife. This way you can fit your training in around your other work and family commitments. Most universities that offer full time midwifery courses also have part-time pre registration courses. These courses last for a period of about five to six years and are open to people who work in the NHS with qualifications up to NVQ level 3. As a part time student you would be employed by the NHS making it easier to get the necessary time off to complete the course.

Who can undertake midwife training?

There are several ways to get a place on a midwifery training course. You can enter if you have the relevant qualifications such as good A-Level results or you may already be working already as a healthcare assistant or similar and can pass the relevant universities academic tests. Alternatively if you are already a qualified nurse you may opt for a fast tracked pre-registration course which lasts for only 18 months.

Training for a career as a midwife you will benefit from plenty of flexibility and support which the NHS offers in abundance throughout your entire career.