For Midwifery Students

The document below includes information about the legal requirements for Entry to the Register of Midwives, English language requirements, the time limit to complete the Bachelor of Midwifery programme and the Council's attitude to prior convictions, as well as other information relevant to undertaking the Midwifery undergraduate programme.

information for students

 For full details on midwifery pre-registration standards click here

Length of Degree programme

• The pre-registration midwifery programme is intended to be a three year full time programme, three trimesters, 45 weeks per year.  There is a time limit of four years for all midwifery schools.
• If you need to take more than four years to complete your programme, you must first seek the Midwifery Council's consent. To do this you must make a written submission to the Midwifery Advisor ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). Your submission must include: a letter outlining the reason for this request and your academic transcript. In addition a letter from your Head of School is required which should include the process for assessing how you have retained your knowledge and skills and also provide the proposed plan of study.

The Council acknowledges that unforeseen circumstances can and do arise but strongly encourages students to focus on studying full-time and completing their programme in three years.

Midwifery First Year of Practice Programme (MFYP) for New Zealand Registered Midwifery Graduates

The New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) offers a Midwifery First Year of Practice Progamme  available to New Zealand Registered Midwifery Graduates, more information can be found on the NZCOM website.