Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
Develop the skills to provide excellent midwifery care with AUT's Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) degree.
AUT’s midwifery degree prepares you for a successful and rewarding career as a midwife, either as a hospital midwife or a lead maternity carer (a self-employed case loading midwife). Study midwifery at AUT's South Campus in Manukau or via distance learning in Northland and Taranaki (through a live online platform and local classes).
Practical experience is a key part of the midwifery programme. You spend more than half of your time in clinical practice, developing the skills to become a confident and competent midwife. Throughout your studies you complete 2,400 practice hours, an experience that reflects the real world of midwifery.
Applying to study health sciences from 2022
From 2022 all offers of place for undergraduate health science degrees will be made into the Bachelor of Health Science without a major.
Start date: 2022
- Download our Health Sciences programme guide [PDF, 2.6 MB]
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance or equivalent
- 18 credits at level 3 in either Biology or Chemistry, and 16 credits in one subject from Classical Studies, Drama, English, Geography, Health Education, History, Art History, Media Studies, Social Studies, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira, Business Studies, Economics, Physical Education
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Children's Act 2014 including police clearance
- Must hold a valid driver’s license
Applicants with English as a second or other language should have completed at least three years of schooling in New Zealand, or will be required to meet IELTS requirements
International student entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with 6.5 or higher in Reading and Writing, and 7.0 in Listening and Speaking
The Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery) is a four-year (480-point) programme.
Year 1
- HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
- HEAL506 Knowledge Enquiry and Communication
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- MIDW501 Professional Frameworks for Midwifery Practice
- MIDW502 Developing Midwifery Practice
- MIDW604 Art and Science of Midwifery I
Year 2
- MIDW603 Lactation and Breastfeeding
- HEAL610 Methods of Research & Enquiry
- MIDW609 Midwifery Practice for Normal Birth I
- MIDW605 Art and Science of Midwifery II
- MIDW606 Midwifery Practice for Normal Birth II
- MIDW607 Midwifery Practice and the Normal Neonate
- MIDW611 The Neonate
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice
Year 3
- MIDW702 Prescribing and Legislation for Midwives
- MIDW703 Complicated Childbirth
- MIDW602 Midwifery Practice for Women with Complications of Childbirth
- MIDW613 Women’s Health
- MIDW710 Women’s Health Practice
- MIDW705 Childbirth Complexities
- MIDW711 Practice Project
Year 4
- MIDW706 Complexity and Diversity in Midwifery Practice
- MIDW707 Integrating Midwifery Practice I
- MIDW708 Integrating Midwifery Practice II
- MIDW709 Transition to Practice
Workplace experience
Throughout your studies you complete 2,400 practice hours, an experience that reflects the real world of midwifery.
Te Ara Hauora Māori courses
If you're interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following courses as electives or as an alternative course of study
- MAOH501 Hauora Māori and Environment (instead of HEAL507 Health and Environment)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion
- MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health
- HEAL710 Utilising Supervision in Practice
We will help you form relationships with Māori health providers, industry stakeholders and communities, and AUT Māori staff and students.
Job opportunities for midwives are good, especially in the Auckland region.
Midwives work in the areas of pregnancy and childbirth, including the first six weeks after childbirth. They are employed
in public hospital services, or set up in practice as a self-employed midwife in the community. Throughout your studies you complete 2,400 practice hours, an experience that reflects the real world of midwifery.
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other undergraduate study options
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Oral Health
- Paramedicine
- Perioperative Practice
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Psychology
- Public and Environmental Health
- Individual pathway (study the Bachelor of Health Science without a major)
Postgraduate study options
Distance learning (Taranaki, Northland)
$6,786 - $6,970
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
- Check if you're eligible for fees-free study
$38,210
- This represents the approximate tuition fee range based on a full-time workload of 120 points in 2021. The exact fees will depend on courses selected and may exceed this range.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for beyond 2021, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay. Learn more about fees to study at AUT
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.