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.
Start date: 2019
- Download Health Sciences programme brochure [PDF, 5.1 MB]
Minimum entry requirements
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) requirements and Vulnerable Children’s Act (VCA Act) including police clearance
- Applicants with two or more years of secondary and/or tertiary education outside New Zealand must meet IELTS requirements and will be interviewed*
- Must hold a valid driver’s license
- Satisfactory references will be required
Selection criteria
- Preference will be given to applicants with the highest level of academic achievement and/or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field
- Interview may be required
- Applicants will normally require 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, History of Art, Media Studies, Social Studies, Te Reo Māori or Te Reo Rangatira
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 New Zealand Midwifery Council has additional IELTS requirements for registration
There are three semesters per year. This 480-point curriculum will normally be offered full-time over three years (including Summer School).
Year 1
Papers this year cover the scientific underpinnings of midwifery and normal childbirth.
Complete the following papers
- HEAL507 Health and Environment OR MAOH501 Māori Health, Development and Environment
- HEAL504 Lifespan Development and Communication
- HEAL506 Knowledge Enquiry and Communication
- HEAL505 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- HEAL609 Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- HEAL610 Methods of Research & Enquiry
- MIDW501 Professional Frameworks for Midwifery Practice
- MIDW502 Developing Midwifery Practice
- MIDW603 Lactation and Breastfeeding
- MIDW604 Art and Science of Midwifery I
- MIDW609 Midwifery Practice for Normal Birth I
Year 2
You further your understanding of the art, science and practice of midwifery and pharmacology. Papers also explore complications of childbirth, the newborn with special needs, women’s health and factors that impact on midwifery. These skills prepare you for professional practice.
Complete the following papers
- MIDW605 Art and Science of Midwifery II
- MIDW606 Midwifery Practice for Normal Birth II
- MIDW607 Midwifery Practice and the Normal Neonate
- MIDW608 Womens Health Assessment And the Midwife
- MIDW703 Complicated Childbirth
- MIDW704 Midwifery Practice and the Neonate with Complications
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice
- MIDW602 Midwifery Practice for Women with Complications of Childbirth
- MIDW702 Medical Conditions and the Childbirth Continuum
Year 3
You spend 80 percent of your time in practice placements with lead maternity carer midwives (self-employed case loading midwives) in the community and in primary and secondary maternity hospitals.
Complete the following papers
- MIDW702 Prescribing and Legislation for Midwives
- MIDW705 Childbirth Complexities
- MIDW706 Complexity and Diversity in Midwifery Practice
- MIDW707 Integrating Midwifery Practice I
- MIDW708 Integrating Midwifery Practice II
- MIDW709 Transition to Practice
- HEAL607 15-Point Special Topic
- HEAL706 15-Point Special Topic
- MIDW610 Clinical Project
Workplace experience
Throughout your studies you complete 2,400 practice hours, an experience that reflects the real world of midwifery.
Te Ara Hauora Māori papers
If you're interested in a career with a Māori development perspective select the following papers as electives or as an alternative course of study
- MAOH501 Māori Health, Development 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.
25 Feb 2019
- The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
- The tuition fee for a year of full-time study varies depending on your course of study and the combination of papers you study within your qualification. Estimates given are based on paper selection of previous student enrolments within each qualification. Your exact fees will be calculated at the time of invoicing.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.