Bachelor of Midwifery
Allied Health
A course by
Otago Polytechnic
Internationally renowned qualification preparing graduates for registration and practice as a midwife in Aotearoa New Zealand through a blend of practical, online and block course learning.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
Available in 6 locations
It will take a total of 4 years
Core skills this course teaches
Registration as a New Zealand midwife
Graduates are eligible for registration with Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu (Midwifery Council of New Zealand) upon successful completion.
Autonomous professional practice
Ability to work autonomously as a culturally competent, sustainable and reflective midwife, encompassing care for women/pregnant people and whānau.
Competency in clinical midwifery skills
Confident provision of care through clinical placements, simulations, and intensive practical experience, covering normal and complex pregnancy, birth, and postnatal situations.
What You're Signing Up For
The Bachelor of Midwifery at Otago Polytechnic develops graduates to be autonomous, culturally competent practitioners ready for registration with Te Tatau o te Whare Kahu (Midwifery Council). Students learn through a blend of online modules, face-to-face tutorials (hui ākonga), practical placements and compulsory block courses, with multiple campus and satellite site options across both the North and South Islands. The programme meets Midwifery Council competencies. Graduates are equipped to provide midwifery care that is responsive to the needs of whānau and communities, uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and operate sustainably within health systems. Completion leads to diverse roles as community and facility-based midwives, educators, researchers or advisers in midwifery.
Course Content
- Blended learning (online, in-person tutorials, practical experience, block courses)
- Face-to-face hui ākonga (tutorials) in small groups (Years 1–3), Year 4 online
- Clinical practice placements: increasing clinical hours each year (Year 1: 300, Year 2: 470, Year 3: 670, Year 4: 960)
- Simulation and skill acquisition in Year 1
- Wānanga: intensive block courses in Dunedin and Wellington
- Evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning and decision making
- Legal and ethical frameworks for midwifery practice
- Preparation for emergencies in maternity and newborn care
- Critical reflection and professional communication
- Autonomous midwifery practice and Te Tiriti o Waitangi
What you need to know first
What sort of industry will this job lead to
Allied Health
Maternity Care
Women’s Health
Future employment opportunities might be
Registered midwife (community-based/Lead Maternity Carer or in maternity facilities)
Education and research roles in midwifery
Adviser to professional, regulatory, or governmental bodies
Otago Polytechnic is known for high quality, hands on learning that leads to strong outcomes. With excellent student satisfaction, high graduate employment rates, and a commitment to sustainability, it’s a place where practical skills meet purpose. Their award winning programmes span design, fashion, creative arts, trades, health, and business, giving you real experience and real confidence for whatever comes next.