Becoming a midwife
How to become a midwife and find a course in the UK
All midwives working in the UK must be registered with us. Before registration, they must have successfully completed a midwifery programme of education that is approved by us. They must also meet our requirements of good health and good character.
Watch our introduction to midwifery regulation for students
Education and training
In the UK midwifery education and training programmes are run only at our approved educational institutions (AEIs). Courses usually take a minimum of three years, although a registered level 1 (adult) nurse can undertake a reduced training course of 18 months, for dual registration with us.
Midwifery training takes place at an NMC-approved educational institutions, with half of the programme based in clinical practice with direct contact with women, their babies and families. This can include the home, community and hospitals, and in other maternity services such as midwife-led units and birth centres.
Methods
During the programme, students learn to provide safe, evidence-based and individualised care throughout labour and birth. They develop the knowledge and skills to support physiological processes, recognise when additional care or intervention may be needed, and appropriately escalate concerns when complications arise for women or babies. Students learn to initiate emergency measures when required and work effectively with other health and care professionals.
Midwives have an important role in supporting health, wellbeing and informed decision-making. Students learn to communicate effectively with women and their families, provide balanced and unbiased information, and support each woman to make informed choices about her care based on her individual circumstances, needs and preferences.
Where to find training programmes
Further details about the training programmes and the work midwives do can be obtained from NHS Careers.
For a list of institutions approved by us to provide pre-registration midwifery programmes please search our approved programmes.
Student applications are processed by the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS).
