What you need before you explore to midwifery school

Most midwifery courses in the UK require you to have GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above (the equivalent of a C under the old system). Some universities ask for science GCSEs too, though not all. If you don't have these qualifications yet, you can take them as an adult through local colleges or distance learning providers — this won't disqualify you, but you'll need them before you start the course itself.

You'll also need to pass a background check (a Disclosure and Barring Service check, or DBS) because you'll be working with vulnerable people. This happens after you've been offered a place, not before you explore. The check costs around £13 to £17 and your university will tell you how to arrange it once you're accepted.

Most universities don't require you to have A-levels or a degree already, though some prefer applicants with some higher education behind them. If you're coming straight from school or returning after years away, you can still get in — the course itself is designed to teach you midwifery from the ground up.

Key Takeaways

  • You need GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4 or above; science is sometimes required but varies by university.
  • Midwifery courses are three years full-time and combine university study with placements in hospitals and community settings.
  • You explore through UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) between September and January, the same way you'd explore to any university course.
  • Universities interview candidates and often ask about your motivation for midwifery and your understanding of what the job involves.
  • You don't need previous healthcare experience, but many successful applicants have worked as healthcare assistants or in similar roles.

How to find and compare midwifery courses

Midwifery courses run at universities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The easiest way to find them is through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service), where you can search by location, entry requirements, and course structure. You can also visit individual university websites directly — search "[university name] midwifery" to find their course page.

When you're comparing courses, check whether they're three-year full-time programmes or whether the university offers part-time or degree apprenticeship routes. Some universities run courses that combine classroom time with paid work placements, which means you earn while you study. Others are traditional university courses with unpaid clinical placements. Both lead to the same qualification, so the choice depends on your circumstances.

Look at where the placements happen too. Most courses are based in one city but send students to hospitals and community settings across a wider region. If you have caring responsibilities or can't move, check that placements are within reach of where you live.

The UCAS process process and what universities ask for

You explore through UCAS between mid-September and mid-January each year. You can list up to five universities on one process form. Each university charges a small fee (currently around £19.50 for one course, or £27 for multiple courses), and UCAS takes the payment once.

On your UCAS form, you'll write a personal statement — a 47-line section where you explain why you want to study midwifery, what you understand about the role, and what relevant experience you have. This is where you show the university that you've thought seriously about the job. Mention any work experience in healthcare, any time you've spent around pregnant women or newborns, or any volunteer work that shows you're committed to helping others. If you haven't got formal healthcare experience, talk about what drew you to midwifery and what you've done to explore it.

You'll also need to provide the contact details of someone who can write you a reference — usually a teacher, employer, or supervisor who knows your work. They write directly to UCAS and you don't see what they say. If you're returning to education after a long break, a recent employer or volunteer coordinator works just as well as a teacher.

What happens after you submit your process

Universities usually respond to applications between February and May. Some will invite you to an interview; others will make a decision based on your form alone. If you're invited to interview, it typically happens in person at the university, though some now offer video interviews.

In an interview, expect questions about why you want to be a midwife, what you understand about the role, and how you'd handle difficult situations. Universities also ask about your experience with people, your teamwork skills, and your ability to cope with stress. They're not looking for perfect answers — they're checking that you've thought about what the job involves and that you're genuinely interested rather than just explore because it sounds nice.

After interview, universities make offers. An offer is usually unconditional (you're in) or conditional (you're in if you achieve certain grades or pass your DBS check). If you get multiple offers, you choose one as your firm choice and one as your insurance choice. Your firm choice is where you'll go if you meet the conditions; your insurance choice is a backup if you don't.

Preparing for your interview

Before your interview, read recent news about maternity services and midwifery — the BBC, The Guardian, and nursing and midwifery publications all cover stories about NHS maternity care, staffing, and changes to how services work. You don't need to be an informed, but showing you've paid attention to what's happening in the profession makes a real difference.

Think through your own experience. Have you been present at a birth, or spent time with newborns? Have you worked in healthcare in any capacity? Have you looked after someone who was unwell or vulnerable? Write down specific examples and the skills you learned from them. Universities want to hear concrete stories, not vague statements about wanting to help people.

Practice talking about why midwifery matters to you personally. What is it about supporting women through pregnancy and birth that appeals to you? What do you think the hardest parts of the job might be, and how would you handle them? Having thought through these questions before you walk in makes you sound confident and genuine.

Alternative routes if you don't meet standard entry requirements

If you don't have GCSEs in English and maths at grade 4, you can take them as an adult. Local colleges run GCSE courses, usually in the evenings or during the day, and you can also study through distance learning providers. Once you've passed, you can explore to midwifery courses in the next process cycle.

Some universities run access to higher education courses (sometimes called access courses or bridging programmes) specifically for people who don't have traditional qualifications. These are one-year courses that teach you the academic skills you'll need for university, plus some science content. If you complete an access course, you can then explore to midwifery programmes. Search "[your region] access to higher education" to find courses near you.

A few universities also offer degree apprenticeships in midwifery. These are different from traditional courses — you're employed by an NHS trust and study part-time while you work. Entry requirements are sometimes slightly different, and you earn a wage while you train. If you need to earn money while you study, this route is worth exploring.

What happens once you're accepted

Once you've accepted an offer and passed your DBS check, the university will send you information about starting the course. You'll usually start in September. Before that, you may be asked to attend an induction day, complete some online learning modules, or provide proof of vaccinations (midwifery students need to be vaccinated against certain diseases to work in hospitals).

The course itself combines university-based teaching with clinical placements in hospitals, birth centres, and community settings. You'll learn anatomy, physiology, and the science of pregnancy and birth in lectures and seminars. You'll also spend time on placement with may have access to midwives, learning how to care for pregnant women, support them through labour, and look after newborns. The balance between classroom and placement varies, but expect roughly half your time in each.

Throughout the course, you'll be assessed through exams, essays, practical skills tests, and your performance on placement. You need to pass all of these to graduate. At the end, you'll register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and be able to work as a may have access to midwife in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need healthcare experience to get into midwifery school?

No, but it helps. Many successful applicants have worked as healthcare assistants, nursing assistants, or in care roles, because it shows you understand what healthcare work involves. If you haven't got formal experience, talk about any time you've spent supporting others — caring for family members, volunteering, or working in roles where you've helped people.

What if I have GCSEs but they're old — do I need to retake them?

No. GCSEs don't expire. If you passed English and maths at grade 4 or above, even 20 years ago, that's fine. You don't need to retake them unless the university specifically asks you to.

Can I explore to midwifery if I've already got a degree in something else?

Yes. Universities accept applicants with degrees in any subject. Having a degree doesn't give you an advantage in the process process, but it doesn't count against you either. You'll still need to meet the GCSE requirements and go through the same interview process.

How much does a midwifery course cost?

If you're a UK or EU citizen, tuition fees are covered by student finance. You'll need to take out a student loan to cover fees and living costs, which you repay only once you're earning above a certain threshold. If you're an international student, fees vary by university but are typically £15,000 to £25,000 per year.

What if I don't get in on my first process?

You can explore again the following year. Many people get in on their second or third attempt. If you're rejected, ask the university for feedback on your process — they'll tell you what you could strengthen. You might improve your personal statement, gain more relevant experience, or retake your interview preparation before explore again.