Bachelor of Midwifery

On successful completion of the program students will have:

• sound knowledge of and practice within legislation and common law in accordance with the endorsed code of ethics and professional standards for midwifery
• the ability and skills to analyse and reflect in, on and about practice
• the capability to practise within a woman-centred, primary healthcare framework and be committed to seeing midwifery as a public health strategy
• the ability to provide safe and effective midwifery care within any practice context

Admission requirements

English Language Requirements

If you wish to apply for credit for studies completed at another institution, or if you are changing programs within the University and wish to transfer your credit to the new program, visit the University's credit website for more information on applying for credit.

The Recognition of Prior Learning practice for the Bachelor of Midwifery will be in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

The Bachelor of Midwifery is offered with both full-time and part-time pathways. 

Students should be aware that they may be required to undertake midwifery professional experience placement (MPEP) and/or classes outside normal semester dates.

Bachelor of Midwifery students undertake on-campus studies at the campus/study location stated in their University of Newcastle offer email and students are required to undertake their professional experience placement at one hospital location for the entire duration of their degree (except in the instance of a short term voluntary rural/metropolitan/international exchange). 

Bachelor of Midwifery (Hunter and Mid-North Coast Placement)

You will undertake your on-campus studies at the Callaghan Campus (Newcastle), and your midwifery professional placement will be at one of the following hospitals for your entire duration of your degree (except in the instance of a short term voluntary rural/metropolitan/international exchange).

• John Hunter Hospital
• Maitland Hospital
• Muswellbrook Hospital
• Newcastle Private Hospital
• Singleton District Hospital
• Scott Memorial Hospital, Scone
• Manning Base Hospital, Taree
• Port Macquarie Base Hospital
• Kempsey District Hospital

Bachelor of Midwifery (Central Coast Placement)

You will undertake your on-campus studies at the Central Coast Clinical School (Gosford), and your midwifery professional placement will be at one of the following hospitals for your entire duration of your degree (except in the instance of a short term voluntary rural/metropolitan/international exchange).

• Gosford Public Hospital
• Gosford Private Hospital

Midwifery education and midwifery professional practice require students to be committed to study and professional experience practice that can be mentally and physically demanding. Students will engage in simulated practice in specially designed simulation laboratories and will conduct emotional, social and physical examinations of childbearing women on midwifery placement under the supervision of a midwife/obstetrician. Students engage in peer learning on campus and virtually.

Students will complete a minimum of 1104 hours of midwifery professional experience placement that includes:

• Midwifery Professional Experience Placement in an allocated hospital with hands-on experience during the antenatal period, labour and birthing, and the postnatal period.
• Continuity of Care Experiences (CCE) where students develop relationships with childbearing women - a minimum of 10 relationship-based experiences as the on-call clinician for expectant mothers (minimum 200 hours).

Further hours may be required in order to complete minimum requirements for registration and may be completed as rostered hours or continuity of care experiences.

Post-admission requirements

Compulsory program requirements - Review of progress

Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (under AHPRA)

Students who commenced in the Bachelor of Midwifery (12200) prior to 2022, and now wish to transition to the Bachelor of Midwifery (40297) program, should review the Transition Arrangements document and consult their program plan to confirm their course pathway. Any further questions should be directed to the Program Convenor or Program Advisor.

Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) is available as an additional one-year full-time program or equivalent part-time. Candidates for Honours are selected on the basis of academic achievement.

Through the Pathways and Academic Learning Support Centre, students can access a free suite of NUPrep preparation courses as well as Academic Learning Support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

During clinical placement students will be required to wear properly fitted respirators. Fit testing is the process to ensure the respirator fits the wearers face snugly, creating a seal to minimise airbourne particles travelling through gaps between the wearer's skin and the respirator. Students will need to arrange and pay for their own fit testing before attending their first placement and every subsequent 12 months. 

AccessAbility provides advice and reasonable adjustments to Students with a medical or health condition or disability. If you require adjustments to undertake your program, contact the Student Support Advisors - AccessAbility before semester or early in the semester. They will work with the College or School to ensure that this happens in a timely manner.

Please note: All students must fulfil the inherent requirements of the programs and courses they are undertaking. While reasonable adjustments can be made, these adjustments cannot compromise academic integrity. It is the student's responsibility to check all the requirements of courses, and consider the effects of any medical condition or disability on their ability to complete course requirements. More information is available online.

Students who have impaired function in their hands or arms, or an audio/visual impairment will have difficulty pursuing this program. It is highly advisable for any prospective student with such a disability to contact the College to discuss the issue.