Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery Practice
If you're a registered midwife and want to extend your expertise, this programme is for you. The online learning option allows you to study from home and participate in online discussions. This programme also takes you one step closer to more advanced midwifery qualifications.
Domestic
April
July
September
About the programme
Already a registered midwife and looking for a way to extend your professional expertise?
This postgraduate programme is ideal as it is flexible, practice-focused and relevant. You'll do four courses that focus on aspects of midwifery practice and critically analyse your own midwifery experiences as a means of adding depth to your knowledge base. Tailored to meet your individual needs, our online learning option enables you to study from home. Benefit from the support of experienced lecturers while gaining new skills.
A perfect springboard into further study, the Postgraduate Certificate allows you to start slowly and increase your qualifications as you go. Each programme contributes to the next so that four papers successfully completed in the Certificate mean you only need two or four more to achieve the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery. Online learning resources may include PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, Word documents, interactive web pages and links to relevant electronic documents or websites.
International
April
July
September
About the programme
Already a registered midwife and looking for a way to extend your professional expertise?
This postgraduate programme is ideal as it is flexible, practice-focused and relevant. You'll do four courses that focus on aspects of midwifery practice and critically analyse your own midwifery experiences as a means of adding depth to your knowledge base. Tailored to meet your individual needs, our online learning option enables you to study from home. Benefit from the support of experienced lecturers while gaining new skills.
A perfect springboard into further study, the Postgraduate Certificate allows you to start slowly and increase your qualifications as you go. Each programme contributes to the next so that four papers successfully completed in the Certificate mean you only need two or four more to achieve the Postgraduate Diploma in Midwifery. Online learning resources may include PowerPoint presentations, worksheets, Word documents, interactive web pages and links to relevant electronic documents or websites.
What You Study
Course dates
Learning packages will be displayed on our online learning management system (Moodle), and will include tutorials, quizzes, completion of worksheets, and the use of a forum for discussion and presentations.
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2025 dates |
Course options |
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10 February - 11 April |
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28 April - 27 June |
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14 July - 12 September |
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6 October - 5 December |
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A course summary document is available here.
If you are a returning student, please contact ebsMID@op.ac.nz for a course selection form. If you're a new student, please apply online.
Interested in becoming a midwifery educator?
We offer an Educator pathway to the Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery Practice.
Further study options
If you have completed your Postgraduate Certificate, or Complex Care pathway, please contact Suzanne Miller (suzanne.miller@op.ac.nz) to plan your ongoing study.
If you have completed the pre-thesis Diploma courses (Pathway to Thesis: Midwifery Knowledge, and Pathway to Thesis: Midwifery Research Methodologies), please contact Suzanne Miller (suzanne.miller@op.ac.nz) for advice on enrolling in the Master of Midwifery.
Midwifery organisations
- The New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) is the professional organisation and recognised 'voice' for midwives and student midwives in New Zealand. It represents more than 2800 members: NZ College of Midwives.
- Ngā Maia o Aotearoa me to Wai Pounamu (Ngā Maia) is the national organisation representing Māori birthing. The kaupapa of Ngā Maia focuses on Māmā, Pēpi and Whānau and promoting Matauranga Māori in pregnancy and childbirth: Ngā Maia.
- The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) supports, represents and works to strengthen professional associations of midwives on a global basis. At present ICM have more than 90 member associations in more than 70 countries. The ICM works with midwives and midwifery associations globally to secure women's right and access to midwifery care before, during and after childbirth: International Confederation of Midwives.
- The Midwifery Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) is the regulatory body for New Zealand midwives. It is responsible for the health and safety of women and babies during the childbirth process by providing mechanisms to ensure that midwives are competent and fit to practise midwifery: Midwifery Council NZ.
Workload
Your workload
Each course requires working through online resources and participating in online discussions. There will be additional reading and preparation of assessments. Individual pathways and hours will vary but each 'credit' in a course equates to approximately 10 learning hours.
Entry
Entry requirements
- You must be a registered midwife and hold a bachelor's degree OR have relevant equivalent skills and knowledge acquired through appropriate work or professional experience.
For New Zealand registered midwives:
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- Overall Academic IELTS 7.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
For International midwifery students who are not registered in New Zealand:
- If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years)
- Speaking band >/=7.0
- Listening band >/=7.0
- No individual band less than 6.0, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years)
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied. These fees also don’t include additional costs or living costs.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink.
Some support may be available for domestic part-time students if this programme offers a part-time study option.
Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
Study Grants for international students
We have a range of Study Grants to support our international students.
