Midwifery
Study midwifery at Otago Polytechnic and guide people through pregnancy, childbirth and the weeks that follow. You will provide real life support to someone during their journey gaining invaluable hands-on experience throughout your studies.
Our midwifery qualifications will fully immerse you in this incredible life event, providing or extending your midwifery knowledge and skills to develop professional practices for your career in health and maternity.
You will gain real experience. Our practical way of learning enables you to go on to become confident midwives in your field, providing informed support and guidance and anticipating any risks.
Our Midwifery programmes are taught via blended delivery in various locations across New Zealand. Blended delivery is a combination of online lectures, face-to-face tutorials, practice experiences and intensive block courses. This provides you with the flexibility to fit your studies around your life.
We have a lot of support available to help you succeed in your studies. This includes weekly tutorial groups (hui ākonga), support from local kaiako (staff members), student advisors, and local midwives. We also have a national programme, Te Ara ō Hine — Tapu Ora, to support our learners who whakapapa Māori or Pasifika. We provide resources to help you study and complete your midwifery qualification, so that Māori and Pasifika babies can be born into Māori and Pasifika hands.
Midwifery qualifications
Health, Health & Wellbeing
Don’t have the academic requirements you need to enter one of our diploma- or degree-level healthcare programmes? No problem. By studying courses such as Function of the Human Body and an Introduction to Careers in Health, you will be well prepared to apply for your chosen diploma or degree.Duration
1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Delivery
On campus, Online with block course(s)
Health, Health & Wellbeing
This Level 4 programme is the second part of our health bridging pathway for those that don't yet meet the entry requirements for our diploma or degree level health programmes. To enter directly into Level 4, you need to hold a New Zealand Certificate in Study and Employment Pathways (Level 3) (our Level 3 Health Bridging certificate), or equivalent, e.g. NCEA Level 3.Duration
17 Weeks Full-time
1 Year Part-time
Delivery
On campus, Online with block course(s)
Health
This internationally renowned qualification leads to registration as a midwife in New Zealand with solid, theoretical learning and real-life midwifery experience. Complete your studies through a blended combination of practical experience, online learning and compulsory block courses in Dunedin or Porirua.Duration
4 Years Full-time
6 Years Part-time
Delivery
Blended learning
Career potential
Registered Midwife
Health
If you're a registered midwife and want to extend your expertise, this programme is for you. Our fully online courses allow you to study from home and participate in online discussions. This programme takes you one step closer to more advanced midwifery qualifications.Duration
6 Months Full-time
1 Year Part-time
Delivery
Online
Career potential
Registered Midwife, Specialist roles
Health
This advanced qualification can help you extend your knowledge in midwifery. It will further your critical thinking and application of research to your practice while you analyse your experiences as a midwife. You can also build upon this qualification with a Master of Midwifery.Duration
1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time
Delivery
Online
Career potential
Registered Midwife, Specialist roles
Health
Choose this intensive programme if you want to pursue independent research and scholarship. This internationally recognised programme has a strong focus on research and theory. You can also build on your Postgraduate Diploma to achieve your degree.Duration
2 Years Full-time
4 Years Part-time
Delivery
Online
Career potential
Doctoral Research, Educator
Health
Recertification and Registration Competence Programme for New Zealand Midwives and Overseas Midwives
Duration
14 Weeks Part-time
Delivery
Online
Career potential
Registered Midwife
Student stories
Discover our School of Midwifery
Get a taste of what it’s like to study this field at Otago Polytechnic:
- See all qualifications offered
- Find information about how we support our ākonga (learners)
- Learn about our Te Ara ō Hine — Tapu Ora programme to support our learners who whakapapa Māori or Pasifika
- Meet your lecturers and find out what makes them leaders in their field
- Hear about our latest news and events
- Learn first-hand what it’s like to study with us from real students and graduates
- Read about our postgraduate research and projects
Postgraduate specialties in midwifery
Choose from a range of specialist topics with our online Postgraduate study programmes.
Contact us
If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.
