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.

 

Two women on a couch, one is holding a baby

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

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

3 Years Full-time

Delivery

Blended learning

Location

Dunedin, Central Otago, Southland, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Greater Wellington

Career potential

Registered Midwife

Health

We offer three hands-on courses, approved by the Midwifery Council, as part of the Registration Competence Programme for overseas midwives and Recertification Programme for New Zealand registered midwives.

Duration

14 Weeks Part-time

Delivery

Online

Career potential

Registered Midwife

Health

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.

Duration

6 Months Full-time

1 Year Part-time

Delivery

Online

Location

Online

Career potential

Registered Midwife, Specialist roles

Health

This advanced qualification can help you extend your knowledge in midwifery. It will enable critical thinking and research in 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

Delivery

Online

Location

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 with another year to achieve the degree. 

Duration

2 Years Full-time

4 Years Part-time

Delivery

Online

Career potential

Doctoral Research, Educator

Registered Nurse pathway

Registered Nurse pathway

If you're a Registered Nurse wanting to transition into midwifery, this pathway is for you

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 

School of Midwifery

Postgraduate specialties in midwifery

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.