There are many ways that you can develop the qualifications and experience needed to become a registered midwife, however you must complete a degree-level qualification and register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council to be able to work as a fully qualified midwife.
Kent and Medway's local maternity system offers a range of outstanding under-graduate and post-graduate study and learning opportunities for those currently or aspiring to work within Kent and Medway maternity and neonatal services. You will find links and directions to all our supporting education providers giving you the best opportunity to navigate your way into a career in midwifery.
Below you can see some of these routes, ranging from school qualifications required for the university approach to apprenticeships, or shortened midwifery courses if you are a NMC registered adult nurse considering a career change.
Education Career Framework
The image below shows some of the ways that you can develop your knowledge to progress in your midwifery career, such as apprenticeships, t-levels, leadership courses and university degrees.
One of the best ways to develop your skills in the midwifery profession is through learning on the job. Getting experience of a real health environment and working with mothers, babies and clinical teams will help you develop emotional and cognitive skills as well as the applied works skills that you need to have a rewarding and fulfilling nursing career.
Note: You do not need to gain all of the qualifications listed at each level to progress to the next Banding or a more senior role. The education routes below are just some options of how you can develop the competencies you need to successfully progress in your career. Speak to your line manager or contact the academy to find out more about what is the best option for you.
GCSEs: Five at grade C/4 including maths, English and science will need to be achieved at time of application to study midwifery.
You are likely to need three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, such as a T Level or BTEC, plus supporting GCSEs. Entry is competitive and high grades at A Level (or equivalent qualifications at level 3) might be needed. Universities may also ask for certain subjects, such as at least one science or social science subject.
T Levels are two-year technical programmes designed with employers that give students the skills that employers need.
The 'T' stands for technical and from 2020, T Levels have given 16 to 19-year-olds a technical alternative to A levels. One T Level is equivalent to three A Levels.
T Levels are delivered by selected schools and colleges. They are taught full time and include an industry placement for a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) which is delivered in an employment setting.
T Level programmes will provide students with:
- broad knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary for employment in an occupation or industry related to their field of study
- an opportunity to develop specialist technical skills relevant to at least one occupation
- relevant maths, English and digital skills.
T Levels will also provide a progression pathway to skilled employment, higher or degree-level apprenticeships and higher-level education.
Visit the government course finder to find a T Level school or college delivering the T Level programme that you want, in your area.
Or visit the academy T Level page to find out more.
To become a midwife, you’ll need to study for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree or midwifery degree apprenticeship.
As an entry requirement, you are likely to need three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications, such as a T level or BTEC, plus supporting GCSEs. Entry is competitive and high grades at A Level (or equivalent qualifications at level 3) might be needed. Universities may also ask for certain subjects, such as at least one science or social science subject.
How to become a midwife | Health Careers
As entry requirements can vary, we always recommend contacting universities and employers to find out the qualifications you'll need.
Financial support at university | Health Careers
Whether you are starting out or looking to advance your practice and career, there will be learning opportunities to meet your study needs.
You can find out more by browsing through the pages of our lead universities below which deliver Undergraduate BSc Midwifery:
Midwifery Degree Apprenticeship
Midwifery BSc (shortened programme) with Kingston University
Midwifery MSc (shortened programme) with University of Worcester
From March (2025), we will be working with the University of Worcester, shortened midwifery programme which is taught using a combination of distance learning and short designated on-site learning opportunities. This exciting programme has been developed to enable registered nurses (adult) with one year experience to complete a two-year course leading to accredited registration as a midwife.
Now is a great time to return to practice.
We can support you to renew your registration and re-enter practice with competence and confidence.
We know you already have the nursing skills and experience that can make a big difference to our patients and their families – we’re keen to get you back.
Find out more about return to practice midwifery
Nursing and midwifery:Kent & Medway ICS (kmhealthandcare.uk)
This two year course is for UK registered adult nurses who have already studied at degree level and wish to gain the knowledge and skills to register as a midwife with the NMC.
For 2024, this course is funded by the government with salary support worth equivalent to the mid-point of AFC band 5 and a tuition fee contribution of up to £9,250 per student per annum, pro rata for the length of the course.
Each year we are notified by Health Education England about the number of funded places available.
Midwifery degree apprenticeships provide another route into becoming a midwife and are available in Kent and Medway maternity trusts for staff already employed as maternity support workers (MSWs).
Midwifery degree apprenticeships are not yet widely available in Kent and Medway.
An apprenticeship is a work-based training programme. It combines on-the-job training with a national recognised qualification. Tuition fees are paid by the employer or government funded Apprenticeship Levies and apprentices are paid a salary for their employment.
By doing an apprenticeship you will be completing a degree level programme where you learn on the job; work and study at the same time.
The employer or government pays for your classes, and you get paid a salary while you learn.
Academic studies are completed through a university and practice placements take place in your own maternity clinical areas. Employers and universities have designed their programmes so that apprentices can fulfil both these obligations at the same time.
In this programme, you
- Work in a hospital, community or clinic
- Attend university classes
- Earn a degree in midwifery
When you finish, you'll have:
- Work experience
- A university degree
- The ability to register as a midwife
This way, you can become a midwife without having to leave your job to carry out full-time fee paying university education.
The University of Greenwich is a provider of this programme within the Kent and Medway System. Apprenticeships are currently offered at Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.
Please contact the following trusts to find out more.