Shape the future of midwifery practice and policy
Address challenging contemporary issues and influence local, national, and international midwifery practice with this advanced higher degree.
Designed to extend your expertise in research, evaluation, and professional and reflective practice, the Doctor of Midwifery (DMid) will enable you to make a difference in maternity care outcomes in New Zealand and globally. It's delivered through a combination of taught courses and a research thesis.
Learn alongside fellow doctoral students from Health, Nursing, and Midwifery to gain skills and knowledge for your development as a leader in policy, community and hospital practice, research, and other health service settings.
Who can study for this qualification
You’ll need to have one of the following qualifications in a discipline relevant to midwifery:
- Bachelor’s degree with Honours
- Master’s degree
- postgraduate diploma with a minimum GPA of 5 (letter grade B), or other postgraduate qualification at an equivalent standard.
You’ll also need a minimum of five years’ relevant and significant professional experience in midwifery. You’ll also need to be approved for entry by the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research) of the Faculty of Education, Health, and Psychological Sciences.
Not available to international students
This doctorate is only open to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.
What you’ll learn
The DMid combines coursework and research, to develop your professional understanding and expertise in research, evaluation and professional practice.
Depending on your speciality area, you'll draw on interdisciplinary perspectives to:
- inform health policy and practice
- improve health outcomes
- address health inequities.
Completing a DMid involves self-directed study, demanding intellectual effort, self-discipline, and dedication.
Learn from expert staff
Our staff cover diverse areas of research. They adopt a range of methodological and research design approaches. They work in broad research areas, including:
- clinical and applied practice
- social sciences
- health service delivery
- psychology
- health and safety
- epidemiology.
How you’ll study
This is a 360 point qualification. You’ll learn through coursework and your own research.
Your study falls into two parts.
Part 1
In your first two years, you'll complete coursework that lays the foundation for your thesis. You'll:
- learn how to conduct research in a professional context
- prepare a research proposal
- get to know and work with your adviser.
Part One is delivered through block days of seminars, workshops, and guest lectures.
You need to complete Part 1 and gain approval from the Associate Dean before you can enrol in Part 2. You’ll also need to have your thesis proposal approved.
Part 2
In Part Two you’ll complete and defend your thesis—up to 70,000 words that demonstrate substantial research.
Part-time study options
Part 1 of the Doctor of Midwifery is a part-time programme that takes two years to complete.
Part 2 can be studied part or full time. For part-time candidates, the Doctor of Midwifery is expected to take up to six years to complete.
As the on-campus teaching is limited to block lectures, you can continue to work while you study and stay connected through online forums.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. Before enrolment, a candidate for the DMid degree shall have:
(a) completed an Honours or Master’s degree or postgraduate diploma with a minimum GPA of 5 (letter grade B), or other postgraduate qualification at an equivalent standard in a discipline relevant to midwifery; and
(b) provided evidence of appropriate and significant professional experience, normally of at least five years; and
(c) established to the satisfaction of the Associate Dean (Postgraduate Research) that they are capable of proceeding with the qualification.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the DMid
2. The course of study for the DMid shall consist of at least 360 points comprising:
Part 1: Critical Analysis of a Health Issue (HLTH 601), Issues in Professional Contexts (HLTH 602), Advanced Research Design (HLTH 603), Research Proposal (HLTH 604); and
Part 2: Doctor of Midwifery Thesis (MIDW 691) Thesis
3. Initially a candidate shall be registered in Part 1 of the DMid.
4. Enrolment into Part 2 is conditional on a satisfactory completion of all assessments in Part 1 and acceptance into Part 2 by the Associate Dean (Research) on the advice of the Head of School.
5. Enrolment in Part 2 shall normally occur within 24 months of first enrolment in Part 1.
6. Except with the permission of the Dean, Wellington Faculty of Graduate Research (Dean FGR), the periods of enrolment (excluding any approved period(s) of suspension) in Parts 1 and 2 combined for a full-time candidate shall be a minimum of 36 months and a maximum of 48 months (or the part-time equivalents).
7. Extensions to the maximum period of enrolment may be granted by the Dean FGR on the recommendation of the relevant associate dean, and shall not usually exceed 12 months. Consideration of extensions shall take account of the candidate’s personal circumstances and the nature of the research project, and consent shall neither be unreasonably withheld nor given without good cause. All calculations shall exclude any periods of suspension.
8. In every year of enrolment regular reports on the progress of the candidate shall be completed and submitted to the associate dean. A candidate’s enrolment may be terminated if they fail to make satisfactory progress or if they do not meet the requirements of the examination process.
9. The associate dean may, on the application of the candidate or the supervisors at any time before the submission of the thesis approve the enrolment of the candidate in a subject for an appropriate Master’s degree instead of the degree of Doctor of Health where the regulations for such a Master’s degree provide that the degree may be taken by thesis and where the candidate does not already hold that degree in the same subject at the University. The candidate shall be deemed to have been enrolled in and to have followed a course of study for that Master’s degree for the appropriate minimum period, provided that the candidate has been enrolled for the degree of Doctor of Health for that period.
Future careers
The Doctor of Midwifery opens doors to advanced roles in health research and academia.
You’ll be able to make significant contributions to the health sector and articulate the impact of your leadership on health sector practice.
More career information
Find out more about careers.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Health
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This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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This scholarship is for students undertaking or intending to undertake an Honours or Masters degree at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington in areas related to Peace Building or Peace Studies, Trust Building, Conflict Resolution, addressing Historical Injustice, Restorative Justice, Social Cohesion, Community building and promoting cross-cultural understanding, Change Making or Ethical Leadership.
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Health
-
This scholarship is offered to women graduates intending to study at Victoria University of Wellington in a course leading to a higher degree, which includes research in some field related to the general purpose of teaching or promoting the knowledge of home or domestic science among the women of New Zealand (e.g. Sociology, Psychology, Education or Science).
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This scholarship has been established by the Faculty of Health— Te Pukenga Wai to support first-year Bachelor of Midwifery students to meet the initial financial costs associated with enrolment into the programme.
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This scholarship is to assist students in the last year of their first Bachelors degree at Victoria University of Wellington. The scholarship fund will be awarded equally between male and female students.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Academic staff research areas
Academic staff from many parts of the university contribute to our postgraduate midwifery programme, alongside specialists from the School of Health.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.