Advance your clinical skills as a midwife
Build your midwifery assessment and decision-making skills across the full range of midwifery practice.
You’ll take two postgraduate courses focused on assessment and decision-making in complex maternity care. Across these courses, you’ll build theoretical knowledge that you’ll put into practice, extending your experience, knowledge, and skills.
Once you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery, you can apply to credit your qualification towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Health (Midwifery), or even go on to a Master’s degree.
Who can study for a PGCertMid
The PGCertMid will suit you if you are an experienced midwife looking to develop advanced assessment skills and knowledge to extend your practice.
You need to be a registered midwife with a current practising certificate from the Midwifery Council of New Zealand. You’ll need at least one years’ practical experience, and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Funding through Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand
If you are registered as a midwife in New Zealand and have been practising for over a year, you may be eligible for a grant from Te Whatu Ora—Health New Zealand.
Two types of grant are available—a more general postgraduate study grant, and a grant for the complex care midwifery pathway.
Both grants are funded by Te Whatu Ora, and administered by the New Zealand College of Midwives.
How you’ll study
You’ll learn through a blend of research, classwork, and clinical experience. Our highly experienced academic team will support you throughout your study, which will include a mix of face-to-face and online learning.
Each course includes two ‘block schools’. Each block school is held at either the Wellington Regional Hospital, Pipitea, or Kelburn campus over two days. You’ll complete a mix of lectures, tutorials, and small group activities.
The block schools are a great opportunity for you to network with your peers and other healthcare experts. You’ll have the chance to share ideas and strategies for learning, identify areas for change, and assess your progress.
Study while you work
The PGCertMid is designed so that you can study part time while you work. The combination of self-directed study, online forums and in-person block schools allows you to plan your study around work commitments.
Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to study for approximately 20 hours each week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full time.
International students
This programme may not be suitable for you as an international student, as the qualification is only available as part-time study.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss different programme in your area of interest, contact the International Office.
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:
(a) A candidate for the PGCertMid shall be a registered midwife and, before enrolment, shall have:
(i) completed a degree of a tertiary institution in New Zealand; and
(ii) been accepted by the head of school as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) for a candidate who has had extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertMid
2. The course of study for the PGCertMid shall consist of two courses, Midwifery Assessment and Decision-making in Complex Maternity Care (HLTH 532) and Midwifery Practicum in Complex Care (HLTH 533).
3. A candidate shall complete the certificate within two years of first enrolling in it.
Note: PGCertMid courses are listed in the Schedule to the MHlth and MNS regulations
Future careers
With a postgraduate qualification, you'll have the skills and knowledge to deliver improved healthcare experiences to women, babies, families and their communities.
If you are thinking about working in management and leadership roles, your enhanced skills and knowledge will help you facilitate better outcomes and improve effective management of complex healthcare situations.
More career information
Find out more about careers in midwifery.
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.
Scholarships for Midwifery
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
Scholarships for international students
We are 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.
Scholarships for Midwifery
There could be a scholarship for your qualification, subject area, background, or situation.
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.
Further study
You can build on your Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery to study towards further advanced qualifications, including:
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.