Tohu Paetahi Whakawhānau TamarikiBachelor of Midwifery—BMid

The most important thing I have learnt as a midwife is never underestimate the power of birth, and with kindness and empathy and compassion, how you can actually make a difference to that woman and for pregnant people.

We, all of us, when we are pregnant for the first time, are really uncertain about what is going to happen. So it’s about journeying with them through that and enabling them to become knowledgeable and powerful and to claim control over their birthing experiences.

I’m studying midwifery because it feels like a calling, feels like something that I was always supposed to do. I want to work in a job where I can empower women and I’ve always felt really connected to the stories told by other midwives and by mothers.

When I have been working fulltime as a lead maternity carer in the community, what I very quickly found was that you became very engaged with the community but you also became very engaged with families.

I think another part of being a good midwife is being able to advocate for women and for pregnant people about the informed choice and informed consent, making sure that they have the best outcomes for them and their families in the birth process.

To step through the doors at Wellington Hospital as a student midwife felt amazing. We’ve got some incredible tutors and the facilities are like nothing I’ve ever seen before. We’ve got this incredible simulation suite at the hospital. It’s just such an excellent experience to turn up to uni every day and just love what I’m doing.

The student midwives will come out of this programme valued, with a full kete of tools, of knowledge and of resources that they can take into practice. They’ll value not only the knowledge they’ve gained but also the value they’re going to be to society.

Kia ora! When you begin your undergraduate studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you'll be working towards a Bachelor's degree.

You can create a programme of study to include subjects that you enjoy. So, how does a degree work?

Throughout your degree you will take courses.

In your first year, you will normally take 100 level courses only. Some degrees have core courses that all students must complete.

Each course is worth 15 or 20 points. To pass a course, you need to complete a number of different assessments throughout the Trimester.

When you pass the course you earn points towards your degree. To complete your degree, you will need to earn 360 points over three years of full-time study.

Degrees in law, engineering and midwifery take four years of full-time study. A major is your main subject.

Each year you will take courses related to your major.

To complete a major, you have to take certain courses at 100, 200 and 300 level. Some degrees allow you to have two majors within one degree.

Doing a double major doesn't add extra time to your degree, it just adds more structure to your programme of study.

A minor is like doing a major, but with fewer courses particularly in your second and third years. Some degrees allow minors!

You can take elective courses if you have space in your degree programme. Elective courses can be from other subject areas you are interested in.

Here at the University, we offer different types of degrees. Some degrees are flexible, such as the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science.

Under a flexible degree, it is possible to do a double major. Some degrees are structured, meaning there are a number of courses you must take.

Under a structured degree, you normally do one major. A conjoint degree is when you do two degrees at the same time.

Some of the courses you complete will count towards both degrees which saves time. Not all degrees can be done conjointly!

If you think you're ready to choose your programme of study, head over to our website and have a look at our undergraduate degrees!