Bachelor of Midwifery

This degree will provide you with the practical skills and knowledge needed to provide care, support and advice to women during pregnancy, labour, birth and during the postnatal period.

There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, and you will do much of your learning in our unique clinician led, authentic simulated hospital and health service on campus, known as the Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS) – the only one of its kind in South Australia.

You will then have the opportunity to further develop these skills when you embark on real-world clinical placements across metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals and health services. Under the supervision of registered midwives, you will follow women during pregnancy and birth journeys. Additionally, you may have the opportunity to study a portion of your degree internationally with an overseas placement during your third year of study.

For registered nurses:

Registered Nurses (RNs) entering this degree may be granted 49.5 units of credit. These requirements are detailed within the What courses you’ll study section of this page.
For previously registered midwives:

Designed for midwives who have not practiced for between five and ten years, this degree has a pathway to fulfil the re-entry practice requirements. These requirements are detailed within the How to Apply section of this page.

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists. On entry to the qualification you will be required to confirm that you meet the ‘Fitness to Practice in Clinical Placements’ requirements.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

Midwifery is an international profession and birthing practices are different all over the world. A focus of this degree is on addressing the political, socio-cultural, economic and technological influences on midwifery practices. The legal and ethical responsibilities of midwives are also explored.

There is a strong focus on theory and practical experience, and you will do much of your learning in our unique clinician-led, authentic simulated hospital and health service on campus. Here you will have the opportunity to practice your skills through real-life scenarios and feel confident and prepared for clinical practice. This simulated hospital environment fully led by practicing registered nurses and midwives (clinicians), known as the Horizon Hospital and Health Service (HHHS), is the only one of its kind in South Australia.

You will then be given the opportunity to further develop these skills when you embark on real-world clinical placements across metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals and health services, under the supervision of registered midwives. During these placements you will be actively involved in a minimum of 30 normal births, and in the pre- and post-birth care of at least 100 women. You will also follow 15 women through their pregnancy and birth journeys through Continuity Of Care Experiences (COCE).

All students will need to complete clinical placements in South Australia, and they must be completed on a full-time basis.

In addition, you may have the opportunity to study a portion of your degree internationally, with an overseas placement during your third year of study.