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How to become a midwife

Midwives support women and families through pregnancy, labour and the early weeks after birth, giving care, advice and checks.

You could work in hospital maternity units, birth centres, the community or people's homes.

Midwifery is a regulated profession: to practise as a midwife in the UK you must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  • Regulated profession
  • Multiple routes
  • Earn while learning possible

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AUniversity

    Midwifery degree, then NMC registration

    For those who want to study midwifery at university, with placements in maternity services, before registering as a midwife.

    Starting requirements

    • Usually 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English, maths and science
    • Usually 2 or 3 A-levels including a science, or a Level 3 diploma or Access to Higher Education course in health, science or nursing — universities set their own requirements
    • Health and character checks before you can register

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for an NMC-approved midwifery degree
    2. Study and complete placements in maternity services
    3. Apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund if you are eligible
    4. Graduate; your university confirms your health and character to the NMC
    5. Register with the NMC and apply for midwife posts
    Estimated duration
    Usually 3 years full-time
    How we estimate this

    Midwifery degree courses listed on Health Careers are 3 years.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £31,086Paid up front by you: £1,716Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually once you register and start as a midwife.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Midwife degree apprenticeship

    For those who want to train as a midwife while employed, without paying tuition fees.

    Starting requirements

    • Usually 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) plus A-levels or equivalent — employers set their own requirements
    • You need a job with an employer that offers the apprenticeship
    • At least 20% of your normal working hours is off-the-job training

    Pathway outline

    1. Find a midwife degree apprenticeship with a healthcare employer
    2. Work and study; your employer and the government pay for training
    3. Complete the apprenticeship and its assessment
    4. Register with the NMC
    5. Work as a midwife
    Estimated duration
    About 4 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists the Midwife (2019 NMC standards) integrated degree apprenticeship at 48 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £26,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CCareer change

    Shortened midwifery course for registered adult nurses

    For registered adult nurses who want to retrain as midwives.

    Starting requirements

    • You must be a registered adult nurse
    • Universities set their own further requirements

    Pathway outline

    1. Check you meet the course's requirements as a registered adult nurse
    2. Apply for a shortened (conversion) midwifery course
    3. Study and complete maternity placements
    4. Add midwifery to your NMC registration
    5. Work as a midwife
    Estimated duration
    Usually 18 to 24 months
    How we estimate this

    The National Careers Service says conversion courses for registered adult nurses usually last 18 to 24 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Not enough dataPlus: Shortened course fees are set by each university and were not verifiedPaid up front by you: Not enough dataPublished fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Depends on how your course is arranged — check with the university and your employer.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

  • NHS Learning Support Fund (England): on an eligible pre-registration course you could apply for a non-repayable Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year, plus £2,000 a year Parental Support if you have a dependent child, and help with placement travel costs. You must be eligible for student finance support, and you reapply each year.Source: NHS Business Services Authority, NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) (opens in a new tab) · checked 14 Oct 2026

Questions people ask

I'm already a nurse. Can I become a midwife more quickly?

Registered adult nurses may be able to take a shortened midwifery course, which usually lasts 18 to 24 months.

Is NMC registration a legal requirement?

Yes. Midwives practising in the UK must be on the NMC register and pay a fee every year to stay registered.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

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