Compare routes: Midwife

Compare what matters before you decide. Routes are shown side by side, not ranked: an unknown is marked “Not enough data”.

Choose 2 or 3 routes

Route A: Midwifery degree, then NMC registration
Route B: Midwife degree apprenticeship
Route C: Shortened midwifery course for registered adult nurses

Comparing 3 routes. Nothing here is ranked or scored.

Comparison of 3 routes. Unknown values are marked Not enough data and are not ranked.
Route	Route AMidwifery degree, then NMC registration	Route BMidwife degree apprenticeship	Route CShortened midwifery course for registered adult nurses
Entry 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	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	You must be a registered adult nurse Universities set their own further requirements
Official mandatory credentials	Be registered with the NMC to practise as a midwife in the UK Complete an NMC-approved midwifery programme (degree, degree apprenticeship or shortened course for registered nurses) Meet the NMC's health and character requirements NMC registration (nurse, midwife or nursing associate)	Be registered with the NMC to practise as a midwife in the UK Complete an NMC-approved midwifery programme (degree, degree apprenticeship or shortened course for registered nurses) Meet the NMC's health and character requirements NMC registration (nurse, midwife or nursing associate)	Be registered with the NMC to practise as a midwife in the UK Complete an NMC-approved midwifery programme (degree, degree apprenticeship or shortened course for registered nurses) Meet the NMC's health and character requirements NMC registration (nurse, midwife or nursing associate)
Time	Usually 3 years full-time Midwifery degree courses listed on Health Careers are 3 years.	About 4 years Find apprenticeship training lists the Midwife (2019 NMC standards) integrated degree apprenticeship at 48 months.	Usually 18 to 24 months The National Careers Service says conversion courses for registered adult nurses usually last 18 to 24 months.
Cash costs	Fees charged: £31,086 Paid up front by you: £1,716 Up-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.	Fees charged: Up to £26,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for you Paid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are funded	Fees charged: Not enough data Paid up front by you: Not enough data Not included: Shortened course fees are set by each university and were not verified
Employer-funded possibilities	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer. University tuition is usually covered by a Tuition Fee Loan (England), which is repaid from future earnings.	Yes — training and assessment are paid by the employer and government; you must not be asked to contribute.	Possible but not guaranteed — some employers pay fees or give study leave. Ask before you accept an offer.
Work while studying	Possible Full-time study with placements. Usually once you register and start as a midwife.	Yes Work-based, with at least 20% off-the-job training. From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.	Possible Full-time study with placements (check the course). Depends on how your course is arranged — check with the university and your employer.
Salary evidence	Midwife: £32,000 to £48,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Midwife: £32,000 to £48,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.	Midwife: £32,000 to £48,000 a year (starter to experienced, England) National Careers Service, checked 14 Oct 2026. Typical range for comparable roles — indicative, not guaranteed.
Competition and availability	Midwifery places are competitive University can bring broader academic learning, networks and time to decide	Midwifery apprenticeships depend on employers offering them and places are limited You balance a job with degree-level study and placements	Shortened courses are offered by fewer universities than the full degree Places are limited
Geographical constraints	Applies in: UK registration (NMC); fees, funding, NHS pay and apprenticeships shown for England Tuition fees and student finance shown are England's Moving region changes which universities and maternity services are near you	Applies in: UK registration (NMC); fees, funding, NHS pay and apprenticeships shown for England Apprenticeship funding rules shown are for England Moving region changes which employers offer apprenticeships	Applies in: UK registration (NMC); fees, funding, NHS pay and apprenticeships shown for England Moving region changes which universities offer the course
Alternative exits	You could work as a maternity support worker or healthcare assistant Your degree keeps other graduate careers open	You could stay in a maternity support role with your employer	You stay a registered nurse, so you can return to nursing
Source freshness	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 12 Oct 2026	Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 Oldest source check: 14 Oct 2026

Costs are published fees only (lower and upper ends of official ranges). To change assumptions such as funding, loans, pay or living costs, use Compare costs.

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