Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery
Course details
| NZQF Level | 8 |
|---|
About the course
Advance your knowledge with specialist study in midwifery practice and complex care.
Warning
This programme may not be suitable for you as an international student, due to one or more of the following reasons:
- The qualification is only available as part-time study.
- The qualification is delivered by distance or online modes.
- The content is mostly specific to the New Zealand context.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss an alternative programme in your field of interest, contact the International Office.
Build your midwifery assessment and decision-making skills across the full range of midwifery practice with Te Puna Hauora—School of Health.
Through clinical contact and theoretical knowledge you'll extend your experience, knowledge, skills and practice in complex maternity care.
To qualify for entry you'll need a Bachelor's degree in Midwifery or equivalent, and you must be a registered midwife with a current practising certificate from the Midwifery Council of New Zealand.
Once you have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Midwifery, you can apply to include your qualification towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Health (Midwifery).
Workload
As a guide, for each 30-point course you take at the School, you should allocate around 10 hours per point for self-directed study, research, assessments and attendance at schools.
If you’re studying full time, you can expect a workload of 40 hours of study time a week for much of the year. Part-time students doing one course per trimester will need to allocate approximately 20 hours of study a week. Make sure you take this into account if you are working full time.
How you'll study
You'll learn through a blend of research, classwork and clinical experience. Our academic team will support and work with you throughout your study, face-to-face and through internet-based technology.
Each course is made up of several ‘block schools’, with each block held over one to four days. They're a mix of lectures, tutorials and small group activities that give you time to study and access to staff for advice and guidance.
Held on Kelburn campus, the block schools are a great opportunity for you to network with your peers and other health care experts—to share ideas and strategies for learning, identify areas for change and assess your progress.
Study while you work
Our full-time and part-time courses are designed to make it easy for you to learn while you're working. We are happy to provide advice on how to integrate academic life with work and family commitments. The distance component supported by the University's online learning environment, Nuku, forms part of your courses and supports the development of the content delivered in the School.
Funding
This complex care midwifery pathway is funded by Health Workforce New Zealand. Contact the New Zealand College of Midwives for more information.
Entry requirements
Domestic entry requirements
Bachelor's degree and registered midwife with a current practising certificate from the Midwifery Council of New Zealand.
English language requirements
You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
About the provider
Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.
The University’s central location gives students access to a
variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government,
politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as
the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where
students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and
events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great
food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.
Victoria University of Wellington at a glance
- Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
- 170+ subjects
- 20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
- 40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
- 3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
- 130+ clubs and societies
- 5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
- #1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
- Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
- Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
- Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)
Graduate outcomes*
- Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
- 67% were in full-time employment.
*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.
Entry requirements
To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:
- a good command of the English language
- a good record of academic achievement.
Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.
If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:
- English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
- Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
- Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree
The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.
Some of the support services include:
- dedicated international student orientation and events
- a free arrival meeting service at the airport
- the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go
Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get
involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills
for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop
strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular
programmes such as the Kitea
Impact Programme, which is also free to join.