Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry)

What you will study

The Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program consists of 160 units of core courses. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth 10 units.

Core courses

• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Childbearing Women
• Midwife: 'With a woman'
• Women in Pregnancy
• Midwifery Professional Experience 1
• Women in Labour
• Women and their babies in the postnatal time
• Perinatal Mental Health
• Midwifery Professional Experience 2
• Women with Complex Pregnancies
• Women with Complex Labours and/or births
• Midwifery Professional Experience 3 (20 units)
• Women with postnatal complications and/or unwell babies
• Midwifery Professional Experience 4 (20 units)
• Applied Equity-Focussed Health Impact Assessment

Entry requirements

• Completion of an AQF Level 7 (or higher) nursing degree.
• Current registration as a Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, meeting the Recency of Practice registration standard.
• Documented evidence of concurrent employment as a registered nurse working in the capacity of a midwifery student through either:
  • The MidStart program in NSW Health, or
  • One of the university's partnering private hospitals is Gosford Private Hospital or Newcastle Private Hospital.

Note: Students are required to attend face-to-face classes at least two days per week; therefore, this program is suited to applicants with MidStart positions at hospitals local to the location of study:

• Callaghan, Newcastle
• Central Coast Clinical School, Gosford

English language requirements

All Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement. The English Language Proficiency for Admission Policy contains further information regarding English language proficiency requirements.

• IELTS Overall Minimum: 7
• IELTS Sub Test Minimum: 7

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit may be granted for up to 80 units on the basis of study undertaken at another institution or for study completed at the University of Newcastle not already counted towards a completed degree. The granting of full credit is subject to restrictions and may only be considered where the previous study is at an appropriate AQF level (or equivalent) and the area of study is relevant (cognate) to the program.

Credit for core, compulsory or courses on a course list may only be granted for studies completed within five years of admission to the program.

Contact the university or visit its website for more information.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates have:

• The professional preparedness to promote health, prevent illness and minimise harm, through the philosophy of woman-centredness.
• Specialised theoretical and technical skills for safe and ethical midwifery practice with women and their babies across multiple models of care.
• The ability to critically engage using best evidence, communication skills, theory, collaboration and reflection to make safe midwifery judgements, across regional, rural and metropolitan situations and by engaging with other health disciplines
• Deep understanding of the health inequity caused by the impact of colonisation on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• The reflective ability to provide appropriate midwifery services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and to women with specific ethnic and other diverse needs and their babies.
• The capabilities to interpret and transmit maternity health information to women and families.     
• The confidence and competence to contribute to, promote and, potentially, lead the midwifery profession through practice, teaching, research and community engagement.

Career outcomes

This program will provide you with an advanced knowledge base to start your career in midwifery practice.

Possible career paths may include:

• Midwife (areas of work include hospitals, community, private practice, home birth)
• Clinical Midwife Educator
• Midwifery Manager
• Research or policy work

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $5,130 (Commonwealth Supported Places)

Indicative annual fee in 2026: $20,520 (domestic full-fee paying place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 80 units (normally eight courses) per year.

A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per the courses you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university program.