How to get into a midwifery course at Uni?

[LittleBing]

I'll start with some background. I'd be a mature student. I'm going to start an access course to nursing and midwifery in April. I have 3 A Levels but not related to midwifery (politics, history and philosophy). I have 7 GCSEs including English and maths but not science. Will the access course be enough or will I need to do gcse biology? I contacted my hospital last year for work experience or shadowing and they said no but I could try the one an hour away but not guaranteed. Assuming I do well in my access course, would I be likely to get onto a midwifery course with no gcse or work experience or am I wasting my time applying. I'd be applying in 2021. Any answers would be fab. TIA

I'll be doing the course online- £1300

The access course should have enough science content for most unis. Best thing to do is to attend an open day at your local uni(s) and check requirements. They all differ slightly.

Same for work experience requirements. Some unis might want some form of health type work experience but will accept stuff like care homes, children’s centres, etc as midwifery work experience very difficult to arrange. Others are quite happy with any public facing work experience such as retail or bar work as a lot of transferable skills.

It is very competitive. You can expect approx 1000 applications per 100 places easily and this is likely to rise with the new grant.

I would recommend speaking to admissions tutors at your chosen universities to get an idea of what is desirable for the courses. Or go to Open Days and ask questions. I was a nurse until recently and worked with lots of students, obviously the courses are different but both are underpinned by NMC principles. I would recommend getting some work experience in midwifery or general care, if you haven’t already. Definitely speak to admissions though, they will be your best bet.

The Access course is to get into nursing/midwifery and you already have maths. Have you thought of applying to do bank work at the hospital which will give you experience and help when applying ?

Ask the uni’s you’re applying to. Some insist on science GSCE but some are happy with access.
You will also need relevant volunteering/care experience. Good luck.

The access course should be ok. My ds did that to get on the diagnostic imaging degree course at Uni. Although his access course was tagged on to the Diagnostic Imaging.

Find out what Ucas points your local universities need for midwifery, it will be on their websites, and tally that with your access course. I would also advise you email the department heads at the universities and ask if they accept your specific access course and what pass grade you will need to be accepted.

The only thing about work experience etc is that I'm currently a single mum and work full time to keep us afloat- I can't afford to work for nothing or give them to someone on the weekends.

They won’t take excuses Little - sorry to be blunt!

If you really want this, you need to find a way. Is there anyone who could stay over so you could volunteer/work at a care home at night?

@WireBrushAndDettolMaam, hcp degrees aren’t quite as straightforward as that. Recruitment has a huge emphasis on the care and compassion element as well as the academic, so it doesn’t just come down to black and white numbers.

I know @WellErrr and I don't want to make any. I'm trying to think of solutions! I don't have help from family. The only bank position right now is 12 hours and needs full flexibility- not suitable but I'll look every day because I know it changes all the time.

What general work experience do you have?

Unis understand that for younger students they may not have been able to get health related experience as too young and that older applicants may have work or family commitments which prevent them.

You know if you get on the course though you’ll need to work nights and weekends?

How will you do night shifts / weekend work when training? Have you got a plan?

Also, check that they will accept an online access course.

The only 'care' experience I have really is from 12-14 helping my nan look after her mum at weekends or looking after my (quite severely) autistic brother at weekends from 15-16 to give my mum a break. I take it this won't help much because it's family?

@VivaLeBeaver retail, waitressing, retail management

Depends on the uni but some would definitely count that. Demonstrates compassion, caring, kindness.

Have you also got non care experience which is public facing?

But you really do need to ask the specific uni you want to apply to.

@LittleBing. How will you manage the placements and academic hours on the degree? You will find money very tight during the qualifying years. If you can’t find a way to do it at this point, the university will (rightly) question how you will manage the 3 years degree. Retention on nursing and midwifery degrees is an issue due to the pressure, both financial and emotional, so any issues at the outset will be red flags to admissions interviewers.

Ok, so all your non care experience will have you experience of stuff like communication, team working, dealing with conflict.

The only 'care' experience I have really is from 12-14 helping my nan look after her mum at weekends or looking after my (quite severely) autistic brother at weekends from 15-16 to give my mum a break. I take it this won't help much because it's family?

You can totally use this in your personal statement.

Ask your uni admissions. Some insist on care experience, some don’t. You can volunteer for 2 weeks in a care home and then job done.

Working and doing a PT online course alongside a family life will play into time management and organisational skills.

I don't think Uni will see Op as "making excuses" they do take personal circumstances into account. Ds is a mature student and didn't have any hospital experience - or any A levels at all! They interviewed him and remarked on his empathy and people skills, then recommended him for their access course.
As I say that was for diagnostic imaging (Radiographer). So maybe Midwifery is much more competitive I don't know.

Just to add, some online courses aren’t worth it. I would check if your local uni accepts it first before you pay over £1000 for it!

Midwifery is massively more competitive. They don’t really make allowances for personal circumstances.

But it is totally do able OP and you should go for it!!

so it doesn’t just come down to black and white numbers.

No, but they’re not irrelevant!