To become a midwife..

[mrscookie]

I really need help with this.
I want to become a midwife, and am currently looking into access to nursing courses at my local college, and I found one for 2 years, 2 evenings a week. Then I'd imagine it's off to uni for a few years to do a midwifery course.
My problem is, I looked on the Entry requirements NHS site and I am struggling to understand the various thing's you need to do..

''There are currently no national minimum academic entry requirements for entry into midwifery courses. As a consequence, each higher education institution (HEI) running courses sets it’s own criteria. All applicants must be able to demonstrate evidence of literacy and numeracy.

For numeracy this includes evidence of ability to:

• Accurately manipulate numbers as applied to volume, weight, and length, (including, addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, use of decimals, fractions, and percentages) to include using a calculator.

For literacy this includes evidence of ability to:

• Read and comprehend (in English or Welsh) and to communicate clearly and effectively in writing to include using a word processor.

If a student has a disability the above can be met through the use of reasonable adjustments.

It is therefore essential that applicants check with each HEI directly before applying to see if their qualifications meet its entry standard.

However as a general guide, HEIs look for the following qualifications or their equivalent.

For entry onto a pre-registration degree programme in midwifery, you will usually need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above (typically including English language or literature and a science subject), plus two A’ levels or equivalent.The NHS and education sector encourages applications from people with a wide range of academic and vocational qualifications.

Examples of qualifications that may be considered broadly equivalent to five GCSEs at grade C or above include: five CSE's grade 1; five SCE Standard grade 1's (Scotland); GNVQ intermediate level plus one GCSE/GCE O level, grades A-C.

Examples of qualifications that may be considered broadly equivalent to two A’ levels include: GNVQ advanced level or NVQ level 3; SVQ level 3; GSVQ level 3 (Scotland); EDEXCEL Foundation (BTEC) National or higher national diploma.

Applicants who left full-time education some time ago may be required to give evidence of successful recent academic study, such as a QAA accredited access to higher education course or equivalent.''

SAY WHAT? lol!
Anyway, so I decided to look on my local college site and go from there. I need to do the part time course so I can pay our bills with working at the same time.

After my 2 year college course is done, what will I need to do? Enrole in a university or begin another college course? I know it will take years and years I am willing to give it, but its all going over my head a bit with what Im reading, I don't know what applies to me etc.

I left school at 16 after my school closed down, and I pretty much went straight into work. I left with all my gcses, but only 4 Grade C and above.
Do they still count or do I have to do them again?

Help!

 

[Windmills]

I'm actually looking at doing the same course next year.. I just found this, I know it's from a different college but I think it might be the same everywhere?

Entry Requirements
Students will need to be 19 or over, committed and motivated. The course is a very demanding one and students will need the maturity to help them cope with the pressure. All students will be interviewed and asked to complete a short written assessment. Your English and maths will need to be at level 2 (GCSE A-C standard). For some university courses you will need GCSE maths and/or English and Science at C and above. You can discuss this with the Access tutors at interview.

https://www.liv-coll.ac.uk/CourseInformation/Course.aspx?AreaID=1&ID=1417

Oh and I know a girl who had enough GCSEs to get onto the Access course, but not enough to get into uni so she took the extra ones she needed in the evening

 

[stephwiggy]

i would call learn direct as they tend to have good info

 

[amylk87]

I assume the access course you go on will advise you on applying for a uni place. And your GCSE qualifications are valid forever, you won't have to re-do them.

Good luck x

 

[mrscookie]

Thankyou Ladies so much!

Anymore input is appreciated
xxx

 

[Celesse]

You will probably need science GCSE as well as maths and English. If the course is an Access to Nursing/Midwifery/Health course then you should be able to go straight onto the Midwifery course. I think most midwifery courses are now degree courses rather than diploma courses.

You will need to apply via UCAS during your final year of college, I'm not sure of the dates, but UCAS starts fairly early in the academic year. There did used to be a different system for getting into Diploma nursing courses (Degree have always been via UCAS), but I think it's all UCAS now.

 

[elmaxie]

When I did my nursing training 11 years ago I got in with the usual GCSE english, maths and a science. I then did biology, maths and english at Highers level/A level and got them bar a low grade in English.

I think if you do your access course and have your GCSEs you are good to go....I know people who have done Human Biology at night school but I dont know if its covered in your access course.

Also when you come to sit your interview for uni to do midwifery you have to remember they also take your personality as a huge part as they look at the person too. My nursing interview consisted of a written essay of I think 500/1000 words on a topic of their choice and a interview where I was asked about me, my family, my hobbies and general what do you do questions and why do you want to be a nurse and what skills can you bring....

Call the uni they will have a person (cant think what they would be called tho) who will let you know what they look for in academic sense.

Emma.

 

[Mumof42009]

You can get onto your midwifery with your access course, I am doing mine through home learning as part of that i do human biology and maths, english etc so should be the same as the course you will do at college. Have a look at the uni's website they give you more info on there and try attend the open days x

 

[Kooky]

I am in my second year of a midwifery degree now and I did an access course beforehand. If you have grade C or above in Maths and English GCSE then you will be fine otherwise you will need to re-take them. If you have any questions just shout
Kirsty

 

[cocokitten]

my friends going to be doing midwifery next year at uni but she doesnt have a levels so is doing her HEFCs for a year, part time two evenings a week (human biology and quantitive methods) and then off to uni she goes.i dont see why people bother with 2yrs of college for a levels.
all colleges do HEFCs and they last 5 years so you can have a break before you go to uni but you have to enrol within 5 years otherwise they're not valid.

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

Make sure you do life science not humanites acsess x

 

[Rhiana79]

There are several midwifery/student midwivery forums you could also go to for advice hun.

If you google student midwives forums then you'll find some good ones, plus I know an excellent one if you aren't easily offended.

 

[Dream.A.Dream]

Hope you get it sorted hun, sounds like a great plan. From what I think your job is now you would have no probs getting accepted onto an access to midwifery course Good luck with it all xx

 

[mrscookie]

Thanks guys, Yeah Katy thats what im hoping. I have til next sept to find out anyway hahaha fingers crossed though!
xxx

 

[x-Rainbow-x]

hi hun when i done my midwifery degree in 2002 i went straight from school , a few of the girls on the course did the access course.

u generally need a c in english , science and maths

feel free to pm me if u need info on anything else xx

 

[Lil-woowoo]

Middy is a really competitive course, as class numbers are generally smaller then nursing. It is worth getting some experience on a maternity ward as a HCA i know a few girls who have done this to strengthen their applications x x

 

[booflebump]

I did my direct entry midwifery - so please feel welcome to pm me if you have any questions

xxx

 

[mrscookie]

Thankyou so much girls. I only left school with GCSES, and although I got C's in English, my Maths is not up to scratch so I will need to do an access to nursing course first to gain those back ( I believe)
I don't think I can go straight to uni with my grades as I didn't do A level.
And yeah lil woo woo, I'm gonna think about what to do when it comes to that, it wont be easy but I will think of something. Im considering trying to become a maternity assistant at my local hospital, I think that could strengthen my chances.

xxx

 

[NatalieW]

Ok basically you do need to do an access course because you have time out of education.

You need 5 GCSEs of C and Above (must be in English and science) I would have also said maths too.

You need A-levels or Equivalents or your access course, you might want to make sure that the local uni to you will accept that access course you are doing.

You might want to consider studying for functional skills in English and Maths to help prove your language and numeracy skills.