Midwifery Courses
The National Maternity Hospital supports midwifery education through undergraduate and postgraduate programmes delivered in partnership with University College Dublin, combining academic learning with clinical placement experience.
Bachelor of Science in Midwifery (Undergraduate BSc Midwifery)
The Bachelor of Science in Midwifery is a four year honours degree programme and on successful completion of the programme, students will be eligible to register as midwives with The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Courses are run at University College Dublin in partnership with the National Maternity Hospital. All applications are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO).
Mature entrants are required to contact the Nursing and Midwifery Careers Centre at The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Further information for the BSc midwifery programme can be obtained from our Academic partner’s website UCD and from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland website NMBI.
Notice for BSc Midwifery applicants:
The National Maternity Hospital (TheNMH) Education and Practice Development Department normally hold information sessions for CAO Midwifery applicants each year.
The aim of the sessions is to give prospective students an insight into the clinical placement aspects of the course over the 4 years of the BSc Midwifery programme, which upon successful completion, entitles the candidate to register and practice as a qualified midwife. Notice for CAO BSc Midwifery Applicants: The National Maternity Hospital (The NMH) Education and Practice Development Department will holds information sessions for CAO applicants who have selected Midwifery as a CAO choice. The aim of the sessions is to give prospective students an insight into the clinical placement aspects of the course over the 4 years of the BSc Midwifery programme. For additional information and to book into a session to email BScMidwifery@nmh.ie. The sessions take place in the Education and Research Centre, First Floor, No 65/66 Mount Street, Dublin 2.
Higher Diploma in Midwifery
All candidates should have a minimum of six months post registration experience.
Higher Diploma in Midwifery at UCD (link https://www.ucd.ie/nmhs/courses/taughtgraduate/midwifery/)
Course Structure
This course is an 18 month programme for registered general nurses. Upon successful completion of both the theoretical components and practice placements of the programme, students are eligible to register as a Midwife (RM) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and will be awarded a Higher Diploma in Midwifery from University College Dublin (UCD).
The duration of the programme is 78 weeks with 26 weeks of structured learning. Students will obtain clinical education and experience at The National Maternity Hospital. Students are given an outline of the programme upon commencement of the course. Assessment is through a variety of approaches including practical and written examinations and assignments. Midwifery skills and competencies are assessed throughout the programme.
Student Status
Midwifery students are employed by the National Maternity Hospital for the duration of their course . As an employee of the hospital, certain contractual obligations are requested and will be outlined in a contract of employment. The students are allocated to all areas of the hospital and community that provide maternity and neonatal care. Students are rostered on a combination of day and night duty as part of the programme. The student is also a fully registered student with University College Dublin and entitled to utilise all university student facilities.
Salary
Students are paid according to their current increment at the time of entering the programme.
Course Duration
Course Duration
The next course will commence in March 2027 and run until September 2028.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
From 2 April 2018, applicants for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland who have qualifications from outside of Ireland must now satisfy the Board that they have the necessary knowledge of English to communicate effectively in their practice. Please refer to NMBI website:
https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland/English-Language-Requirements
Applications for the March 2027intake will open on 1st September 2026.
Applications will close on 19th October 2026 with interviews at the beginning of November 2026.
Download application form here.
Informal Enquiries: epdinfo@nmh.ie
(Midwifery Education enquiries only please)