Midwifery

Midwifery is a professional degree that prepares you to support women and birthing people through pregnancy, labour, birth, and the postnatal period as a registered, independent practitioner. Midwives are not simply attendants at birth: they are autonomous healthcare professionals who carry responsibility for assessing, planning, and delivering care across the full continuum of maternity, from early pregnancy through to the weeks following birth, and who work in partnership with women and their families to make informed decisions about their care. The role demands clinical expertise, strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and a deep commitment to woman-centred care.

At Cardiff University, midwifery is studied over three years of full-time study, combining academic education with substantial clinical practice in a range of maternity settings in Wales. You will study anatomy and physiology relevant to pregnancy and birth, the pharmacology of drugs used in maternity care, evidence-based midwifery practice, law and ethics in midwifery, and the psychological and social dimensions of the transition to parenthood. Clinical placements are integral to the programme and take you into hospital-based maternity units, community midwifery, and other relevant settings, where you will develop your practical skills and your professional confidence under the supervision of experienced midwives.

Cardiff's connections with health boards across Wales provide varied and well-supported placement opportunities.

Successful completion of the midwifery degree leads to registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a Registered Midwife, which is the licence to practise in the UK. From there, career development offers a range of directions. Clinical midwifery in NHS hospital and community settings is the foundation, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as high-risk obstetrics, neonatal care, diabetes in pregnancy, or perinatal mental health.

Many midwives move into positions of leadership, management, and education, including the role of Practice Development Midwife or Consultant Midwife. Independent midwifery practice is an option for those who want to offer personalised care outside the NHS. Postgraduate study in advanced midwifery practice or a related clinical or research area is available for those who want to deepen their expertise.