The Student Room Group

Funding for a third degree

Hello! I obtained my undergraduate degree in Law in 2020, and went on to obtain my Masters in Law in 2022. Unfortunately after much consideration I’ve come to the conclusion that I simply don’t wish to pursue a career in Law any further and I am considering a career change. I have always been interested in Midwifery and this has been amplified since having my son in October 2022. Would I be eligible for any funding for third degree (undergraduate in Midwifery)?. Regrettably I would not be able to fund the course myself.
Original post by chloe0966
Hello! I obtained my undergraduate degree in Law in 2020, and went on to obtain my Masters in Law in 2022. Unfortunately after much consideration I’ve come to the conclusion that I simply don’t wish to pursue a career in Law any further and I am considering a career change. I have always been interested in Midwifery and this has been amplified since having my son in October 2022. Would I be eligible for any funding for third degree (undergraduate in Midwifery)?. Regrettably I would not be able to fund the course myself.

I don't speak for the Student Finance company, so take the following with a grain of salt.

As far as I know, midwifery is an allied health profession, so you would be exempt from the ELQ policy i.e. you are eligible for student finance.

I can't find many pages from official websites that specifically says that you would be able to do this, but I have found the following:
https://www.heinfo.slc.co.uk/resources/guidance/courses-management-service-user-guide/eligibility/equivalent-or-lower-qualification-elq-exceptions/

If the above is not sufficient, you can often get funding from the NHS since it's an allied health profession:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/considering-or-university/financial-support-university

Also, some universities explicitly stated that anyone is eligible for student finance for midwifery as a second bachelor's i.e. exempt from the ELQ policy:
https://www.uwe.ac.uk/courses/funding/full-time-undergraduate-funding/equivalent-or-lower-qualification
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/health-sciences/about-us/school-blog/support-whilst-studying
https://www.york.ac.uk/media/healthsciences/documents/opendayinformation/Finance-info2021.pdf

Do note: you can do an MSc in Midwifery instead of doing a second bachelor's to qualify for the role e.g.
https://www.hull.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/midwifery-msc
https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/postgraduate-course-search/midwifery/#!#entry-requirements
https://www.bradford.ac.uk/courses/ug/midwifery-studies-msc/#nav-course-entry
Some of the degrees would be 2 year courses as opposed to a full 3 years, so it might save you some time and money.
I would check whether the degree is accredited/approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Council though (if not, the degree is not going to get you into midwifery): https://www.nmc.org.uk/education/approved-programmes/

As I don't know your location and whether you are willing to relocate (kids, partner, etc.), I can only provide you with the above.
Original post by chloe0966
Hello! I obtained my undergraduate degree in Law in 2020, and went on to obtain my Masters in Law in 2022. Unfortunately after much consideration I’ve come to the conclusion that I simply don’t wish to pursue a career in Law any further and I am considering a career change. I have always been interested in Midwifery and this has been amplified since having my son in October 2022. Would I be eligible for any funding for third degree (undergraduate in Midwifery)?. Regrettably I would not be able to fund the course myself.

Hi Chloe,

Midwifery is one of our exception courses as long as you're not already registered in this field. When are you thinking starting this course?

Thanks,
Claire

Quick Reply