Getting a place on midwifery degree

I am looking to do a career change to be a midwife which I have always dreamed off but could never do due to finance and childcare. My kids are now grown up and I am in the position to start looking. I am now 42 and going to give myself 2 years to gain the relevant qualifications through the access to higher education on learn direct. To yhen hopefully gain a place on the degree course 2027. I work 9/5 in an office Monday to Friday so was wondering about anyone’s experience if they managed to get a place ok the degree without volunteering or is this something I would need to do? And if you did volunteer what did you do? Thanks

I am looking to do a career change to be a midwife which I have always dreamed off but could never do due to finance and childcare. My kids are now grown up and I am in the position to start looking. I am now 42 and going to give myself 2 years to gain the relevant qualifications through the access to higher education on learn direct. To yhen hopefully gain a place on the degree course 2027. I work 9/5 in an office Monday to Friday so was wondering about anyone’s experience if they managed to get a place ok the degree without volunteering or is this something I would need to do? And if you did volunteer what did you do? Thanks

I am looking to do a career change to be a midwife which I have always dreamed off but could never do due to finance and childcare. My kids are now grown up and I am in the position to start looking. I am now 42 and going to give myself 2 years to gain the relevant qualifications through the access to higher education on learn direct. To yhen hopefully gain a place on the degree course 2027. I work 9/5 in an office Monday to Friday so was wondering about anyone’s experience if they managed to get a place ok the degree without volunteering or is this something I would need to do? And if you did volunteer what did you do? Thanks

I am looking to do a career change to be a midwife which I have always dreamed off but could never do due to finance and childcare. My kids are now grown up and I am in the position to start looking. I am now 42 and going to give myself 2 years to gain the relevant qualifications through the access to higher education on learn direct. To yhen hopefully gain a place on the degree course 2027. I work 9/5 in an office Monday to Friday so was wondering about anyone’s experience if they managed to get a place ok the degree without volunteering or is this something I would need to do? And if you did volunteer what did you do? Thanks

Hi Tilly,
You don't really need any volunteering or prior experience in a health setting to become a midwife ( it's great to have any experience but not necessarily okay).
You could get a part-time job working as HCA on maternity ward in your local hospital if anything available and then you can learn some things from this and take it into your degree. Alternatively there's MCA ( maternity care assistant) job if anything available locally you can do but that's around 18/20 months course based normally at the same place and you will learn everything about midwifery but only thing you don't get to do is deliver babies as that's the registered midwife job but you are involved. Then you can go onto university and study as a midwife.
As long as you have the NECESSARY entry requirements then go for it.
When you get accepted onto the midwifery degree course there's nothing stopping you continuing to work part-time ( I would suggest you do weekends when you are doing your university studies week's and then fit in your weekend shifts on your days of when you are on placement - this will depend on what type of placement you are doing, you might be hospital ward which is 12/13 hours shift on various days and shifts patterns but you get at least 4 days of, alternatively you might be doing either GP community placement or perhaps outpatient day clinics - both of these are Monday to Friday and you work the opening hours ( around 8 am - 6 pm ) but you will get a day of during the week and free weekends.
Good luck with everything
Registered band 7 senior charge nurse midwife and I overlook and train future student midwives when on plane with us at the hospital.

Hi @Tilly23! I am a 3rd year student Midwife. I'm so happy that you are taking steps towards your desired career. Working whilst studying midwifery might prove to be hard in terms of placement you could be allocated a shift during the weekends so even if you facilitate that change it is something that might prove to be difficult in the long run, even alongside academics. However, communication with appropriate teams when enrolled in a university. is what I would recommend. Volunteering wasn't a requirement I needed when applying. This might be specific to the university you apply to so please have a look.
All the best on your journey.
Trenyce (Student Rep)

Thank you so much for the advice, I will only be working while completing the access course. If I get onto the degree I will give up my job and concentrate on studying and placements. I am just starting the access course on learn direct, as to apply to uni this time next year x