Applying for Midwifery with Access to HE

Most Access to HE students apply for a midwifery degree while they are completing the Diploma, usually for entry in the following academic year. The application should be based on the exact university courses you have researched, their published requirements and what you can evidence from your study and experience.

Start with the course pages for your intended universities. Check the accepted Access subject, credit profile, GCSE or Level 2 conditions, deadlines, selection process and placement arrangements before asking admissions about anything that remains unclear.

Use the correct qualification information

Enter the formal qualification title, Access to Higher Education Diploma (Health Science Professions), on UCAS. “Access to Midwifery” describes the route you are taking towards a degree and is not the award title.

Qualifications and units that are not complete are entered as pending. Completed units that have not yet been through moderation remain pending until they are confirmed. A university may ask Academy Online Learning for an academic reference and, where appropriate, information about your progress, completed units and grades achieved to date.

Plan the application

1. Shortlist midwifery degrees and read each university’s current course page.
2. Record the required Access subject, graded credit profile, Level 2 qualifications and any science condition.
3. Check the application deadline and whether the course uses an interview or another selection event.
4. Enter your current and pending qualifications accurately on UCAS.
5. Arrange your academic reference and allow time for the university to request further information.
6. Prepare answers that explain your interest in midwifery, your academic preparation and what you have learned from relevant experiences.
7. Track decisions and read each offer carefully, including conditions beyond the Access grade profile.

UCAS personal statement questions

For applications for 2026 entry onwards, UCAS uses three questions within the 4,000-character limit. Read the current UCAS personal statement guidance for the cycle in which you apply.

1. Your reasons for choosing the course: Explain what has led you to midwifery and what you understand about the profession.
2. How your education has prepared you: Use relevant Access units, assignments and study skills as evidence, rather than simply listing subjects.
3. Preparation beyond formal study: Reflect on work, volunteering, caring responsibilities or other experiences and explain what you learned from them.

UCAS says the answers are reviewed together, so avoid repeating the same example. Use real evidence and explain what you learned from it.

Experience and interview preparation

Universities set their own expectations about experience. Some may ask for health or care experience; others may focus on your understanding of midwifery and your ability to reflect. Paid work, volunteering, caring responsibilities, customer-facing roles and education support can all provide useful evidence when you explain what you learned.

Research the university, its midwifery course, placement settings and professional expectations. Selection events may explore communication, empathy, teamwork, professional judgement and your understanding of the midwife’s role. Do not invent examples: prepare to discuss your own experiences honestly.

Checks before accepting an offer

• Does the offer match the published Access grade and subject requirements?
• Are GCSE, Functional Skills or Science conditions still outstanding?
• Will the course require an enhanced DBS check or occupational health clearance?
• Where are placements likely to take place, and how will you travel?
• What funding and support should you investigate before the course starts?

Read the midwifery degree entry requirements guide alongside the guide to choosing a university and course. If you are still comparing routes, the Midwifery course page explains the Diploma and its current unit structure. Our general guide to applying to university with Access to HE covers the wider application process.

Funding and financial planning

Check the midwifery funding and financial support guide for the separate costs and support connected with Access study, university finance, NHS support and placements.

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