Midwifery 2026 personal statement guide

Midwives enable, support, and empower women — it's not just about babies. Show admissions tutors you’re motivated and you have a realistic understanding of the nature of midwifery.

With so many applicants chasing every place, the best personal statements will demonstrate what the University of York calls 'a real insight and current awareness that goes beyond the obvious aspects of the role or how it's conveyed on television’. So, maybe don’t mention ‘One Born Every Minute’!

General advice about writing your personal statement

What do admissions staff at universities and colleges want to see?

Guidance and examples you can use

Question 1: Why do you want to study this course or subject?

This is your opportunity to showcase your passion and knowledge of your chosen subject area and to demonstrate to universities and colleges why it’s a good fit for you and your future ambitions.

Examples:

• Write about why you want to become a midwife. Whether it runs in the family, or you’ve been inspired by a documentary or your own birthing experience, show your knowledge of the role and why you may be suited to it.
• You're likely to be interviewed for a midwifery place, so make sure your personality shines through in your statement — and you can back up claims you've made with evidence.
• The University of Cumbria asks applicants to 'demonstrate that they have thought carefully about the influences on women's health and the nature of midwifery in the UK in the 21st century’. Can you reference what you’ve learned from watching the news or reading about maternity care, and how you see your role within the industry?

Question 2: How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?

This is your chance to shout about the relevant or transferable skills you’ve gained from your formal education and highlight your understanding of how they will help you succeed in this subject area.

Examples:

• Midwifery requires good communication and listening skills. Demonstrate this through your studies, whether that’s been learning a modern foreign language, or giving a presentation.
• Write about something you’ve enjoyed on your biology or another science course. Maybe you enjoyed anatomy or you’re good at scientific drawings from observation – how will this help you on a midwifery course?
• Midwives need to work well under pressure, manage their time well, and be able to prioritise their workload. Give examples of how you’ve done this during your studies, or in a part-time job or hobby.
• Have you done any online courses to boost your knowledge in the subject? For example, why not try Subject Spotlights or Virtual Work Experiences from Springpod to grow your skills and interest? 

Question 3: What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

This is your chance to talk about any other activities you have undertaken outside of your formal education, or personal experiences which further demonstrate your suitability for the course. This section is likely to be highly personal to you and anything you do include should reflect on why you’re including it.

Examples:

• Think about transferable skills you have that would apply to midwifery situations. These could be demonstrated in lots of ways — whether it's the diplomacy you've needed as a customer service assistant, the empathy you've shown through volunteering, the teamwork that got you through your Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition, or the way you've balanced the demands of being a parent yourself.
• You'll be dealing with people from the whole spectrum of society, so show you have an understanding of diversity and a capacity for being non-judgmental. Maybe you’ve worked in charity fundraising, which meant you came across people from all walks of life, and perhaps had to deal with more difficult people, or you’re neurodiverse and can bring your own experiences to the role.
• Midwives also need to be good at writing and record keeping. Whether you’ve helped out in a library or an accountancy firm, or you’ve categorised your book collection, show you’re organised and have good attention to detail.
• If you play sport, are part of a film or book club, or you love sudoku, describe what these interests will bring to your degree studies, such as building your interpersonal and communication skills, or giving you the ability to switch off after a difficult day.

How to set yourself apart

The key to setting yourself apart in your application is to remember how important the ‘personal’ bit is to your personal statement. What makes you, you?

Perhaps you’re from a large family or you live in a city centre flat, and you’re used to working in a noisy, populated environment.

You may have an interest in interior design or architecture, and feel that may give you an edge when it comes to creating a relaxing birth environment for patients. 

It's even better if you can link your interests to something you've learned in your biology, sociology or psychology studies, or read in The Lancet or on the BBC website. 

Some more tips to consider

1. Know your stuff: Standing out as a midwifery applicant requires thorough preparation and research. As University of York's web page explains, you’ll then need to articulate your thoughts and opinions in a clear and concise way in your personal statement and convey something about who you are as a person, 'as this makes your statement unique and hopefully makes you stand out’. Ensure you cover the practical implementation of the six Cs - this is vital for NHS roles.
2. Examples of your relevant skills: Can you describe situations where you’ve demonstrated relevant skills like good communication or teamwork, problem-solving, managing a heavy workload, attention to detail, leadership, or empathy? 
3. Research the course: Why do you want to study midwifery, what specific aspects of the course interest you, how does it relate to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply? 
4. Making your work experience count: Use your statement to reflect on any experience you've had of shadowing, working with, or just talking to a midwife about the role. Reflecting on other kinds of care experience may also be relevant, especially in such settings as an antenatal or breastfeeding group, or any insights you've gained into current practice from midwifery journals, books, websites, or open days.
5. Know the NHS Constitution: For all degree courses that involve training within an NHS setting, there is likely to be some emphasis on values-based selection, and how applicants' own values and behaviours align with the seven core values of the NHS Constitution. Familiarise yourself with this while writing your personal statement.