Frequently asked questions for the Higher Diploma in Midwifery Sponsorship Programme
Who is the programme for?
The programme is for Registered General Nurses who want to become midwives.
Midwifery is a rewarding career providing support to women and their families, at pre-conception, during pregnancy, childbirth and up to six weeks after birth.
When does the next programme commence?
The next programme commences between January and March 2027 depending on individual universities.
What is the duration of the Higher Diploma in Midwifery Programme?
The programme is a minimum duration of 18 months consisting of 26 weeks theory and a minimum of 54 weeks clinical practice.
Who can apply for this programme?
You can apply for the programme if you are registered or eligible to register in the General Nurse Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
How can I find out if I am eligible to register with NMBI?
The NMBI website https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration provides information on how to register for the first time, information for nurses who have trained overseas and the process to having your qualifications recognised in Ireland.
What date do I need to register with NMBI by?
Candidates who are currently registering with the NMBI: should you be offered sponsorship, you will be required to submit your NMBI registration to apply.midwifery@hse.ie by 18th September 2026. Seeking registration is the responsibility of the candidate. Please note registration can take a period of time. For further details on registration please see www.nmbi.ie.
If you are unable to register with NMBI in time for this national recruitment campaign, please be aware that individual training hospitals may carry out local recruitment campaigns in Autumn 2026. You can find out more details about local recruitment campaigns from sinead.heaney@hse.ie or michelle.waldron@hse.ie
Am I eligible to apply if I have a decision letter from the NMBI?
You must fulfil the conditions set out within your NMBI decision letter in order to be eligible to apply for the programme.
Do I need to already be working in the HSE to apply?
No. You can apply for sponsorship without having been previously employed in the HSE.
Do I need a valid work permit to apply?
If you require a work permit to work within the State, you must submit documentary evidence showing that you have permission to be in this State. Further information will be available in the ‘Additional Information’ within the Campaign Pack when the programme is advertised.
When can I apply for the programme?
Applications will open here at 10am on Wednesday 27th May 2026 until 12 noon Wednesday 10th June 2026.
Where can I apply?
Please register on the Career Hub for alerts relating to the recruitment campaign. The application pack will be available on the HSE jobs page on the 27th May 2026.
Where will I undertake the programme?
The programme is delivered by the following HSE hospital groups and their academic partners. These include:
- HSE West & North West: University Hospital Galway, Letterkenny University Hospital, Mayo University Hospital, Portiuncula University Hospital and Sligo University Hospital with University of Galway
- HSE South South-West: Cork University Maternity Group with University College Cork
- HSE Mid-West: University Maternity Hospital Limerick with University of Limerick
- HSE Dublin and North East: Our Lady of Lourdes Drogheda and Cavan General Hospital with Dundalk Institute of Technology
You will be asked to select your preferred site(s) at the time of application.
Can I choose which hospital and university I want to train with?
You will be asked to select your preferred site(s) at the time of application. To maximise your prospects of securing a sponsorship it is advisable to identify more than one sponsoring area. Offers will be made to candidates on the panel in order of merit and according to sponsorship places available in their chosen sponsoring area.
How can I prepare for the interview?
It is important when preparing for a competency-based interview to be able to demonstrate an example of the skills, competencies and knowledge listed in the Job Specification. These include:
- Knowledge/Experience
- Organisational & Management Skills
- Building and Maintaining Relationships
- Analysis, Problem Solving & Decision-Making Skills
- Communication & Interpersonal skills.
It is also important to have a good understanding of the role of the midwife and the NMBI Standards and Requirements for the programme.
Can I request my interview to be held online?
We endeavour to accommodate eligible applicants with an online interview who have a medical need or who would otherwise have to undergo an inordinately long journey as well as prohibitive costs to attend an interview in person.
This is a limited resource, to ensure those applicants with the greatest need are prioritised within these limited resources, we ask applicants to provide evidence as to why they require an interview in this format e.g. proof of address, overseas work permit, doctors cert.
Do I need to pay fees for the programme?
No. Fees for the programme are sponsored and paid for by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Do I receive a salary during the programme?
Yes. You will receive a salary during both theory and clinical weeks. You will retain your current point on the staff nurse salary scale on entry to the programme (based on verified nursing service). Students will also retain their incremental credit (if applicable) during the programme.
How many hours per week is the programme?
The working week is full time, 37.5 hours per week. College hours are as assigned with full attendance required.
What happens on completion of the programme?
On successful completion of the programme you will be awarded a Higher Diploma in Midwifery at Level 8 National Qualification Authority of Ireland Framework and will be eligible for registration as a Midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Successful applicants for the sponsorship are required to work for the sponsoring agency for a minimum of 18 months immediately following completion of the programme.
What opportunities are available when I qualify as a midwife?
There are lots of career opportunities available for midwives such as community based roles including in lactation and post-natal support, specialist areas of practice such as perinatal mental health and bereavement and loss, and opportunities for advanced midwifery practice, management and educational pathways.