Admissions
How do I Apply?
After reviewing the Eligibility Requirements, submit all required Application Documents by midnight (12:00 AM) Pacific Time on the application deadline.
What happens if I do not complete my application on time?
If the IEMBP does not receive all your required Application Documents by midnight (12:00 AM) Pacific Time on the application deadline, your application will be rolled over to the subsequent intake and will not be reviewed or considered until it is complete. Applications that remain inactive for 2 years will be removed from the pool.
If you encounter any issues with the submission of your application documents, contact the IEMBP office at iembp.info@ubc.ca.
I am an obstetrician or MD, can I apply to become a midwife?
No. The IEMBP only accepts applicants who have completed a midwifery education program that meets the Eligibility Requirements.
What experience and education do I need to qualify for admission to the IEMBP?
See Eligibility Requirements for details. The IEMBP accepts different combinations of midwifery education and experience as long as you meet all the requirements.
If I meet all of the eligibility requirements, will I definitely get into the IEMBP?
Entry to the IEMBP is competitive, as there are 16 spaces in total for the two intakes (October and January) annually. This means that even if you meet the requirements of the IEMBP, it is possible that you will not be offered admission, depending on your background and those of others in the same applicant pool. However, if you believe that you meet the eligibility requirements, we encourage you to apply.
To increase the chances of admission, you may have evidence of one or some of the following experience(s):
- continuing education
- degree in midwifery
- postgraduate practice
- leadership
How do I know if I have to take an English language test?
Please read the IEMBP English Language Requirements to determine whether you meet one of the exemption criteria.
The following countries are considered to be eligible for exemption from English language testing if you completed your midwifery education there in English:
American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (including Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Tanzania, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, USA, US Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Which English language test does the IEMBP accept?
At this time, only IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by the IEMBP. The minimum required scores for each test component are listed below.
IELTS Academic
Minimum overall score requirement: 7.0
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
TOEFL iBT
Minimum overall score requirement: 100
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
| 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
What if I am sending a form to a country where English is not commonly spoken?
It will be less expensive for you if the person filling out the form is fluent enough to fill it out in English. However, if this is not possible, you should request that the person filling in the form do it in their own language. All documents received in a language other than English will need to be translated for the assessment process, and the applicant will need to cover the costs of this translation. See information on the E Form on the Application Documents page.
Do you recognize all midwifery education programs?
Not all midwifery education programs meet our Eligibility Requirements. If a program is not recognized by the IEMBP, it may be possible for the applicant to undergo competency testing. Contact the IEMBP office at iembp.info@ubc.ca to inquire.
Do you have a list of recognized midwifery education programs?
No. There are many midwifery schools around the world, and programs change from time to time. We review the curriculum that schools submit, and will inform applicants on an individual basis.
Which Education Credential Assessment (ECA) does the IEMBP accept?
World Education Services (WES)↗ is the preferred service provider.
If you have previously obtained an ECA through the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) with BCIT that's less than 2 years old, we will accept a complete course-by-course evaluation report sent to us directly by the ICES.
At this time, ECAs from other service providers (e.g., ICAS, IQAS) are not accepted by the IEMBP.
Costs
What fees are associated with the IEMBP application process?
- Application fee
- Courier and postage fees for sending the original hard copy of your Notarization Form and/or other application documents to the IEMBP office in Surrey, BC
- Courier and postage fees for sending D Forms to referees
- Education Credential Assessment fees
- Translation costs (if required)
For more details, see Application Documents.
What expenses are involved in completing the IEMBP?
- Tuition fees
- Textbook
- A few external courses & certifications
- Mask fit test
- Immunization review at UBC
- Accommodation, relocation (may include airfare), and living expenses for your in-person training in Vancouver and clinical practicum in British Columbia
- Midwifery equipment such as a BP monitor, adult and paediatric stethoscopes, etc. A full list will be provided during the program.
*Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that students have access to a car during their Term 3 clinical practicum. Please note that this may involve associated expenses, including vehicle operation costs and insurance.
Can I get help with the costs of the IEMBP?
At this time, the IEMBP does not offer any scholarships, bursaries, or grants.
You may be able to get a loan to help you from:
- Windmill Microlending↗, offered by the government and available only to permanent residents, Convention refugees, protected persons, Canadian citizens, and provincial nominees
- Student Line of Credit↗, offered by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Can I get help with securing accommodation?
While the IEMBP does not provide support with arranging accommodation, students may find this Living Off Campus↗ page useful. Please note that IEMBP students do not have access to the U-Pass.
Will I be able to work in Canada while participating in the IEMBP?
You will not have time to work during Term 2 and Term 3 of the IEMBP.
For more details, see Term Dates.
Immigration Documents (Visa, Study/Work Permit)
Do I need a visa to apply for the IEMBP?
You do not need a visa in place to apply for the IEMBP. However, before applying, those without status in Canada must ensure they meet all eligibility requirements for a study permit as established by Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
To apply for a study permit, you must show proof that you can financially support yourself and any accompanying family members while in Canada. For full details, visit the IRCC website on financial support requirements↗.
What kind of immigration status do I need to participate in the IEMBP?
Once admitted, students will need to be eligible for and have in place prior to the start of Part 2:
- study permit & co-op work permit (obtained after acceptance), OR
- permanent residency, OR
- Canadian citizenship
The IEMBP will provide international students with the required documents for their study permit application.
Program
When does the IEMBP start?
The IEMBP is offered twice a year in October and January. For more details, see Term Dates.
Can I choose where I am placed for my clinical practicum?
Although you may express a preference for the location of your placement, we can not guarantee that you will be placed there. We will take into account your learning and experience needs, and the availability of preceptors at that time. You may be placed anywhere in British Columbia and must be prepared to relocate to complete the clinical practicum.
What happens if I fail a term?
You will be given one opportunity to repeat the failed term. Please note that you will be required to pay the tuition for that term again. If you do not pass on the second attempt, you will be withdrawn from the program.
What happens after I have completed the IEMBP?
You will be eligible to take the Canadian Midwifery Registration Exam (CMRE)↗. Once passed, you may apply for registration with the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). See their website↗ for more information on the application and process for midwifery registration in BC.
If you intend to register in another province, you may need to meet extra criteria. It is recommended that you register in BC first, as there is an interprovincial agreement for registered midwives.