Program Overview

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Introduction to the BSc Hons Prosthetics & Orthotics Program

The University of Strathclyde offers a unique and highly specialized undergraduate program in Prosthetics and Orthotics, leading to a BSc Hons degree. This program is the only one of its kind in the UK accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics, providing students with a comprehensive education in the field.

Program Overview

The BSc Hons Prosthetics & Orthotics program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and clinical experience necessary to become competent and professional prosthetists/orthotists. The program includes a combination of theoretical and practical learning, with a strong emphasis on clinical placements and hands-on experience.

Key Facts

• UCAS Code: B984
• Accreditation: Accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Ranked: 5th for Medical Technology & Bioengineering (Complete University Guide 2025)
• Industry Experience: Two clinical placements across prosthetics and orthotics in Years 3 and 4

Why Choose This Course?

This program offers students the opportunity to study on the only Prosthetics and Orthotics course in the UK accredited by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics. Students gain clinical experience with patients in both prosthetics and orthotics throughout their studies and have access to state-of-the-art technology in gait analysis and scanning systems. The program is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council, and graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Prosthetist/Orthotist.

Course Content

The program is structured over four years, with each year building on the previous one to provide a comprehensive education in prosthetics and orthotics.

Year 1

• Principles of Prosthetic & Orthotic Design 1
• Introduction to Health Service Research
• Human Biological Science 1
• Foundations for Interprofessional Practice
• Prosthetics & Orthotics Professional & Technical Skills
• Prosthetic & Orthotic Science 1

Year 2

• Professional Skills for Healthcare 2
• Human Biological Sciences 2
• Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 2
• Prosthetics and Orthotics Science 2
• Foundation Layer of Scottish Infection Prevention and Control Education Pathway (SIPCEP)

Year 3

• Human Biological Science 3
• Principles of Prosthetic and Orthotic Design 3
• Prosthetics and Orthotic Science 3 with Applied Health Service Research
• Clinical Placement in Prosthetics or Orthotics

Year 4

• Clinical Placement in Prosthetics or Orthotics
• Project intended to develop skills of critical appraisal, analysis, review of the literature, and presentation skills
• Compulsory classes and elective modules

Assessment

Assessment is by exam and coursework, including essays, written exams, practical exams, problem-solving, multiple-choice questions, oral presentations, and project work. Clinical work-based learning is assessed in a clinical setting.

Learning and Teaching

Teaching is delivered by a variety of methods, including lectures, supervised tutorials, and practical laboratory sessions. Students work as part of small teams with patients to assess, manufacture, and fit prosthetic/orthotic devices.

Facilities

The National Centre for Prosthetics & Orthotics houses state-of-the-art technology, including a Siliconcoach 2D video gait analysis system and CNC milling machine with robot arm.

Student Competitions

There are several prizes awarded to students for academic and clinical performance, including the Limbless Association awards, Ottobock Healthcare prize, and Orthotic Education and Training Trust prize.

Accreditation

The program is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council for the purpose of eligibility for entry to the HCPC register as a practitioner prosthetist/orthotist.

Entry Requirements

• Highers: AAAB/AABBB (Including Maths or Physics at B or above plus one other science at B or above)
• Advanced Highers: Maths, Physics, or Biology recommended
• A Levels: ABB-BBB including Maths or Physics
• International Baccalaureate: 32 including Maths or Physics at Higher level
• HNC/HND: HND or HNC in an Engineering Discipline
• International Students: View the entry requirements for your country
• Deferred Entry: Accepted
• English Language Requirements: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall (no individual band less than 6.0)

Fees and Funding

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £9,535
• Republic of Ireland: Same as England, Wales & Northern Ireland
• International: £30,250
• Additional Costs: Tool kit (£61), Safety shoes (£22), and potential costs for accommodation and travel during clinical placements

Careers

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Prosthetist/Orthotist through the Health and Care Professions Council. Key sectors for graduate recruitment include the Health Service, in either NHS facilities or for commercial companies contracted to the NHS for prosthetic/orthotic services. Some graduates continue to postgraduate study or research. The program achieves a high employment rate, with 90% of graduates in work or further study 15 months after the course.