Podiatry MSc drafted

Program Overview

The Podiatry MSc program enhances core skills and specializes in podiatric subfields such as musculoskeletal or long-term condition management. Taught by practicing clinicians, the program utilizes evidence-based practice and clinical placements to expose students to the latest podiatry techniques. With its focus on advanced assessment, diagnosis, and management, this program empowers practicing and newly qualified podiatrists to elevate their careers.

Program Outline

Podiatry MSc Program Details:

Degree Overview:

This MSc program is designed for practicing and newly qualified podiatrists who wish to advance their careers by expanding their knowledge and skills in specialized areas within the profession. The program focuses on podiatric specialisms, including musculoskeletal or management of long-term conditions, while enhancing core skills of assessment, diagnosis, and management.

Objectives:

• To provide qualified podiatrists with the opportunity to focus on podiatric specialisms.
• To enhance core skills of assessment, diagnosis, and management.
• To expose students to the latest practices and techniques in podiatry.
• To provide real-world experience through clinical placements with specialist podiatry teams.
• To assist students in advancing their specialist skills through optional modules.
• To update and develop clinical practice through the utilization of up-to-date research evidence, policy documents, and a wide range of clinical experience.

Outline:

Core Module:

• Project (Health Related): This module provides the opportunity to develop a working project proposal related to course outcomes or place of work.
Learning materials and procedural guidance are made available electronically. Students attend lectures and have access to supervision with a subject specialist or researcher in the field.

Option Modules:

• Theory of Clinical Practice: This module enhances clinical skills in various settings, including the University's podiatry clinic and placements in practice.
Placements are focused on the student's chosen podiatric specialism. Students deal with complex health issues systematically and creatively, communicate conclusions clearly, and demonstrate advanced clinical practice skills.
• Clinical Assessment and Management: This module appraises and applies a broad range of assessment and management strategies relating to the lower limb.
Students study the practical application of advanced investigations into the musculoskeletal, vascular, and neurological status of the lower limb and associated treatment approaches. The module also focuses on evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, problem-solving, and evaluation of strategies.
• Clinical Investigations and Diagnostic Imaging for Podiatrists: This module develops the key skills required to order and interpret a range of clinical investigations and imaging modalities used in the diagnosis and management of foot and lower limb pathology.
• Forensic Podiatry: This module introduces the skills and competences required to understand the rudiments of Forensic Podiatry.
Students focus on the practice of forensic techniques such as photography, print and foot impression capture, forensic gait analysis, footwear construction and fit, and the appreciation of wear features. This theory-based module encourages participation in workshop settings.
• Injection Therapy (Theory) for the Foot and Ankle: This module advances practice using the theoretical knowledge that underpins clinical practice for injection therapies in the foot and ankle.
Students develop an understanding of the principles and actions of available drugs and techniques used in their administration.
• Person Centred Care: This module develops existing knowledge and skills in communication of person-centered care.
Students are introduced to the theoretical and practical aspects of effective communication in practice. Exposure to a range of theoretical concepts enables critical thinking surrounding service user care.
• Quality and Presentation of Evidence: This module covers quality control and assurance, an introduction to case assessment and interpretation, note-taking (crime scene reports and forensic examination notes), report writing and production of expert witness statements, giving oral evidence, and the role of forensic sciences in the courts.
• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing: This module prepares students to be Independent and Supplementary Prescribers.
Students explore the relevant professional, legal, ethical policy, evidence-based, and practice components of prescribing. They undertake coursework, examinations in pharmacology and numeracy, and complete 90 hours of clinical practice with a practice supervisor and practice assessor.

Assessment:

• Assessment involves a combination of seminar presentations, practical assessments, and oral examinations.
• Feedback (usually written) is provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks, unless the submission was made towards the end of the session, in which case feedback is available on request after the formal publication of results.
• Feedback on exam performance/final coursework is available on request after the publication of results.

Teaching:

• Teaching is delivered through a range of methods, including podcasts, practical sessions, and group discussions.
• Students are taught by academics who are all practicing clinicians within podiatric practice and researchers in their area of expertise.
• The University of Huddersfield ranks in the top three in England for the proportion of staff who hold doctorates, have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications.
• The University is first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK's best lecturers in Higher Education.
• The University won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognizing its commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers.

Careers:

• This course offers the opportunity to enhance your career by helping you to develop skills and knowledge in specialist areas of podiatric practice.

Other:

• The University of Huddersfield is the only university offering a full-time Master's course in podiatry with a placement in musculoskeletal (MSK) or long-term conditions.
• Students may access modules from elsewhere in the School's postgraduate provision up to a maximum of two 15 credit modules or one 30 credit module.
• The University provides a wide range of support services for students, including the Student Hub, Academic Skills Development Team, and Learning Technology Support Unit.

In 2024/25 the full-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £7,900 (Band 2). Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X). In 2024/25 the part-time tuition fee for UK postgraduate students on this course will be £660 (Band 2) per 15 credit module and £1,320 (Band 2) per 30 credit module. Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years of study may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X). Please note that tuition fees for subsequent years may rise in line with inflation (RPI-X). The fee for the Independent and Supplementary Prescribing module will be £2,241.