Program Overview

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Prosthetics and Orthotics

Overview

The BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics course is a three-year full-time program that focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of people requiring prosthetic and orthotic care. The course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and enables graduates to apply for dual registration as prosthetists and orthotists with the HCPC.

Course Details

• Attendance: Full-time
• Duration: Three years
• Next Enrolment: September 2025
• Apply: Application process

Introduction

Prosthetists provide artificial limbs to assist people who have part of or a whole limb missing. Orthotists provide braces and splints to support, correct, or aid the function of people with various conditions of the neurological, muscular, and skeletal systems. On this course, you will learn how to assess and treat people requiring prosthetic and orthotic care.

Course Structure

The course includes a wide variety of clinical, practical, and theoretical learning. You will spend most of your time at the University but will also spend time in clinical placements where you will get the chance to see real patients wearing their prostheses and orthoses.

Year One

• Introduction to Collaborative Professional Practice: Study this module alongside students from other health care courses, engage in discussions on professionalism, codes of conduct, ethical issues, personal and social influences contributing to inequalities in health care.
• Biomechanics: Foster your skills in the calculation of forces applied during prosthetic and orthotic management and the effect if they are altered.
• Anatomy and Physiology: Learn about the basic structure of the human body, with particular reference to the foot, ankle, and lower leg.
• Introduction to Prosthetic and Orthotics Practice: Introduces you to clinical and workshop practice, where you will be able to see professional patients and make and fit prosthetic and orthotic components for them, under careful supervision.
• Materials, Manufacturing, and Design: Learn about the design of prostheses and orthoses, how they are made, and the different materials that are commonly used to make them.

Year Two

• Motion Analysis and Research Methods: Acquaint you with research methods and motion analysis which may be applied to professional practice and the planning of your own research.
• Clinical Pathologies and Presentations: Understand and appreciate the different pathologies that present in patients requiring a Prosthetic and Orthotic device and how to take into consideration comorbidities that may influence the decision-making process.
• Further Prosthetic and Orthotic Practice 1: A clinical module where you will further your knowledge and clinical skills, focusing on the specific areas of transfemoral prosthetics, spinal orthotics, and bespoke footwear.
• Further Prosthetic and Orthotic Practice 2: A clinical module that includes the development of underpinning knowledge and clinical skills required for upper limb prosthetics, and orthotic rehabilitation around the ankle, knee, and hip.
• Clinical Governance: Delivers both face-to-face and virtual/online experiences of clinical governance in practice settings, embedding the underpinning essence of good governance leading to best practice.

Year Three

• Final Placements: Each student will complete a 13-week placement in each discipline in year three. The placement period is split equally between prosthetics and orthotics.
• Prosthetic Clinical Placement (40 credits): Gain an expert knowledge of current clinical theory and technical aspects within Prosthetics.
• Orthotic Clinical Placement (40 credits): Gain an expert knowledge of current clinical theory and technical aspects within orthotic practice.
• Into Employment: Reflect on the broader issues affecting health and social care, with a particular focus on prosthetics and orthotics.
• Dissertation: Conduct an in-depth evidence-based study on a topic of your choice.

Assessment

• Coursework: 26%
• Assessment: 39%
• Exams: 35%
• Teaching: Lectures, tutorials, practical sessions, problem-based learning, clinical placements, group discussion, self-directed study
• Assessment: Practical work 17%, essays 22%, projects 4%, written and Viva exams 35%, clinical assessments and portfolios 22%

School of Health and Society

The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real-world impact. Our courses are informed by the latest research, and we work closely with organisations from both the public and private sector to ensure our teaching is at the forefront of practice.

Prosthetics and Orthotics Labs

As this is a highly specialised profession, we aim to provide you with the latest tools and facilities that will enhance your personal development. Students of prosthetics and orthotics are taught hands-on clinical practice while dealing with patients in our custom-designed clinic rooms.

Employment and Stats

• What about after uni?: As a graduate, you can expect to be employed within a hospital or clinical facility in a junior position to begin, but with opportunities to become a senior clinician or perhaps enter into clinical management or specialism.
• Career Links: Most of our placements will involve working with both private companies and the NHS. Some companies offer the chance of specialist trips, accompanying other students and health care professionals to parts of Europe and gaining excellent experience and work skills in varying environments.

Requirements

• Application Process: As part of the application process, you may be invited to take part in an online activity or assessment - if this is the case, we will contact you with further information.
• English Language Requirements: If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0.
• Standard Entry Requirements:
  • GCSE: Minimum of three GCSE's at Grade 4/C including English Language, Maths, and a Science (or equivalent)
  • UCAS Tariff points: 120 points - must include a minimum of grade B in a science subject
  • A level: 120 UCAS Tariff points including Maths, Physics, or Engineering at grade B or above
  • A level double award: 120 UCAS Tariff points to include Health and Social Care plus A Level grade B in Maths or Physics
  • BTEC National Diploma: DDM in a science-related subject
  • T-Level: Healthcare Science/Science - Distinction
  • Access to HE: 120 UCAS Tariff points and must include level 3 Maths, Physics, or Engineering
  • Scottish Highers: 120 UCAS Tariff points Maths or Physics essential at grade B or above plus one other Science at grade B or above
  • Irish Leaving Certificate: 120 UCAS Tariff points Maths or Physics essential at grade B or above plus one other Science at grade B or above
  • International Baccalaureate: 28 points to include Maths, Physics, or Engineering at grade B
  • European Baccalaureate: Pass in Diploma of at least 75% to include at least one of the following: Maths, Physics, or Engineering at Grade B or above

Fees

• Type of study: Full-time home
• Year: 2025/26
• Fees: £9,250 per year
• Type of study: Full-time international
• Year: 2025/26
• Fees: £19,000 per year
• Type of study: Full-time home
• Year: 2026/27
• Fees: £9,250 per year
• Type of study: Full-time international
• Year: 2026/27
• Fees: £19,500 per year

Additional Costs

• Uniforms: You will need to purchase uniforms for clinical placements
• DBS: You will need to undergo a DBS check before starting the course
• **Occupational Health clearance: You will need to undergo occupational health clearance before starting the course
• Immunisations: You will need to undergo immunisations before starting the course
• Books, stationery, printing, binding: You will need to purchase books, stationery, and printing materials for the course
• General subsistence on trips and visits: You will need to pay for general subsistence on trips and visits

Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.