Program Overview

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Podiatry - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Podiatry degree is designed to provide education at an undergraduate level for careers in the foot healthcare profession.

Summary

We offer this course to people who wish to gain a professional qualification in Podiatry, a good foundation for postgraduate study and for those who would like to advance to Podiatric Surgery training. The BSc Hons Podiatry course is a full-time, three year programme of study. You will obtain the academic award of a BSc (Hons) degree and be able to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and membership to the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod). This will allow you to practice as a podiatrist in the UK Health and Social Services, in private practice or indeed to work abroad in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia.

About this course

Podiatry is a science based healthcare profession that focusses on the promotion, maintenance and restoration of foot health. The responsibilities of the professional podiatrist are to assess and diagnose problems concerning the lower limbs and feet and to treat these problems effectively. You will be trained to recognise all aspects of health and disease and to work alongside other healthcare professionals to provide the most appropriate care for patients. Practical experience gained in our on-site clinic and on NHS placements will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for clinical practice.

Attendance

This is a 3-year full time course. Classes are held on most days during the week.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

You will be taught the theoretical and practical skills you need via lectures, tutorials and through practical sessions in clinic. Some teaching will be with other groups of AHP students and some will just be with your fellow Podiatry colleagues. You will be taught by staff here in the School but also by outside lecturers who are specialists in their areas.

You will be expected to take more responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the course.

You will be assessed by different methods including, written exams, phase tests coursework, presentations and clinical exams (with patients) at different times throughout the course.

Attendance at lectures, practicals and clinics is monitored and you will be expected to attend all sessions.

Modules

Year one

• Foundations for Interprofessional Practice
• Podiatric Practice 1
• Patient Assessment
• Introductory Musculoskeletal Podiatry
• Podiatric Practice 2
• Functional Anatomy
• Anatomy & Physiology

Year two

• Health Science Research
• Pharmacology
• Medicine and Pathology
• Podiatric Practice 3
• Applied MSK
• Injection Therapies
• The High Risk Foot

Year three

• Research Project
• Prescription Only Medicine- Supply
• Podiatric Practice 4
• Podiatric Practice 5
• Professional Development and Employability
• Diagnostic Imaging and Surgery
• Extended MSK

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

BBB to include one from:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• CCEA Single Award Life & Health Sciences (first taught September 2016)
• Double Award Life & Health Sciences (Grade BB)
• Double Award Applied Science (Grade BB)

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

Award profile of DDM

Essential Subjects (you will need one of the following):

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science (RQF) (601/7437/7)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport & Exercise Sciences (RQF) (601/7422/5)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care (RQF) (601/7198/4)

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H3,H3,H3,H3,H3 to include two H3 Highers in the following: Maths, Biology, Physics or Chemistry. Plus English and Mathematics grade H6 at Higher Level or Grade O4 at Ordinary Level.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 65% (120 credit Access course) (NI Access course), including 65% in each Level 3 module to include two Level 3 modules from the following: Mathematics, Biology, Physics or Chemistry. To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language, additionally GCSE Mathematics Grade C/4.

English Language Requirements

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Careers & opportunities

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course are now working for:

• South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust
• Western Health & Social Care Trust
• Northern Health & Social Care Trust
• Belfast Health & Social Care Trust
• South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
• Private Practice
• Research

Job roles

With this degree you could become:

• Advanced Practitioner
• Lecturer
• Podiatric Surgery Assistant
• NHS Podiatrist
• Associate Podiatrist
• Private Practitioner

Career options

Podiatry offers a rewarding career if you wish to work in a caring profession. Podiatry can provide flexibility of working, a challenging scope of practice and the opportunity to work with a variety of patient groups such as the elderly, children and amateur or professional athletes. Working as a podiatrist can be exciting because you can work with a number of other health care professionals including physiotherapists and prosthetists. Over time, you may find areas of clinical practice you want to focus on for your future career development and undertake further training across a number of areas eg. high risk foot management, biomechanics, podopaediatrics, surgery etc. There are employment opportunities for you within both the National Health Service and private practice, where the locations you work will depend on the scope of your practice. This could include: hospitals, community clinics, patients' homes, private clinics, sports clubs or fitness centres. Companies in industry and retail may employ you as part of the occupational health team. Opportunities also exist within the education sector for full or part time postgraduate study or employment as a lecturer or researcher. While many people work in the UK or Ireland, many choose to work abroad in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia. If you decide to work abroad you may have to meet specific requirements for professional recognition/registration in the country you go to and may require some experience within the UK first.

Work placement / study abroad

It is a requirement of The Royal College of Podiatry (our professional body), that as part of undergraduate training you must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of practice education.

To achieve this, you must attend weekly clinics on campus during semester and placements within one of the five Health Trusts in Northern Ireland during semester times. These Trust placements consist of 19 weeks in total, spread across all three years of study.

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a chiropodist/podiatrist.

Royal College of Podiatry

Graduates of accredited programmes in Podiatry or Podiatric Medicine are deemed to be fit for the profession of podiatry. They may join the Royal College of Podiatrists and, upon acceptance, will have the right to use the post-nominal letters: MChS.

Fees and funding

Funding is available for this course.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The Northern Ireland Branch of the Royal College of Podiatry sponsor annual monetary prizes for each of the year groups.

Additional mandatory costs

Additional costs include - AccessNI Check, Health Screening, Indemnity, Placement Expenses, Uniforms.

Uniforms

As part of entry to your course, you will be required to purchase a uniform during the first semester. costs were approx. 120.

Royal College of Podiatry

Student membership of the Royal College of Podiatrists is free however, you will be required to obtain indemnity insurance from the College to enable you to practice clinically as a student. The cost will be approximately 125 for the three years.

Placement Expenses

Students may incur expenses during periods of placement. Some placements may be outside Northern Ireland and will incur additional costs. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed however, if a student is required to take a third address for the duration of their placement the University will contribute towards this cost but will not be liable for the total amount.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.