Program Overview

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Overview of the Podiatry BSc(Hons) Program

The Podiatry BSc(Hons) program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to become a registered podiatrist. This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Podiatry.

What is a Podiatrist?

A podiatrist is an allied healthcare professional who specializes in assessing and treating the lower limb and foot, preventing foot conditions from deteriorating, and enabling better health. Podiatrists are always in demand, and this degree covers everything from health rehabilitation to musculoskeletal care and anesthesia.

Why Study Podiatry BSc(Hons)?

Podiatry provides flexibility following studies to work in various settings, including the NHS, private practice, or even one's own clinic. Alternatively, students may continue onto postgraduate study and enroll onto one of the University's Master's courses, such as podiatric surgery. This gives students the qualification needed to potentially pursue a career as a foot surgeon.

Course Structure

The course is taught through seminars, group work, practical experience, lectures, staff or student-led tutorials, case-based tutorials, virtual learning, role play, clinical practice, reflection, and placement. Within this, in-house treatment of patients in the podiatry clinic and hands-on placements within a practice setting are incorporated.

Entry Requirements

• A Level: BBB-BBC
• BTEC: DDM-DMM
• 120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications
• Merit in T Level
• DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma at grade B or above
• Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 30 at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit
• 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications
• GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent Ofqual regulated qualification

Additional Requirements

• Demonstrate an understanding of the profession
• Applicants with a minimum of 2 years' experience working as a Podiatry Assistant, Foot Care Assistant, or Foot Health Practitioner, who have also completed an appropriately recognized course as part of their qualifications, will be considered
• Offers will be subject to satisfactory references
• Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration
• May be required to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these

Course Detail

Year 1

• Clinical Podiatry 1: Provides clinical experience of the fundamental techniques used in podiatric care and an understanding of the principles on which therapeutic interventions are based
• Lower Limb Structure and Function: Introduces the anatomy of the lower limb and helps develop an understanding of different anatomical structures and their function in walking
• Medicine 1: Develops knowledge and understanding of homeostasis and the major organ systems of the human body
• Podiatric Theory 1: Introduces a range of podiatric conditions commonly encountered in clinical practice
• Professional Development and Research 1: Involves a multidisciplinary team-based learning approach, introducing the role of research and evidence-based practice

Year 2

• Clinical Podiatry 2: Assesses and manages a wide variety of podiatric conditions in the University's Podiatry Clinic and during a four-week practice placement
• Introduction to Musculoskeletal Podiatry: Builds on knowledge of the fundamentals of the structure and function of the lower limb, exploring various pathologies/injuries and different methods of assessing them
• Medicine 2: Studies the podiatric implications of general medical conditions and their pharmaceutical management
• Research 2: Prepares students to undertake an area of research in Year 3, exploring data collection and analysis in relation to methods currently used in research and evaluation of practice

Year 3

• Clinical Podiatry 3: Further develops practical skills, preparing students to become a registered podiatrist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Podiatry and the High Risk Patient: Explores the management of the high-risk podiatry patient through a combination of lectures, workshops, university clinics, and day placements
• Principles of Contemporary Practice: Facilitates exploration and learning about contemporary podiatric practice, including theories of evidence-based practice and healthcare ethics
• Research 3: Undertakes a small-scale research project related to an interdisciplinary research environment, working in a multi-professional group with other health professional students

Placements

Placements are a compulsory element of the course and take place in a range of different NHS settings. Students undertake 435 hours on placement throughout the duration of the course, providing orientation to the NHS, introduction to podiatry in the NHS, supervised work providing treatment of patients, and a wider range of clinical practice experience.

Facilities

The University features a state-of-the-art public-facing podiatry clinic, enabling students to develop their skills and knowledge while directly impacting the health outcomes of the community. Facilities include specialist gait analysis equipment and an orthotics laboratory.

Fees and Finance

• Tuition Fees - full-time: The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £9,535 per year for full-time students
• Tuition Fees - part-time: The maximum fees for UK-based students on undergraduate courses in 2025/26 will be £1,589 per 20 credit module and £2,384 per 30 credit module per year for part-time students
• NHS Funding: Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year

Career Support

The University provides professional help, support, and guidance, including industry-supported workshops, careers fairs, and one-to-one guidance sessions, to help students focus on life after graduation and achieve their ambitions.

Research Excellence

The University is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power, with three-quarters of all research being world-leading and internationally excellent. Researchers carry out work that makes a real difference to people's lives, and the University is committed to continuing this excellence.

Student Support

The University offers support networks and services to help students get ahead in their studies and social life, including dedicated staff and resources to navigate through their personal student journey.

Further Study

Progression to one of the University's Workforce Development courses could include studying a specialist short course, Postgraduate Certificate, Master's, or Master's by Research. Courses are designed to assist students in developing their career and skills in specialist areas of clinical practice.