Podiatry BSc(Hons)

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Knowledge and experience

All candidates must be able to demonstrate good knowledge of podiatry as a profession from talking to and, if possible, shadowing qualified podiatrists, visiting departments and reading relevant material. This should provide an insight into how this experience has informed your decision to become a podiatrist. Experience of working in other caring environments or voluntary work is also beneficial. Essential reading can be found on www.feetforlife.org.

Top reasons to choose this course

• Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Podiatry.
• Specialist facilities including a podiatry simulation suite and orthotics manufacturing.
• Gain practical clinical experience to develop your skills and knowledge throughout the degree.
• Opportunities to learn alongside students on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy courses.
• Non-repayable grant of at least £6,000 each academic year.
• Brighton is in the UK top 25% for graduate earnings in allied health, three years after graduating – Longitudinal Education Outcomes 2022
• 90% of our graduates are in work or further study 15 months after their degree – Graduate Outcomes Survey.

Course structure

You will study the core areas necessary for professional practice: the clinical sciences, health psychology, medicine, pharmacology, surgery, orthopaedics and research methods.

You will also share modules with students on physiotherapy, occupational therapy and pharmacy courses, allowing you to exchange knowledge and expertise with students from other disciplines.

As a student on this course you’ll also get to participate in Schwartz Rounds – hour-long sessions where students come together to listen to stories and share reflections in a supportive and confidential environment. The sessions offer the opportunity to reflect on the emotional aspects of clinical practice and are designed to support students and recent graduates working in complex settings.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Year 1

Year 1 will give you the chance to gain practical clinical experience from the outset. You will learn the academic background of podiatry and the fundamentals of professional practice.

Modules

• Practice Principles 1: Preparation for Healthcare Practice

  This module introduces the skills needed to begin a clinical practice role. You will cover the mandatory training required by the NHS for a patient-facing role; fundamental skills needed for clinical practice – such as documentation standards; clinical health and safety reporting; infection control, preventing the chain of infection; communication skills; ANTT; scalpel technique; manual handling and PPE application/removal. You'll also be introduced to clinical reflection and the expectations relating to becoming a healthcare professional.

• Practice Placement 1

  This module focuses on developing your knowledge, skills and attitudes in a variety of practice settings, for example, clinical, specialist, diverse, leadership, education, research placements. You will observe and take part in professional practice and work as part of the placement provider’s team. You will develop your ability to use evidence-based practice to meet the needs of the practice setting as well as reflecting on and evaluating your own practice.

• Physiology

  On this module you will explore the structure and function of the integumentary, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, lymphatic and nervous systems, as well as their involvements in the homeostatic maintenance of the human body. You'll also study some common pathological conditions found in podiatric practice.

• Clinical Anatomy and Biomechanics

  This module covers the normal structure and function of the musculoskeletal system of the foot and lower limb. You will explore the principles of anatomy and its movement, and develop your knowledge of biomechanics, structural and functional anatomy of the lower limb as applied to real situations. This will provide a solid foundation for your future theoretical and practical studies. Reflection on learning is also introduced.

• Clinical and Behavioural Sciences and Social Engagement

  In this module, you'll enhance your clinical and core skills, gaining insight into how factors like pharmacology, microbiology, and pathophysiology impact clinical practice and patient outcomes in podiatric care. You'll learn to recognise and explain key principles in these areas, focusing on the pharmacological management of common pathologies. Alongside this you'll develop your awareness of advocacy, resilience and self-management, preparing you for the workplace.

• Podiatric Dermatology

  This module covers the common dermatological conditions of lower limb seen in podiatric practice as well as their management. You'll study conditions of the integumentary system, vascular system, and lymphatic system in the feet and lower limbs, and be introduced to the concept of inflammation and the conditions caused by infection. You'll learn about signs, symptoms and other characteristics of these conditions, how they present differently across various skin tones and their management.

Clinical Hours modules record your achievement of clinical hours which must be at 100% to satisfy HCPC requirements.

Year 2

Year 2 will build on the clinical experience you gained in your first year, keeping the same balance between theory and practice.

Modules

• Prescription-only Medicines for Podiatrists

  This module will help develop your knowledge and understanding of the prescription-only medicines (POMs) that podiatrists may administer or supply during professional practice. You will learn to identify and apply the pharmacological principles relevant to podiatric practice and learn about the safe, legal and effective access and supply of approved POMs.

• Practice Placement 2

  In this module, you will apply your knowledge, skills and attitudes to a variety of practice settings via a 40-day placement in a clinical, specialist, diverse, leadership, education or research setting. You will observe and partake in professional practice and work in the placement provider’s team and develop the ability to use evidence-based practice to meet the needs of the practice setting as well as reflect on and evaluate your own practice.

• Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Pathology

  This module will develop your skills in functional and applied anatomy and clinical diagnosis. You will study the defining characteristics of conditions arising from both mechanical and inflammatory problems which affect the bones and soft tissues of the lower limb and foot. You’ll also look at podiatric biomechanical theories and principles and apply these to foot-related conditions.

• Practice Placement 3

  This module focuses on the development of your knowledge, skills and attitudes in various practice settings through a placement in a clinical, specialist, diverse, leadership, education or research environment. Through observing and partaking in professional practice as part of the placement provider’s team, you’ll use evidence-based practice to meet the needs of the practice setting. You will also reflect on and evaluate your own practice.

• Developing Research Skills and Critical Thinking

  This module will explore the foundations of evidence-based practice and the qualities of the evidence-based practitioner. It will support you to undertake a literature search and become familiar with the different databases, critical appraisal and study designs. You will look at the research process, including developing hypotheses, quantitative and qualitative approaches, developing research questions and appreciating ethics when designing research.

• Practice Principles 2: Patient Assessment, Health Psychology and Management

  During this module you will develop the skills necessary to assess, diagnose and treat foot and lower limb disorders. You will cover holistic management planning, communication skills, record-keeping and developing clinical assessment and treatment skills. Through problem-based learning you will also have the chance to apply theoretical knowledge of foot pathology and acquire diagnostic skills.

Clinical Hours modules record your achievement of clinical hours which must be at 100% to satisfy HCPC requirements.

Final year

The final year will allow you to gain experience in multidisciplinary settings, including specialist hospital wards, outpatient clinics and orthopaedic operating sessions. Hours spent in clinical practice will increase as you make final preparations for the workplace.

Modules

• Professional Enquiry Through Independent Learning

  This module gives you the opportunity to develop your professional practice, tailor learning to your individual career aspirations and demonstrate your skills and independence. Together with an adviser, you will negotiate, write and agree a learning contract to increase the depth or breadth of your knowledge and enhance patient care in a podiatry-related subject area. You will reflect on how the content will improve your podiatric practice.

• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Management

  You will learn about existing musculoskeletal interventions and their applications in podiatric practice during this module. You will study the management and interventions relating to acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the lower limbs. These may include rehabilitation exercises, footwear assessment and advice, orthoses and offloading devices. The module will use problem-based learning to enhance your learning experience and relate it to real world practice.

• Practice Principles 3: Leadership, Education, Innovation and Professional Practice

  In this module you will explore the principles of leadership, education and innovation and their applications to healthcare practices. You will explore the available frameworks, guidance and guidelines in leadership, education and innovation by relevant professional bodies and their relevance to a career in podiatry. You will also explore issues related to these subjects – for example equality, diversity, inclusivity and sustainability – in current healthcare practices.

• Complex Health and Long-term Condition Management

  In this module, you will examine the implications of long-term and complex health conditions on the person and the lower limb. You will cover the general medicine and pharmacological management of diseases related to podiatric practice and use case-based approaches to explore a holistic approach to patient care. You will also look at the issues surrounding evidence-based practice provided within the NHS and private sector.

• Research and Knowledge Exchange

  This module will expand your knowledge of research methodology by applying that understanding to a real-world research project. You will explore underlying methodology, justify your research methods and appraise your own work. The module will enable you to grow your understanding of the organisation, analysis and interpretation of data and prepare you to defend your work and respond to scientific scrutiny from colleagues.

• Practice Placement 4

  You will undertake a 40-day placement for this module which focuses on the development of your knowledge, skills and attitudes in different practice settings, for example clinical, specialist, diverse, leadership, education and research environment. You will observe and undertake professional practice and work as part of the placement provider’s team. Through the placement, you will develop your ability to use evidence-based practice in meeting the needs of the practice setting and reflect on and evaluate your own practice.

Clinical Hours modules record your achievement of clinical hours which must be at 100% to satisfy HCPC requirements.

Practice-based education

You will accumulate 1,000 hours of clinical practice, giving you essential experience of working with NHS patients and managing your own caseload before you qualify as a podiatrist.

You’ll have clinical placements in each year of your degree – these have increasing complexity of patient caseload in years 2 and 3. Placements are likely to include school holidays.

On placement you’ll gain a wide range of experience which could include minor surgery, musculoskeletal, wound care, orthotics, paediatrics, research and leadership.

Block placements are supplemented by day placements with opportunities in a variety of settings such as:​ 

• Kings College Specialist Diabetic Foot Clinic​
• Foot and Ankle Surgery units​
• Podiatric Surgery Gatwick Park & Hayward’s Heath​
• Vascular Teams​
• St. John’s Homeless Service
• ​Extended Scope MSK Service​
• Brighton Diabetes Service.

There is also an opportunity to go on an international placement. 

You can also develop your skills and experience through volunteering. Our student podiatrists have worked with organisations including: 

• Nepal Leprosy Trust
• London Marathon​
• Brighton Marathon​
• Crisis at Christmas. 

As a Brighton student podiatrist you’ll also experience interdisciplinary learning with student pharmacists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists as well as your peers from other year groups. 

Facilities

Meet the team

Rachel Forss, course leader

Rachel is a senior lecturer and has worked at the university since 2013. She qualified as a podiatrist in 1995 from the University of Brighton and completed her MSc at the University of Brighton in 2003. She is a committee member of the local branch of Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists.

Rachel has held leadership roles in the NHS, specialising for 13 years as the Lead Podiatrist in Wound Care, where she helped to improve documentation standards, implemented the Texas wound classification system into clinical practice and contributed to referral pathways to improve patient care. Rachel has a large amount of experience in treating diabetic foot ulceration including VAC therapy, ulcers related to various connective tissue disorders and hard to heal post-operative wounds.

Rachel has various research interests and these focus mainly on wound care, microbiology, microgravity research and diabetic wounds. She has just completed the GELL-P project (gravitational effects on lower limb perfusion), which was a research project sponsored by the UK Space Agency and the European Space Agency, investigating changes in blood flow to the lower limb during a parabolic flight.

Other staff who teach on the course include:

• Dao Tunprasert

• Amore Forde

• Christine Bolt

• Libertad Rodriguez Burgos

Course fees

Additional funding support

UK students studying nursing, midwifery and some allied health professions subjects receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each academic year. Shortage specialisms, such as podiatry, receive an additional £1,000. Find out more on the NHS website.

The RKS Scholarship

The RKS Scholarship will fund one student’s annual fee of £9,250 for three years of undergraduate study (total value of £27,750). Applications need to be male or identify as male or non-binary and be a full-time student with a firm offer on a Podiatry BSc or Nursing (Adult or Child) BSc. They will need to be eligible to receive a full student finance package, a University of Brighton Bursary, Care Leaver’s Bursary or Estranged Student Bursary.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Brighton Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf) for more on University of Brighton tuition fees.

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