Podiatry BSc(Hons)

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

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 their 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.

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 their 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 provides 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 1 and 2 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

• Practice Principles 2: Patient Assessment, Health Psychology and Management
• Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Pathology
• Prescription-only Medicines for Podiatrists
• Developing Research Skills and Critical Thinking
• Practice Placement 2
• Practice Placement 3

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

• Research and Knowledge Exchange
• Professional Enquiry Through Independent Learning
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Management
• Practice Principles 3: Leadership, education, innovation and professional practice
• Complex Health and Long-term Condition Management
• Practice Placement 4

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

Facilities

Course fees

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 fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

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

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate and postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

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