What is Podiatry?
A Podiatrist aims to reduce pain and improve function in patients. In some cases. Depending on the patient group, Podiatrists have a key role to maintain tissue viability and prevent amputation.
It’s a broad scope of practice and the profession offers a huge amount of flexibility. There are a range of specialisms within Podiatry, including: musculoskeletal complaints, foot surgery, rehabilitation, wound management (typically in diabetic patients); and even forensics and sports medicine. Premiership football teams all have Podiatrists, for example.
What is a Podiatrist?
Podiatrists diagnose, treat and rehabilitate diseases and complications, help with pain, treat infection and support people with foot complications associated with long-term conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis and poor circulation.
Podiatrists regularly work in teams with other healthcare professionals. They coordinate care across a range of settings, including GP surgeries, patients’ homes, and hospitals to make sure patients get the best care wherever they are.
Why become a Podiatrist
Podiatry offers an exciting and varied career option, with plenty of opportunities to specialise, develop and grow your skillset.
Podiatrists have a huge impact on their patients, improving mobility, relieving pain, and helping with overall foot health. Choosing Podiatry as a career path could see you make a big difference to people’s lives.
Podiatry combines a specialist focus with high demand. There is currently a national shortage of Podiatrists in both NHS and private practice. As our population ages and lives with more long-term health conditions, there is a growing need for more professionals in this area. This means employment prospects are very strong for Podiatrists.
As a Podiatrist, you have the option of working either in the NHS and privately – or you can decide to pursue both of these routes. You could be working in private practices, hospitals, clinics, sports medicine facilities, and more.
You’ll earn a competitive salary, especially as you grow in experience, and you’ll find that you are always learning. Podiatry offers extensive opportunities for professional development.
How do I become a Podiatrist?
Podiatry offers an exciting and varied career option, with plenty of opportunities to specialise, develop and grow your skillset.
Podiatrists have a huge impact on their patients, improving mobility, relieving pain, and helping with overall foot health. Choosing Podiatry as a career path could see you make a big difference to people’s lives.
Podiatry combines a specialist focus with high demand. There is currently a national shortage of Podiatrists in both NHS and private practice. As our population ages and lives with more long-term health conditions, there is a growing need for more professionals in this area. This means employment prospects are very strong for Podiatrists.
As a Podiatrist, you have the option of working either in the NHS and privately – or you can decide to pursue both of these routes. You could be working in private practices, hospitals, clinics, sports medicine facilities, and more.
You’ll earn a competitive salary, especially as you grow in experience, and you’ll find that you are always learning. Podiatry offers extensive opportunities for professional development.
Find out more about our Podiatry course via the link below:
MSc Podiatry (Pre-Registration)
Is My Previous Degree Relevant?
Our applicants tend to have studied Higher Education courses in Natural Sciences, Psychology, and Sport Sciences. These courses make a perfect entry point to Podiatry and this course is a great fit for these graduates to complement their skills and knowledge. Equally, we are happy to consider those with a prior degree in a range of subjects.
If you’re unsure whether you have the right previous experience, please do get in touch with our friendly Admissions team by emailing admissions@aecc.ac.uk.
Course Leader: Simon Otter, Associate Professor in Podiatry
Simon is an Associate Professor in Podiatry with over 20 years in the profession. He worked as a Podiatrist in the NHS for nine years, specialising in high-risk foot care, nail surgery and musculoskeletal medicine, before taking up an academic teaching post in Podiatry at the University of Brighton.
Simon was part of the team that provided Podiatry care for the London 2012 Olympic/Paralympic Games and each year volunteers as part of the medical team at the London Marathon. He has been the Podiatry Advisor to Arthritis Care, and the England men’s senior blind football team.
Simon went on to lead the Podiatry department, before moving to New Zealand to undertake a post-doctoral research fellowship.
Prior to moving to AECC, Simon co-designed and validated the first accelerated, pre-registration MSc Podiatry in the UK and helped validate the first ever Apprenticeship for Podiatrists in the UK.
Additional Funding
Students studying for a recognised Allied Health Profession qualification may be entitled to apply for additional funding from the NHS Learning Support Fund.
This fund provides supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system, and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. This funding is not means-tested and is a grant rather than a loan, so the majority of students will not need to pay it back when they start work in the future.
Students studying Podiatry can get a grant of £6,000 per year. There are also additional amounts available to cover child care and extra costs such as travel and accommodation whilst you are on placement. This fund is run by NHS Business Services but is only available to students who are eligible for a loan from the Student Loan Company.
Our Facilities
Our facilities include a fully fitted state-of-the-art Podiatry Clinic that functions as both a learning space for our students and a real-world clinic for patients at our Integrated Rehabilitation Centre.
As part of the wider multidisciplinary clinical team at the AECC UC, our Podiatry Clinic benefits greatly from the expertise and collaboration of other healthcare specialists, rehabilitators, and state-of-the-art facilities onsite.
Need to see a Podiatrist?
Our Clinical & Rehabilitation Services are here to help people move forward in their care.
Visit our Podiatry clinic for a comprehensive range of services and treatments to help you achieve optimal foot and ankle health. Our expert podiatrists are here to assist you with all of your foot and ankle needs, from routine care to minor surgery and even specialized treatments for high-risk patients.
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