Overview
Qualified podiatrists are currently in high demand in both the NHS and private settings. This two-year pre-registration Masters degree is the ideal way to build on your previous studies and embark on a rewarding career making a difference to patients’ lives.
Through a mix of clinical skills classes, problem-based seminars and 1,000 hours of placement learning, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose and treat a variety of complaints associated with the foot and leg. Alongside exploring the biomechanics of movement, the effects of injury and how different illnesses can affect the health of the foot and leg, you’ll develop your clinical reasoning and collaboration skills, ready to practice a person-centred model of care.
As a student with us, you’ll benefit from placements within our on-site podiatry clinic, as well as in private practice and NHS services, giving you valuable experience of different working environments. Together with the unrivalled expertise of our teaching staff and world-class facilities, you’ll have access to everything you need to prepare for professional HCPC registration as a podiatrist when you graduate.
Course Details
What you will learn on the course？
As primary contact practitioners, graduates from the course will possess sound clinical reasoning skills and the ability to act autonomously and independently in a modern, collaborative healthcare environment. Graduates will leave ready to join the HCPC to register as podiatrists. You will develop your knowledge of human anatomy and physiology from previous studies and add to this pathology, pharmacology, anaesthetics, surgery, public health, research methods and how to apply research to clinical care.
How the course is taught
This intensive course is taught through a combination of theory, skills development and placement. Learn through a mix of clinical skills classes, problem-based seminars and placement whilst developing research knowledge and the principals of evidence-based practice. You will also have access to a variety of online materials and literature through our dedicated learning services.
This two-year Pre-registration Masters degree will give you the knowledge and skills required to assess, diagnose and treat a variety of complaints associated with the foot and leg. You will learn about the biomechanics of movement; the effects of injury and how different illnesses can affect the health of the foot and leg.
The MSc Podiatry (Pre-registration) degree is designed for graduates with a degree in a relevant subject area who want to obtain both a professional and academic qualification in this challenging and rewarding career.
Placement
Placements will be a mandatory requirement of the course allowing graduates to apply their learning from the classroom to real life patients. Placements will be sourced from local NHS trusts, private providers and through onsite clinical service provision.
Through 1000 hours of placement learning you will see patients in different settings including our onsite Podiatry clinic, private practice and NHS services. This will give you experience of a number of different working environments and a breadth of experience, preparing you for professional registration as a podiatrist.
For more information see our Course Specifications.
Career Prospects
- Upon graduation you will be eligible to apply for HCPC registration as a podiatrist
- NHS podiatrists can work in hospitals, community clinics or in patients’ homes as part of a wider team of health professions including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and dietitians
- Podiatrist in private practice may work as a salaried or self-employed clinician or may run their own practice employing others
- There is currently a need for more podiatrists in both the NHS and private settings so whatever route you choose to take, there will be employment opportunities
NHS Health Careers – Life as a podiatrist
Why study Podiatry at AECC University College?
- We are well known for our expertise in musculoskeletal care education with highly skilled academic and clinical staff
- Gain 1000+ hours of clinical experience in our onsite multidisciplinary clinical facilities and from local placements providers
- We are one of only a handful of Universities in the UK teaching this degree
- We are a small and specialist health sciences university with over 50 years’ experience delivering health science degrees
- Study under expert guidance in a multidisciplinary and collaborative community of like-minded individuals all either learning, teaching, researching or practicing health sciences
Unit Breakdown
Units 
Units
- Foundations of Podiatric Practice
- MSK Disorders of the Foot and Lower Limb
- Medicine and Surgery for Podiatric Practice
- Research Methods in Health Science
- Clinical Placement I
- Chronic and Complex Patient Management
- Professionalism and Social Responsibility in Healthcare
- Dissertation
- Clinical placement 2
Staff
Course Leader
Simon Otter
Associate Professor in Podiatry
Simon Otter is an Associate Professor in Podiatry with over 20 years in the profession, with a keen interest in rheumatology with experience of musculoskeletal foot complaints.
Full bio
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Essential requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 (Hons) degree in any discipline other than podiatry.
Where the undergraduate degree is not in a science or healthcare discipline, evidence of study in science, ideally biology, behavioural science, health professional education and/or research methodology should be demonstrated. This may include access courses, A levels, or Open University courses.
Is there anything else that’s required?
Is there anything else that’s required?
If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.
To gain a place on the course applicants must also successfully undergo an interview process. More information about this process will be provided if/when applicants are invited to the interview stage.
Enhanced DBS and Occupational Health checks including confirmation of required vaccinations.
International Students
International Students
Oversees applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in each component or equivalent.
International students will be required to pay a non-refundable £1,000 tuition fee deposit to secure their place on the course. These deposits will need to be paid by November 30th 2023 and more details will be provided in your offer email.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Applications for this course are now open.
The application deadline for this course is 30 September 2024.*
*Please note: Applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
To register your interest for the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
UK/ROI/Channel Islands
£9,250 per annum
International
£18,375 per annum
Please note that these fees are for the 2024-25 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
Additional Course Costs
- Students will be required to attend placements which will take place in NHS settings. Whilst we aim to keep student placements close to the University College campus, it may be necessary for some travel to be required. The costs associated with attending placements are the student’s responsibility and should be factored into their annual budgeting for the course.
- Students will be expected to have an electronic device on which they can access course materials. They will need a secure internet connection with enough bandwidth to stream videos and online content. Students will also be expected to purchase copies of any required textbooks and may wish to purchase their own copies of some recommended textbooks. Books are estimated to cost between £50 and £200. There are no direct printing costs, but some students may prefer to print out materials. Students may have to bear the costs of accessing articles not already accessible through our learning services, all access to articles held by our learning services is included in the yearly fee.
For more information see Additional Costs page.
More information
The Funding Clinic (Funding information for studying the allied health professions)
Should you have any questions on course fees please see our Fees and Payment Information page or contact our admissions team on the form below.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, see latest policies.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose AECC University College
There are many benefits to studying at AECC University College, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at AECC University College.
