School of Health Professions

BSc (Hons) Podiatry with Integrated Foundation Year

Podiatrists are experts in foot and ankle health keeping people of all ages active. Choosing to become a podiatrist will give you a broad scope of practice with a scientific approach to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with foot problems. A podiatry degree can launch a dynamic career and is a springboard to specialising in other areas of the profession such as sports medicine, injection therapy, independent prescribing, clinical research and podiatric surgery.

Progression

Students completing the BSc (Hons) Podiatry with Integrated Foundation Year course will normally progress to year 1 of BSc (Hons) Podiatry. 

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Careers with this subject
Podiatrists are specialist health practitioners responsible for the foot and lower limb. They aim to enhance the quality of life of their patients by assessing, diagnosing and treating conditions of the lower limb through minor surgery, provision of orthoses, wound care and rehabilitation of injury. Improving mobility and independence, they lead on patient care throughout the whole journey, utilising scientific research to inform treatment.
Podiatrists work with a wide range of conditions to help improve patient’s overall mobility and quality of life. These can be grouped into three main categories:
  • Sports and musculoskeletal conditions 
    Relates to the muscles and the skeleton. Disorders that podiatrists see frequently are lateral ankle sprain, chronic ankle instability, posterior tibial dysfunction, plantar fasciitis, capsulitis, motor neurone’s disease, and bursitis.
  • Complex wound care 
    Wound care helps to reduce the risk of infection and encourage the healing process. Some conditions that are seen are neuroischaemic diabetic foot ulcerations, ischaemic ulcerations, decubitus heel ulcers.
  • Systematic conditions
    Podiatrists work with a variety of systematic conditions to prevent tissue breakdown and ulceration through orthoses (insole) provisions. For example peripheral arterial disease, cerebral palsy, charcot-marie-tooth, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease and haemophilia. 
Podiatrists work with people of all ages, from the very start of life to end of life care. As a result, some conditions may be more prevalent in certain patient groups than others. Some of these patients you might see are:
Adults:
  • people in the athletic community with sports injuries
  • people with complex medical conditions such as peripheral arterial disease, diabetes type one and two, cerebral palsy, charcot-marie-tooth, rheumatoid arthritis, parkinson’s disease and haemophilia.
Children:
  • people with hypermobility syndrome
  • people requiring minor surgery for ingrown toenails
  • people with developmental musculoskeletal disorders.
Within the podiatry profession there are a multitude of job opportunities. You could work in the NHS, within the public or private sector. For example:
  • Public Health in NHS hospitals
  • Communities
  • Specialist patient groups
  • Independent practice
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Technical sales and marketing
  • Education and academia
  • Research
  • Leadership roles
  • Voluntary roles
 
Advice from graduate Jack Loveday:
"Get as much experience as you can after graduating (or before) by shadowing other practitioners and seeing how they work. I did a lot of this and found that people were generally more than happy to have people sit in on their clinics."
See the Royal College of Podiatry website for further insight.

Key features
  • Employability rates are high within the podiatry profession with potential to work in the NHS, but also as an independent practitioner, with an average starting salary of £25,655 a year (2020–21).
  • The course has been designed, and continues to be developed, by expert educationalists, service-users and carers.
  • Work-based learning is an integral part of the course and you spend 1,000 hours in clinical practice during your three years.
  • Opportunities to attend vascular ward rounds at Derriford Hospital.
  • Observe an independent practitioner working in the private sector.
  • A Ministry of Defence placement is available for high achievers.
  • Practitioners with specialist roles are invited to lecture regularly in years 2 and 3.
  • Train and practice your professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place. 
We feel that our course strongly benefits from having the views of our service-users in the development of new strategies and module design. This is achieved through our school forum where our service-users are invited to contribute to curriculum development and decision-making.
Please note: in order to successfully complete your course and be eligible to apply for a professional registration you must complete a specified number of practice placement hours along with your theoretical study. This is a requirement of the HCPC. Therefore, you will only be able to take personal holidays during the specified leave periods for your course. This includes induction week, where it is vital you attend all sessions.

Course details

  • Year 0

  • Our Integrated foundation course prepares you for the undergraduate degree in Podiatry. Taught by University lecturers on campus, you’ll be part of the University from day one. If your current qualifications don’t allow you direct entry to degree level, this course is for you. Students completing the BSc (Hons) Podiatry with Integrated Foundation Year course will normally progress to year 1 of BSc (Hons) Podiatry.

    Core modules

    • Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics (BHCS001)

      This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.

    • Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences (BHCS002)

      This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.

    • Molecules to Cells (FMD001)

      This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    • Introduction to Human Physiology (FMD002)

      This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

    • Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning) (FMD004)

      This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline

    • Learning Skills for Health and Social Care Professions (SOHP001)

      This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning and professional development.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Podiatry with Integrated Foundation Year Programme Specification 24 25 7773

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32 - 48

GCSE 
Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:  
  • English (Consideration may be given to equivalent literacy qualifications)
  • Mathematics (Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in Mathematics) 
  • Science 
Students not achieving mathematics GCSE at grade C/4 on application may be offered a free online mathematics support package and an examination equivalent to C grade GCSE to enable the achievement of appropriate entry requirements prior to commencing the programme. This examination is offered during the recruitment cycle to all eligible candidates. 
Plus suitable Level 3 qualifications or experience as outlined below: 
A level
Typical offer 32-48 points from a minimum of 2 A-levels including grade E in a Science subject. Excluding General Studies.
Applications from students with non-standard qualifications, including those without science qualifications at level 3, are welcomed and are assessed on an individual basis. This course is also suitable for those returning to study who can offer work or other related experience in place of formal qualifications and who have the equivalent of basic mathematical, English and science skills (i.e. the equivalent of a grade C/4 at GCSE level).
International Baccalaureate
24 overall to include 3 at Higher Level science subject. English and mathematics must be included.
BTEC
PPP in a science related subject.
T level
Accepted, a minimum of a Pass (D or E in the Core) = 72 points – preference pathways would be Health or Science. Typical offer will be confirmed once an application is received.
Access
Pass an Access to HE Diploma (e.g science/combined studies/natural sciences/nursing).
Other qualifications and professional experience may be considered. Interview may be required, please refer to institution for individual consideration.
English language
We are aware of the various education systems throughout the world and make offers based on equivalent qualifications to those listed in our entry requirements. You should be able to possess the ability to study in the English language and be familiar with this in a scientific context. To that end, we ask for a minimum IELTS score of at least 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each section.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 
Extended entry requirements
You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home N/A £9,250
International N/A £18,100
Part time (Home) N/A £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.
NHS bursaries are available from stage 1 of BSc (Hons) Podiatry, for more information please see the BSc (Hons) Podiatry course page.

Additional costs

Placements
All students within the School of Health Professions will spend time in placements away from university. The South West is a largely rural region, which often requires students to travel longer and further distances than may be expected when universities are in largely urban areas. In many cases, students will stay away from home for the duration of that placement. Some students on these courses are eligible for reimbursement of additional travel and accommodation costs over normal daily travel costs. This support is part of the Learning Support Fund administered through the NHS Business Services Authority. However, this should be investigated by the student to make sure this applies to their chosen course of study.
It is difficult to give a precise estimate of placement costs for each individual programme, due to the geographical spread of placements, and duration. However it is recommended you attend an Open Day to find out more about what placement costs can be anticipated or discuss placement with a member of our admissions teams.
Despite these costs, placements offer an excellent opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners and are recognised as an essential part of students' development towards becoming a registered practitioner.
Further information
More details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are included in Faculty of Health additional costs. 

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
Apply for this course on the UCAS website.
For more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 31 May 2024 for entry in September 2024. 
All NHS funded professional courses are required to select and interview their applicants using a ‘values based’ approach. As part of this process, your UCAS personal statement requires this additional information, which will demonstrate insight into your understanding of the importance of NHS values in your chosen professional discipline.

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More information about studying with us

Further useful information about:
  • our locations – where you'll be studying
  • additional checks and screening for students
  • the NHS Constitution
  • our peer assisted learning scheme.
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Your placements. Podiatry student on placement.

Your placements

“Placements were an excellent way to get experience in clinical situations, allowing me to really develop my clinical skills and knowledge. Being able to work in a number of different Trusts also meant that I got to see lots of different types of practice and observe different ideas which I was then able to learn from and use myself when I started working.”
Zoe Boulton, Podiatry Graduate 
You will have to achieve 1000 hours of work-based learning which will be spread across the three years.