Podiatry - BSc (Hons) Degree

The BSc (Hons) Podiatry degree is a full and comprehensive three-year programme, enabling students to develop reasoning, analytical and practical and leadership skills throughout their studies, with specific course content as follows:

Year One:

• Theory of Podiatric Practice (20 credits)
• Integrated Podiatric Practice (40 credits)
• Research and Governance for Podiatric Practice (20 credits)
  
• Professional and Interprofessional Development 1 (20 credits)
  
• Anatomy and Physiology (20 credits)
  

The first year of the course provides you with a firm foundation in subjects which are core to the podiatry profession, such as anatomy and physiology, common podiatric pathologies, introduction to pharmacology and gait studies. Clinical education commences with pre-clinical practice that aims to prepare you with the clinical skills to begin patient contact later in the year. The emphasis is on supporting you to translate theory into practice to become confident and knowledgeable in the field of podiatry.

Year Two:

• Applied Theory of Podiatric Practice (20 credits)
• Applied Podiatric Practice (40 credits)
• Health Psychology and Wellbeing (20 credits)
• Professional and Interprofessional Development 2 (20 credits)
• Research Methods (20 credits)

In the second year of the course, the aim is to develop and apply knowledge acquired in year 1, with greater focus on topics such as diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and podiatric pharmacology and administration of local anaesthetics. You will also further explore the assessment, diagnosis and management of a range of more complex patient groups, when starting to undertake specialist clinics. 

Year Three:

• Extended Podiatric Theory (20 credits)
• Extended Podiatric Practice (40 credits)
• Health Behaviour Change (20 credits)
• Project (40 credits)

In the third year of the programme, you will have access to an extensive range of complex patients and scenarios and the opportunity to developed extended clinical skills important for future employability. The wider aspects of practising podiatry within a professional context are also considered, with a focus on employability in both the NHS and private sector, as well as developing entrepreneurship skills. There will also be an opportunity to carry out data collection and analysis as part of a research project. 

A variety of innovative and creative approaches to education are employed throughout the programme including lectures, tutorials, practical workshops and hands-on clinics. The use of skills labs involving small group work also encourages an interactive, hands-on approach to teaching more complex elements such as functional anatomy. 

The BSc (Hons) Podiatry academic staff have expertise in key areas of podiatry including the high-risk foot, wounds, diabetes, rheumatology, sports injuries and rehabilitation, podiatric surgery, nail surgery, podopaediatrics, orthotic manufacturing, administration of local anaesthetics and pharmacology. Many of our staff are research-active, with research areas of interest including screening for peripheral arterial disease, and assessment and management of patellofemoral pain; with much of this research rated as internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF). 

Clinical experience is delivered in each year of the programme, with students undertaking weekly patient clinics and block placements, culminating in the completion of 1,000 clinical hours over the duration of the course. All clinical staff are practicing podiatrists and include the podiatry academic staff, private practitioners, and NHS podiatrists, who all work within the clinical environment alongside the students. 

A collaborative approach includes local and global partnerships with industry, charities, professional bodies and practitioners offers students the experience of working in a variety of NHS and independent/private sector clinics to enhance their clinical learning experience. The wide range of clinics available to students allows access to an extensive range of patients and the opportunity to develop a broad range of clinical skills important for future employability.

Throughout the programme, you will be supported individually by year tutor, as well as with your own personal tutor who helps to guide them on their journey to becoming a podiatrist. 

Students will be assessed in a wide variety of ways throughout the programme. Assessments include essays, case reports, presentations, infographics, clinical examinations, and a research project which focuses in depth on a topic of your own choice. Written examinations are used sparingly and are limited to levels 5 and 6 of the programme. The assessments are carefully designed to enable students to develop the knowledge and capabilities which are central to working as a podiatrist. The innovative nature of some of the assessments has been praised by external examiners. The combined assessment of years two and three provide the degree classification.

Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Podiatry programme are qualified to practise as podiatrists (subject to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council after graduation). The course has a good reputation throughout the UK, and the most recent figures show that over 90% of our graduates were employed in podiatry posts six months after finishing the course. There is demand for podiatrists both in the NHS and in the private sector.

Graduates may also choose to progress to postgraduate study within the department as part of the MSc Advanced Practice (Musculoskeletal Studies) 

There are also opportunities to work abroad. 

Information on current salaries can be found here. (newly qualified podiatrists start at Band 5).

Applicants must have five GCSEs including English Language, Mathematics or Mathematics - Numeracy and Science at grade C / grade 4 or above, a recent Enhanced DBS Disclosure check, Hepatitis B and tetanus vaccinations​, plus 96 - 112 points from at least 2 A levels (or equivalent). Typical offers may include:

• 96 - 112 points from at least 2 A-levels to include grades CC, one to be in a Biological Science subject; Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject
• RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma / Cambridge Technical Extended MMM - DMM within a Biological Science subject.
• 96 - 112 points from at least 2 Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades DD, one to be in a Biological Science subject
• 96 - 112 points from the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include 3 x H2 grades, one to be in a Biological Science subject. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4
  
• 96 - 112 points from the Access to Higher Education Diploma within a Science subject covering sufficient Biology content. Access to Higher Education Diplomas are accepted in the areas of Biosciences, Health Care, Health Science and Science. A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in English language, Mathematics and Science are also required
  
• T level in a Science subject will be considered alongside a further Level 3 qualification in a Biological Science
  
• Or Cardiff Metropolitan's ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ with a pass mark of 65% or above overall with a minimum 65% in the Biological Sciences module, obtained by the 31st August in the year of entry, and on receipt of a new application through UCAS.

Please note: We will interview all eligible applicants who are studying, or have studied, an appropriate Access to Higher Education Health related Diploma; level 3 or 4 work based learning qualification or similar level 3 programme; that meets the Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies (PSRB) requirements for the programme.

If you are studying combinations of the above or if your qualification isn't listed, please either contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search for entry requirements. Further information on our entry requirements, including qualifications from the EU can be found by clicking here.

You will be expected:

a) To have arranged and undertaken your own observation of podiatrists/chiropodists at work in a clinical setting.
b) To have a basic awareness of the scope of podiatry as a profession and of the everyday work of a podiatrist.
c) To demonstrate enthusiasm for and commitment to podiatry as a career choice
d) To have a basic awareness of the demands of podiatry training

Successful applicants may be made a conditional offer of entry, which will include:
a) Obtaining any outstanding academic requirements and/or providing proof of qualifications
b) Eligibility and successful application for NHS Wales bursary funding for the course
c) Satisfactory, evidenced and prompt DBS disclosure (any convictions or cautions must be approved by the course director). Further information can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs
d) Satisfactory occupational clearance and compliance with occupational health requirements (including immunisation against Hepatitis B). Further information can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/ohq

Selection Procedure and Interviews​

Admission to this programme is subject to applicants being successful at interview.

Selection for interview is based on the information submitted on the UCAS application form. Applicants who meet the entry requirements will be invited to undertake a structured interview, which is designed to assess the values of a future NHS employee. In addition, an assessment of applicants’ communication skills and their understanding of the profession will be made.

The first interview date for 2022 entry are to be confirmed. Early applications are encouraged in order that interview invitations can be processed effectively.​

International Applicants
Students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence of fluency to at least an IELTS 6.5 standard or equivalent. For full details about how to apply and English Language qualifications please visit the International pages on the website.

How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at www.ucas.com. For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.

Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer into year 2 & 3

If you are interested in transferring credit from another institution to study at Cardiff Met for a course which accepts entry for year 2 and/or 3, you can find further information on this and information on how to apply on the RPL page. Please contact Admissions for any queries that you have on RPL.

Mature students

A mature applicant is anyone over the age of 21 who didn't go to university after school or college. Cardiff Met welcomes applications from mature applicants and further advice and information can be found here.

The Welsh Health Minister has a responsibility for NHS Wales workforce planning and for the training and development of healthcare professionals in Wales. As part of that responsibility, the University will be required to provide information on your progress during your studies. For those students who are not supported by the NHS Wales Bursary scheme, this information is anonymised as part of a statistical report which includes details relating to your progression in your studies and the outcomes that you achieve.

All healthcare students, including those who have not subscribed to NHS Wales Bursary which provides financial support for tuition fees and for some aspects of maintenance in return for their commitment to work in Wales after graduation, are eligible for support from NHS Wales in the form of reimbursement of clinical placement travel and subsistence expenses which may be claimed through the Cardiff Metropolitan University Student Services Placements Office

For more information on the NHS Bursary scheme and how to apply please click here.

For Admissions enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email: askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk​

​For course specific enquiries, please contact the Admissions tutor, Craig Gwynne:
Email: cgwynne@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Tel: 029 2041 7036