Course summary

The Master of Podiatry is an undergraduate Master's course which provides an option to transfer to the BSc route at the end of Year Two. This four-year course will provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills that you will need to build your flexible and rewarding career as a podiatrist in the NHS or private sector. You will learn advanced practical skills on placement to allow you to develop your podiatric skills as you progress through the course. As a podiatrist you will be a healthcare professional who has been trained to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists also work with their patients to prevent and correct deformity, keeping people mobile and active, and helping to relieve pain. Podiatrists work with people of all ages, and your patients will count on you to support and help them with a broad range of mobility and medical conditions of the foot and lower limb. These may include muscular and joint problems as well as broader health issues such as diabetes, blood disorders and disorders of the nervous system, which may also involve complex wound management. The Year One modules will include introductions to anatomy and physiology. You will also study pathophysiology and microbiology, as well as beginning to learn about lower limb and foot conditions. You will be prepared for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements to allow you to become a podiatrist and to work as part of a team. This will involve you in developing key skills to allow you to begin your professional development journey as a podiatrist. In addition, to assist your transition into university level study there will be a focus on academic and research skills including essay writing and how to access information to support your learning. An early introduction to podiatry in the form of learning about clinical practice on placement provides the opportunity to allow you to integrate into the clinical environment. In Year Two you will undertake modules which explore human walking and musculoskeletal problems. You will continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to influence and facilitate behaviour change. Academic skills will be further developed by exploring how knowledge can be acquired, applied and integrated into practice. You will also learn more about medicine and pharmacology. You will continue to develop your practical skills through further supported clinical placement. Year Three modules are designed to enhance your critical thinking, research skills and further develop your knowledge of foot and ankle imaging modalities. You will be broadening your healthcare awareness and challenging your understanding of health education and promotion, as well as developing your key skills in working as part of a multidisciplinary team. You will be extending and strengthening your knowledge and skill in research. You will continue to link theory and practice during a range of clinical placement opportunities. Year Four will provide the opportunity to enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical learning to date. You will continue to develop your skills in research, professional development, and current and advanced clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life. You will explore leadership skills and innovative practice to meet contemporary healthcare challenges in podiatry. You will complete your academic learning by undertaking appropriate and focused research activities. We aim for all our graduates to be confident in their own professional identity and have the additional skills that will allow you to work as an effective multidisciplinary team member. This is the reason why we have implemented an interprofessional working focus within all of our health care courses, including this one.