Skip to main content

Podiatry (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

    • How to apply

    Note: Prospective apprentices must consult with their employers to initiate the application.

    Undergraduate Open Days
    Undergraduate Open Days
    {{menu.previous.name}}
    {{menu.center.name}}
    {{menu.next.name}}

    Overview

    This apprenticeship course has been designed to provide the opportunity to study Podiatry BSc(Hons) whilst being employed within a Podiatry team. During the apprenticeship you’ll have the opportunity to build the knowledge and skills you need whilst learning in specialist clinical facilities. We aim to provide you with the skills to improve the mobility and quality of life of your patients.

    • You’ll have the opportunity to gain vital experience using our fully equipped on-site podiatry clinic, surgical theatre suite, biomechanics gait analysis equipment and orthotics laboratory.
    • Clinical placements will be undertaken each year, where you can put what you’ve learnt to the test in the real world.
    • The course helps to prepare you for working as part of a multidisciplinary team, as you’ll take part in interprofessional learning alongside physiotherapists, occupational therapists and pharmacy students.
    • You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.
    • You’ll have the opportunity to qualify with a certificate in local anaesthesia and prescription only medicines (POMs) annotation.

    In line with the apprenticeship model, whilst undertaking the course you’ll remain employed by your host organisation and during term time you’ll spend 40% of the time in your current workplace and the remaining 60% at the University undertaking theoretical and practical skills development. The course is designed to be progressively demanding and once qualified you’ll will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

    If you’re thinking of studying an apprenticeship course or are an employer looking for an apprenticeship for your employees, you’ll also find useful information on our Degree Apprenticeship webpages.

    Entry requirements

    BBB at A Level .

    Merit in T Level

    DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

    • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.
    • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 30 at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit.
    • NVQ Level 3 Diploma or higher with clinical experience.

    In addition you must be employed in healthcare and supported to undertake the course by your employer. You must have GCSE English Language or Literature and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme or Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths and English or a minimum of 12 credits for English and 12 credits for Maths at Level 2 within an Access to Higher Education Diploma or equivalent.

    • You'll normally have completed some level 3 study within the last 6 years.
    • You need to demonstrate an understanding of the profession.
    • Applicants with a minimum of 2 years' experience working as a Podiatry Assistant, Foot Care Assistant or Foot Health Practitioner, who have also completed an appropriately recognised course as part of their qualifications will be considered for interview.
    • Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record.
    • You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration. We arrange these as part of the application process. You'll be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination.
    • If you have alternative qualifications you may wish to contact us for advice before applying.

    If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

    Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

    Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Clinical Podiatry 1

    This module aims to provide you with clinical experience of the fundamental techniques used in podiatric care and an understanding of the principles on which therapeutic interventions are based. Through supervised clinical sessions in the University's Podiatry Clinic and a four week NHS placement you'll focus on the practical application of psychomotor skills including scalpel work, nail care, health promotion and manufacture of clinical padding, strapping and insoles fabricated in the orthotic laboratory.

    Lower Limb Structure and Function

    This module introduces you to the anatomy of the lower limb and helps you to develop an understanding about different anatomical structures and their function in walking, including bones, joints, muscles and tendons. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and recognition of anatomical structures, as well as your understanding of gait.

    Medicine 1

    You'll have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and understanding of homeostasis and the major organ systems of the human body. You'll also have the chance to gain the ability to demonstrate knowledge of core pathologies relevant to podiatric practice, which will enable you to put the module theory into clinical practice. Teaching will be delivered through interactive lectures, spot tests and online tutorial support.

    Podiatric Theory 1

    Through a combination of lectures and seminars you'll be introduced to a range of podiatric conditions which are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Completion of this module in addition to Clinical Practice 1 and Medicine 1 currently fulfils the College of Podiatry requirements for qualification as a podiatry assistant.

    Professional Development and Research 1

    This module involves a multidisciplinary learning approach, where you'll work with occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry students. You'll have the opportunity to explore lifelong learning and continuing professional development that underpins the essential skills needed in order to understand registration requirements for your specific professional and regulatory body.

    Core modules:

    Clinical Podiatry 2

    You’ll have the opportunity to assess and manage a wide variety of podiatric conditions in the University’s Podiatry Clinic and during a four week practice placement. You’ll complete practical classes to develop your neurological and vascular assessment skills, whilst orthotic sessions provide you with an opportunity to practically explore the prescription and manufacture of custom orthoses.

    Introduction to Musculoskeletal Podiatry

    This module helps you to build on your knowledge of the fundamentals of the structure and function of the lower limb. You'll explore various pathologies/injuries and different methods of assessing them to establish a cause and reasonable management plan. This module provides the opportunity for you to develop your skills in musculoskeletal care which you'll encounter throughout your podiatric careers.

    Medicine 2

    The podiatric implications of general medical conditions and their pharmaceutical management will be studied in greater detail. You'll gain knowledge of prescription only medications for use in practice, practical skills in administering local anaesthetic agents and consider in-depth how these are applied in clinical work.

    Research 2

    This module provides the opportunity to build on your knowledge of research from Year 1 and prepares you to undertake an area of research in Year 3. You’ll explore data collection and analysis in relation to methods which are currently used in research and evaluation of practice.

    Core modules:

    Clinical Podiatry 3

    You'll have the opportunity to further develop your practical skills, preparing you to become a registered podiatrist with the Health and Care Professions Council. You'll diagnose and treat a wide variety of podiatric conditions in the University’s Podiatry Clinic and during a six week practice placement. You'll reflect on your clinical experiences to improve your assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills.

    Podiatry and the High Risk Patient

    Through a combination of lectures, workshops, university clinics and day placements, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the management of the high risk podiatry patient. The module will enable you to develop theoretical knowledge and apply this knowledge via assessment and management of patients with complex underlying medical conditions which effect the lower limb.

    Principles of Contemporary Practice

    The aim of this module is to facilitate your exploration and learning about contemporary podiatric practice. Modern podiatric practice encompasses many areas of specialist work which you will continue to develop throughout your professional career following registration. This will include the core elements of practice that underpin your work such as theories of evidence based practice and healthcare ethics.

    Research 3

    This is a multidisciplinary module which follows on from Research 2. You'll undertake a small scale research project in a group to gain experience of real world research processes. You’ll carry forward your proposal from Research 2 and undertake qualitative, quantitative, audit or literature based research. You’ll be supervised by an academic member of staff and have the opportunity to develop you group working skills.

    Teaching, learning and assessment strategies are designed to offer you a variety of teaching, learning and assessment opportunities that align with your module learning outcomes, and offer realistic and effective preparation for progression in Podiatry.

    Learning and teaching is delivered through seminars, group work, practical experience, lectures staff or learner lead tutorials, case-based tutorials, virtual learning, role play, reflection, clinical practice and placement. Learner-centred learning is used throughout the course and modules are designed to embed transferable skills and allow you to progressively increase your knowledge and confidence. Your studies will also be supported by the University's virtual learning environment.

    The assessment methods for this course are varied and include a combination of coursework, practice-based assessment and examinations. The nature of the assessment varies from module to module, and mirrors the modes of communication expected of graduates in this field for example to demonstrate your abilities of critical analysis and decision making.

    At the end of the course there is an End Point Assessment (EPA), which is integrated into the course and verified at the course assessment board. The purpose of the EPA is to assess the values, skills, knowledge and behaviours of the apprentice as set out in the apprenticeship standard to confirm that the apprentice is occupationally competent.

    Full-time or part-time study

    You can choose to study this course on a full or part-time basis. Our part-time students attend modules at the same time as our full-time students, alongside the standard full-time timetable. This course is not available to study on a part-time basis on an evening, at the weekend, or via distance learning.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    Placements are a compulsory element of the course and take place in a range of different NHS settings. You'll undertake 435 hours on placement throughout the duration of the course. The placements will provide you with:

    • Orientation to the NHS and introduction to podiatry in the NHS.
    • Supervised work providing treatment of patients requiring footcare assistant level care.
    • A wider range of clinical practice experience to include an overview of the roles of other healthcare practitioners.
    • Supervised management of patients requiring complex interventions in a range of treatment locations, including those patients deemed to be at risk or those whose environment create additional risk.

    Please note that you may be required to travel for/during your placements.

    Podiatry Clinic.
    Students treat patients in the Podiatry Clinic.
    Orthotics Lab.
    Gaitrite helps identify patients foot problems.
    Sidas Lightbox examines pressure under the foot.
    Amfit Digitaliser enables insoles to be made.
    Student manufacturing orthotic devices in the lab.
    State-of-the-art Podiatry Clinic on campus.
    Students leading patient care through to referral
    Collaborative learning with pharmacy students
    Student Podiatrist using expert skills.
    Experience complex care under expert supervision.
    Student supported by experienced clinicians.

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

    Discover the job roles our graduates are working in now.

    Professional links and accreditation

    Recognised connections to give you an extra edge when you graduate.

    Inspiring Graduate

    Get inspired by real students and their careers.

    Careers advice

    Check out the personalised guidance we offer you.

    Student Support

    Discover all the support available so you can thrive.

    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    When you enrol as an apprentice learner of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and our disciplinary procedure. It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to them when you join us as an apprentice. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to.

    Although we always try and ensure we deliver our courses as described, sometimes we may have to make changes for the following reasons:

    Changes to a course you have applied for but not yet started

    If we propose to make a major change to an apprenticeship course that you have applied for, then we will tell you and your employer as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Although we always try and run all the courses we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or delay your course start date if we consider this reasonably necessary, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you and your employer as soon as reasonably possible. In such instances, we will work with you and your employer to agree a deferred start date, or cancel your application and, if appropriate, provide information regarding other local apprenticeship providers.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as an apprentice

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change is a change that materially changes the services available to you, or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days, classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the requirements of an updated version of the apprenticeship standard relevant to your course; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you and your employer as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered or claiming an interim award and exiting the University.

    If a major change affects your course, we will notify you and your employer as soon as possible and will carry out suitable consultation with affected apprentices. If you and your employer reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment we will work with both of you to try to find an appropriate solution. Where one cannot be found we will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring your remaining apprenticeship learning to another training provider if you and your employer wish to do so.

    Termination of employment

    As your employer is funding your apprenticeship course, you must remain in relevant employment for the duration of the course until you have completed your end point assessment. Under the apprenticeship rules, if you are made redundant and you have completed 75% of the practical period or have less than 6 months left, then you may complete the course. Otherwise, unless you find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date you are made redundant, then you will be withdrawn from the course.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University. The ESFA is the principal regulator for your apprenticeship course.

    You may also be interested in...

    Podiatry BSc(Hons)

    Full-time

    Undergraduate

    Gain the skills and knowledge to become a successful podiatrist featuring specialist facilities and clinical placements.

    Find out more How to apply
    View more courses