Podiatry BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  Upon completion of the BSc Podiatry course, you will be fully equipped to work within NHS, community care, private practice or establish and manage your own clinical or domiciliary practice. There are a wide range of career opportunities available both in the UK and internationally. Enhanced scope of practice opportunities are also available post-qualification, ranging from surgical pathways and prescribing; to advanced roles in musculoskeletal care, diabetes management and more.

  Our Podiatry course integrates theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience from the outset, ensuring a well-rounded and applied understanding of podiatric practice.

  • In Stage One, you’ll begin with primary clinical skill development, building foundational elements of podiatric care before putting your skills into practice within our clinical setting and subsequently undertaking a local placement to begin applying your learning to real-world settings.
  • In Stage Two, your training will include in-house orthopaedic and biomechanical clinics while building on your podiatric medicine understanding. You will continue to benefit from regular clinical placements both within our clinic, locally and nationally. This stage enhances your skills in biomechanical assessment, rehabilitation and core podiatric interventions.
  • In Stage Three, you will advance your clinical expertise through specialist clinical placements including diabetes and at-risk foot care, podiatric sports medicine and podiatric paediatrics. You will also be trained to safely and efficiently conduct select procedures under local anaesthetic. Students may also have the opportunity to treat participants at events such as the London Marathon, under the guidance of academic staff.

  Throughout the course you will have regular access to our on-site Podiatry Clinic, enabling continuous clinical exposure and progressive development as a confident, holistic practitioner. You’ll learn in a supportive environment with access to modern, fully equipped clinical facilities that reflect contemporary healthcare settings.

  Our programme aims to prepare you as a skilled, adaptable, and evidence-informed practitioner capable of working across a variety of clinical, community and private practice environments.

  If you are a previously registered allied health professional returning to practice after a career break, you can find information about financial, clinical and academic support available on the Health Education England Website.

  List of modules:

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Functional Anatomy (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD1101

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide introduction to human anatomy with reference to the foot and lower limb in support of further study of podiatry, podiatric biomechanics, pharmacology, pathology and surgery. It will also provide the student with an introduction to normal human bipedal stance and locomotion and develop competence in analysing gait.
    • Clinical Reasoning and Professional Issues (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD1109

      Status: Compulsory
      The aim of this module is to provide students with skills and understanding of professional and clinical practice within podiatry and wider healthcare settings.
    • Clinical Studies 1 (30 Credits)
      Module code: POD1110P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the clinical environment and practical skills in the assessment and management of patients.
    • Pathology (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD1111

      Status: Compulsory
      Pathology is the study of disease and provides a bridge between basic biological science and clinical medicine. The purpose of this module is to develop a foundation knowledge of pathological principles in preparation for clinical practice.
    • Physiology (30 Credits)
      Module code: POD1112

      Status: Compulsory
      To provide students with the necessary background knowledge in normal human physiology for podiatric practice.
  • Stage 2
    • Clinical Studies 2 (30 Credits)
      Module code: POD2108P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enhance clinical and practical skills within defined areas of podiatric medicine and Musculoskeletal podiatry.
    • Podiatric Medicine (30 Credits)
      Module code: POD2109

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop an understanding of disease processes to support effective, evidence-based diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the lower limb.
    • Pharmacology (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD2110

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will provide students with fundamental concepts of pharmacology relating to podiatric practice. It will equip students with the knowledge and skills to link patients? administered or supplied medication safely, within the constraints of the legal framework.
    • Musculoskeletal Podiatry (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD2111

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with key skills, concepts and knowledge of the assessment diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal foot and ankle pathologies.
    • Exploring Evidence to Inform Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD2112

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enhance students? academic research skills through critiquing local, national and/or international evidence related to socio-cultural issues relevant to professional Podiatric care. With a focus on advocacy for people across the lifespan and the wider family, students will develop a proposal for research.
  • Stage 3
    • The Foot at Risk (20 Credits)
      Module code: POD3110P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with specific theory and practical approaches to assessment and management of at risk podiatry patients. The module enhances clinical skills in this specialist area and enables students to practice safely within their scope of practice upon qualification.
    • Paediatric Podiatry (10 Credits)
      Module code: POD3111P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with specific theory and practical approaches to assessment and management of Paediatric patients. Enhancing clinical skills in a specialist area of podiatric scope of practice.
    • Advancing Clinical Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: POD3112P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide students with exposure to more advanced clinical skills and theory, and prepare them for an evolving and advanced practice workforce.
    • Sports Podiatry (10 Credits)
      Module code: POD3113P

      Status: Compulsory
      To provide students with specific theoretical and practical approaches to assessment and management of sports/athletic patients. Enhancing clinical skills in a specialist area of podiatric scope of practice.
    • Embedding Evidence to Inform Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: POD4102

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students? to use academic research to enhance current practice. Using evaluation and synthesis of local, national and/or international evidence related to socio-cultural issues relevant to professional podiatric care. Students will focus on advocacy for people across the lifespan and the wider family to present the findings of their chosen research output.

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• Placements

  Placements

  Throughout the course, you will undertake a variety of clinical placements across a range of settings, helping you build confidence, competence and adaptability as a developing podiatrist. You will also be trained to carry out selected procedures safely under local anaesthesia, in line with the current professional scope.

  You will benefit from regular clinical education and hands-on experience in our on-site Podiatry Clinic, where you will work with real patients under the supervision of experienced podiatric staff. Our busy, multidisciplinary clinics include specialist areas such as:

  • Sports and Musculoskeletal Injuries
  • Paediatrics
  • Lower Limb At-Risk Care
  • Orthopaedics and Mechanical Therapies
  • Podiatric Medicine and General Podiatry
  • Nail Surgery

  In the final year, you may also have the opportunity to take part in high-profile clinical events such as providing care to participants at the London Marathon, gaining valuable experience in acute sports injury management. Further placement opportunities include Podiatric Surgery, Kings College Hospital and High-Risk Diabetic MDT.

  As part of your second year, you may be eligible to undertake a three-week placement in an EU or international healthcare setting, allowing you to broaden your perspective and experience podiatry in a global context.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time BSc Podiatry degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your podiatry course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  How will I be assessed on the podiatry course?

  Assessment methods used on the BSc Podiatry include coursework and examinations.

  How do I become a Podiatrist?

  To become a Podiatrist in the UK, you’ll need to complete an undergraduate degree in Podiatry, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). After completion, you would need to register with the HCPC to practice as a qualified Podiatrist.

  What are the specialist teaching facilities for Podiatry?

  You will benefit from clinical placement and education at our Podiatry Clinic allowing you to put your skills into practice and gain valuable experience.

  We run busy clinics which include sports, paediatrics, at risk, orthopaedic, physical medicine, general and nail surgery.

  Our Podiatrist course aims to develop your skills through clinical activity and rigorous academic content, this combination will help to transform you into the highest quality practitioner.

   

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