BSc (Hons) Podiatry

You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the minimum entry criteria stated below to be eligible for the next stage of the application process - enquire to discuss your application further.

You must hold or be working towards achieving GCSE English Language and Maths, or equivalent Level 2 Functional Skills.

You must have a minimum of 64 UCAS tariff points accumulated from any of the following:

• A-Levels
• Access to Higher Education Diplomas
• T-Levels
• Any relevant Level 3 qualification

If you do not hold the above, you may be considered based on the following criteria:

• Successful completion of an advanced apprenticeship in clinical healthcare, or similar Level 3 apprenticeship
• A Level 6 or Level 7 qualification in a relevant subject
• A combination of study modules and relevant job experience or professional practice.

If English in not your first language, an IELTS score of over 6.5 is required in all components: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.

This programme is eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

The NHS LSF provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students. It is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration.

It is made up of the following allowances:

• Training Grant (non-income assessed) £5,000 per academic year for eligible new and continuing students.
• Specialist subject payment (non-income assessed) £1,000 for students studying a specialist subject.
• Parental Support (non-income assessed) New and continuing students with parental responsibility for at least one child may be entitled to up to £2,000 per academic year.
• Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (non-income assessed) Reimbursement of additional travel and temporary accommodation costs incurred as a result of attending a practice placement.
• Exceptional Support Fund (income-assessed) Up to £3,000 per academic year for students who find themselves in unforeseen financial hardship.

You will be supplied with all clinical instruments, clinical tunics and clinical scrubs, however, you will be required to purchase smart black trousers and plain black shoes (suitable for the clinical environment).

Our Durham School of Podiatric Medicine clinics are located offsite – transport is not provided so it is essential that you consider travel arrangements and or expenses before you apply.

NHS placements take place in a variety of clinical sites which also should be considered (you may be able to claim NHS placement travel costs back depending on your personal situation).

Vaccinations may be advised and required these could potentially incur costs.

If your application is successful, you will be required to attend an interview session.

During the interview process you will receive an overview of the course from a current member of the Podiatry team, and you will have the chance to talk to current students studying on the Podiatry programme. You may also have the opportunity to talk to an NHS manager and service user depending on their availability.

During the process you will be asked to undertake a number of small tasks throughout the morning to assess your suitability for the course and the profession (further information can be provided upon request). This will then lead to an individual one on one interview.

In preparation, you can find further information on the Royal College of Podiatry’s website.

The aim of the programme is to enable students to develop the necessary skills to become an autonomous practitioner who is able to reflect on and enhance their practice using a contemporary evidence base.

These skills are introduced in the first year and developed and employed throughout the programme, ensuring you are aware of the importance of continued professional development.

The teaching and learning in the school of Health, Life Sciences, Early Years and Education is underpinned by a teaching philosophy that encourages you to develop the knowledge and skills required to practice as a Podiatrist in the current health environment.

The programme aims to enable you to:

• Demonstrate fitness for practice, in line with recognised professional standards, through the application of heightened intellectual, analytical, and problem solving skills.
• Produce autonomous practitioners with a focus upon evidence based practice.
• Enhance the employability and career prospects of learners, equipping graduates to meet the employment demands of inter-professional working within the NHS, and as practitioners in the private sector.
• Develop critically reflective practitioners, who, advocating the philosophy of continual professional development, will continue to meet the requirements of the skill base of the local, regional, and national economy.

• Monday - 9am - 5pm
• Tuesday - 9am - 5pm
• Wednesday - 9am - 5pm
• Thursday - 9am - 5pm
• Friday - 9am - 5pm

Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.

This is a full-time programme that requires you to undertake self-directed study, and work experience in our podiatry clinics. Times and days of delivery are subject to change.

The following units will be assessed using the methods detailed below: Clinical Practice (Level 4 and 5)

• Examination (35%)
• OSPE (35%)
• Portfolio (30%).

Human Physiology

• Examination 1 (40%)
• Examination 2 (60%).

Dermatology

• Presentation (30%)
• Examination (70%).

Functional Anatomy

• Examination 1 (40%)
• Examination 2 (60%).

Research (Level 4)

• Presentation (30%)
• Assignment (70%)

Clinical Practice (Level 5)

• (Examination 35%
• OSCE 35%
• Portfolio 30%)

Podiatric Medicine

• Presentation (30%)
• Examination (70%).

Prescriptions only Medicine -Sale & Supply/Administration

• Examination 1 (40%)
• Examination 2 (40%)
• Portfolio (20%).

Musculoskeletal Pathology & Management

• Assignment 1 (20%)
• Assignment 2 (80%).

Research (Level 5)

• Assignment 1 (40%)
• Assignment 2 (60%).

Clinical Practice (Level 6)

• Examination (35%)
• Viva Voce (35%)
• Portfolio (30%).

Issues of Ageing

• Leaflet (100%).

Enhanced Practice

• Journal Article (100%).

Applied Podiatric Biomechanics

• Assignment 1 (20%)
• Assignment 2 (80%).

Research (Level 6)

• Report (80%)
• Presentation (20%).

You will have access to one-to-one academic support from our New College Durham Academic Support Team.

The programme has been designed with the needs of the local NHS Podiatry Service in mind, to ensure the programme continues to meet the requirements of a modern NHS workforce.

Guest speakers deliver sessions to further your knowledge of modules, such as applied podiatric biomechanics and clinical practice. We find this is a great way to keep content up-to-date and applicable to practice. Content typically includes a general practitioner or company representative sharing their knowledge on new and innovative products that can be used in practice.

At Level 4, you will visit your 'home' trust for an observational five day placement. The first visit is to the Podiatry department where you will be introduced to all aspects of working in a busy NHS Podiatry department, including the booking of appointments and the interface of admin and clinical staff.

At Level 5, you will visit your home trust for six single days. This placement will give you the opportunity to treat patients within the NHS settings. You will be supervised by an NHS clinical educator for the duration of your placement. You will also have a block week placement in your home trust at the end of the academic year.

At Level 6, you will undertake a one-week block placement. During this time, you will experience specialist placements which will include nail surgery, biomechanics, wound care, domiciliary and ward visits. You will carry out patient treatments at the end of your clinical studies. You will treat band 5 patients whilst being supervised by NHS clinical educators. You will be supervised by an NHS clinical educator for the duration of your placement. You will also have a block week placement in your home trust at the end of the academic year.

You will also have a one day placement with a podiatric surgeon where you will experience a patient pre-op assessment, surgery and patient discharge. You will also have the opportunity to undertake other enhanced placement opportunities.

We are one of only 13 institutions in the country to offer this degree.

Useful links:

The College of Podiatry and The Health & Care Professions Council

This programme will prepare you to enter straight into employment as a Podiatrist, with excellent career opportunities.

You will be eligible to register as a Podiatrist with The Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and become a member of the Royal College of Podiatry. Once registered you can start to practice professionally for the NHS or privately.

You may also decide to continue studying with a masters degree.