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LOCATION
Stratford Campus
Location Fees and Funding
Here's the fees and funding information for each year of this course
Overview
Podiatrists study the structure and function of the whole body and specialise in the foot, ankle and lower limb.
On graduating, you will be a qualified healthcare professional making your own clinical decisions. You will be ready to work alone or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver preventative care, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of problems affecting the lower limb.
You will be taught about anatomy, physiology and pathology, and how the body reacts to illness and injury but always with a special focus on foot and lower limb problems.
One of the distinctive features of this course is the vast amount of practical experience it gives you. Under supervision, you'll start seeing patients at the start of the second term of your first year in our on-site Clinical Education Centre. You will also undertake clinical placements within National Health Service clinics across London and the east of England, beginning towards the end of your first year.
What can you do with a podiatry degree? Visit the Royal College of Podiatry for more information.
Applicants are required to complete an enhanced occupational health assessment to ensure that you are occupationally fit to work in the health and social care setting and complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services check.
Please see entry requirements or more details.
Please note:
This course has mandatory placements within the NHS where you will come in contact with high risk and vulnerable patients and you are therefore strongly advised to ensure you are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 prior to starting the course.
What makes this course different
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
This three year course gives you the scientific knowledge you will need to qualify as a podiatrist as well as showing you how taking the appropriate action can prevent foot-related disease and disability.
Your first year concentrates on the normal working of the body and the main core skills of podiatry. In year two you'll gain an understanding of the common pathologies affecting the foot and lower limb and how to manage them. In year three, you will concentrate on complex cases and the decision-making that underlies management planning.
You will learn about the important diseases that can affect the foot, such as diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. You'll have the chance to engage with specialist clinics via your placement experiences, which will allow you to put your learning into context.
We will teach you how to undertake nail surgery using local anaesthetic so you can competently carry out these procedures upon graduation and also give you the chance to observe podiatric surgeons at work. Many of our students' study for postgraduate qualifications to become podiatric surgeons.
The 1,000 hours of clinical practice you will achieve through working at our in-house clinic and at outside placements will make you highly employable on graduation.
In fact, 90 per cent of our graduates end up in a clinical position within six months of graduating.
The approximate amount of hours for this course are:
- Year 1: scheduled teaching - 445 hours; guided independent study - 650 hours; clinical placement - 105 hours
- Year 2: scheduled teaching - 352 hours; guided independent study - 514 hours; clinical placement - 350 hours
- Year 3: scheduled teaching - 186 hours; guided independent study - 666 hours; clinical placement - 420 hours
DOWNLOAD COURSE SPECIFICATIONS
COURSE SPECIFICATION - Podiatry
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MODULES
- Core Modules
Podiatric Practice 1 ClosePodiatric Practice 1
Introduction to the clinic
Introduction to professional practice
This module will introduce you to the clinical environment and to podiatric clinical practice. It will allow you to start to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to practice as a professional in a safe environment. The module will be a mix of classroom and clinical sessions and you will be facilitated by experienced HCPC registered Podiatrists.
Podiatric Anatomy and Physiology 1 ClosePodiatric Anatomy and Physiology 1
This module will provide you with a foundation for clinical practice as a podiatrist. The module will provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the science related to the function of the human body. The module will address how the structure of the body complements its function; it will address the relationship of body organ systems and explore how the body is able to maintain homeostasis.
Podiatric Pathology ClosePodiatric Pathology
This module will introduce you to how the body defends itself against the environment. The module will also introduce pathology which is the study of disease and will look at some of the common podiatric pathologies which will affect the skin.
Practice based learning 1 ClosePractice based learning 1
This module will include patient contact for the first time; first within the UEL clinical setting and then on a week placement within an NHS podiatry department. It will allow you to start to expand upon the skills and knowledge you learnt in PT4213 under the guidance of your university lecturers and practise based clinical educators.
Podiatric Anatomy and Physiology 2 ClosePodiatric Anatomy and Physiology 2
This module will further your study of anatomy, functional anatomy and physiology. It will look at how anatomy and physiology combine to allow for human movement in the context of gait and introduce basic orthotic theory.
- Core Modules
Podiatric Practice 2 ClosePodiatric Practice 2
This module will allow you to develop your clinical assessment, diagnostic and treatment skills for foot and lower limb conditions commensurate with clinical podiatry practice at level 5. You will facilitate and develop opportunities for reflective and clinical reasoning skills. You will evaluate the evidence base for podiatric modalities.
Podiatric Pathology 2 ClosePodiatric Pathology 2
This module will help to further your understanding of physiological processes underpinning function and to appreciate the pathophysiology of disease processes. It will help to advance your theoretical knowledge underpinning clinical practice and to introduce an evidence informed approach to clinical practice.
Practice Based Learning 2 ClosePractice Based Learning 2
This module will continue to provide you with the opportunity to develop and advance your skills and understanding of podiatric practice. The module consists of two 5-week placements in NHS podiatry departments.
Research Methods CloseResearch Methods
In this module you will develop an understanding of some of the methodologies commonly used so that you may contribute to the design of appropriate investigations and to an evaluation of the likely limitations and possible implications of the completed study. (These will include qualitative research methodologies, e.g. ethnography and phenomenology, as well as quantitative, e.g. the cross-sectional survey, case control and cohort studies, and the double-blind randomised controlled trial).
The module will develop your ability to organise, analyse and interpret data so that you may draw your own conclusions and may check whether researchers' claims appear to be reasonable and/or offer a distorted representation of the evidence.
You will develop an understanding of some of the questions commonly asked so that you may contribute intelligently to the collection of service-related data and be ready to modify your thinking and amend practice accordingly. (These will include questions about the cause of a condition, the relative efficacy of alternative interventions, and the relative cost of alternative modes of delivery, but they will also include questions about the effect of practice on outcome, the extent to which professional standards have been implemented, the management, evaluation, and improvement of performance, and the satisfaction of patients).
Podiatric Pharmacology ClosePodiatric Pharmacology
This module will allow you to develop professionally focused knowledge and theories for prescription only medicines - administration (POM-A) and prescription only medicines – sale/supply (POM-S) in podiatric practice, in accordance to the Health Professionals Council (HPC) standards. The module will also develop your ability to rationalise the pharmacological management of medical and surgical patients; including the indications for use, contraindications, interactions and adverse reactions of relevant POM-S and POM-A.
Musculoskeletal Podiatry CloseMusculoskeletal Podiatry
This module will enable you to develop a critical appreciation of the role of abnormal musculoskeletal function in the pathogenesis of common foot pathologies. It will also develop your understanding of the assessment tools used in the evaluation of foot and lower limb musculoskeletal function and enable you to develop critical appreciation of the management of a range of musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the foot.
- Core Modules
Research Governance and Leadership CloseResearch Governance and Leadership
In this module you will discuss the relationship between political, economic, technical, environmental and legal factors influencing practice (PESTEL) and the delivery of high quality packages of patient services. The module will provide you with the knowledge, skills and attitudes in order to understand complex originations and systems of work; manage and facilitate change; and analyse your own employability competencies and career management skills and outline your future development either in employment or enterprise.
Specifically this module will
- Advance your understanding of research methodologies in the clinical setting and enable you to design a research project/research proposal
- Develop an understanding of organisation, analysis and interpretation of data; preparing you to assess the implications of research and evaluation for professional practice and use research in the development and advancement of professional practice e.g. audit, service evaluation, patient satisfaction
- Finally, this module will help you to provide evidence of your development of personal skills and ethical qualities required when conducting research/practice evaluation.
Practice-Based Learning 3 ClosePractice-Based Learning 3
This module is your penultimate 5-week placement with an NHS podiatry department. You will be able to continue to advance your clinical skills and ability to work as a professional before the final placement. You should be working with high risk patients and within more complex scenarios. The module provides you with the opportunity to develop competence in, and understanding of, podiatry skills and the process of clinical reasoning and reflection. The module also provides an opportunity to continue the process of professional socialisation and prepare for professional employment.
Podiatric Practice 3 ClosePodiatric Practice 3
On this module you will explore areas of established and emerging podiatry practice with the aim of challenging you to critically reflect on and discuss your professional practice considering future employment. The module will provide you with the opportunity to further develop your ability to practice effectively and independently within the clinical setting preparing you to take up the role of an independent and autonomous practitioner.
Complex Patients 1 CloseComplex Patients 1
This module will primarily focus on the management of the patient with complex medical needs that put the foot at risk of ulceration and potential amputation. On this module you will develop the knowledge gained in level 5 podiatric pathology and consider the impact of systemic disease on the foot and how the podiatrist, as well as other health professionals in the MDT, will manage the patient. Although the main emphasis will be on diabetes, you will discuss the aspects of wound assessment and wound care that is applicable to many other vascular and neuropathic conditions. Alongside these podiatry-specific topics, you will also develop some further skills in learning how to evaluate podiatric-specific evidence presented in research articles so that you can extract and present data in a meaningful way. Expert clinicians will be involved in the presentation of the information.
Complex Patients 2 CloseComplex Patients 2
This module will focus on some of the specialisms in podiatry, establishing the role of the podiatric specialist in the musculoskeletal management of the complex patient. On this module you will build upon the theoretical biomechanical knowledge of level 5 and consider the assessment and management of the complex patient such as the paediatric patient, podiatric sports injuries, patients with neurological disease. You will also build upon the pathology module of level 5, progressing your ability to assess and manage patients with rheumatic conditions. To support these topic areas, the use of radiological imaging and surgical management options will be included. The evidence-base supporting the management of the patient will be emphasised in all areas and critical evaluation skills developed enabling you to enter professional life being able to analyse and act upon new research, continually looking to enhance the assessment and management of the patient.
Practice Based Learning 4 ClosePractice Based Learning 4
This module is your final 5-week placement with an NHS podiatry department. You will be able to continue to advance your clinical skills and ability to work as a professional before graduation. This module acts as a transition from the university environment to the work environment.
HOW YOU'LL LEARN
We're known for our 'learning by doing' approach rather than teaching you by lectures and seminars alone. That means you'll have access to practical experience from early on in your course, giving you the chance to learn at first hand from NHS clinicians. You will also have opportunities to visit London hospitals specialising in related areas such as diabetes, podopaediatrics and vascular disease.
You'll enjoy superb facilities at our Stratford campus. Our on-site clinic is purpose-built and has its own nail surgery suite. There's also a gait analysis and human motor performance lab and an orthotics manufacturing lab, making external devices such as insoles.
You will be encouraged to solve problems, reflect on the different treatment options open to you and to take responsibility for your own learning.
You will work closely with the podiatry teaching team, benefitting from an excellent staff-to-student ratio. All our staff will offer fantastic support and we will facilitate the placements needed to complete your 1,000 hours of clinical practice.
You will work hard while on this course. You can expect to work a nine-to-five day, five days a week during placements. That's exactly why our graduates are so highly sought after.
After graduating, you can apply for full membership of the Royal College of Podiatry and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.
HOW YOU'LL BE ASSESSED
The module assessments have been designed to be inclusive and enable you to demonstrate the learning outcomes for each module and cumulatively the overall programme learning outcomes. A wide variety of assessment strategies will be used in order to promote your learning, including practical OSCEs, vivas, coursework, online assessments and presentations. As this is a professional clinical course, the emphasis is on face-face assessments.
- Year 1: Coursework 67%; Practical / oral exam 33%
- Year 2: Clinical Placement 17%; Coursework 33%; Written exam 28%; Practical / oral exam 22%
- Year 3: Clinical Placement 33%; Coursework 30%; Practical / oral exam 37%
You'll always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
CAMPUS and FACILITIES

Stratford Campus, Water Lane, Stratford
WHO TEACHES THIS COURSE
The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.
What we're researching
At the University of East London we are working on the some of the big issues that will define our future; from sustainable architecture and ethical AI, to health inequality and breaking down barriers in the creative industries.
Our students and academics are more critically engaged and socially conscious than ever before. Discover some of the positive changes our students, alumni and academics are making in the world.

The Podiatry course at UEL enabled me to get my dream job before graduating! Treating NHS patients in UEL's equipped clinic allowed me to gain an insight of podiatry in the real world. My clinical skills and NHS values were further enhanced during various block placements undertaken in London as part of podiatry teams. UEL is the perfect place to start a career in podiatry, it opens a world of opportunities for you."
Daud Abdirahman
Podiatry, BSc (Hons)
JOANNA - #BETHENEXT
#bethenext video showing Joanna Woollard talking about her experience at UEL completing the BSc (Hons) Podiatry course.
YOUR FUTURE CAREER
The ultimate aim of the course is to prepare you for a career in podiatry as a qualified healthcare professional making your own clinical decisions.
We've designed the course to reflect the employment opportunities open to qualified podiatrists and to make sure your degree gives you a head start in the job market. Many of our students have landed jobs in the same organisations where they undertook clinical placements.
One of the advantages of a degree in podiatry is the career choice available to you when you graduate. You could go on to work within the NHS or in private practice.
If you choose the NHS route, in a fairly typical career progression you would move from entry-level podiatrist to specialist podiatrist and then to team leader.
Alternatively, you might find yourself working in a retail outlet or private hospital or even abroad. Some of our graduates go on to pursue careers in research and lecturing. A podiatrist's scope of practice is broad and there are many exciting career opportunities to investigate including some very specialist posts such as a forensic podiatrist, examining footprints in criminal investigations; working as part of multidisciplinary teams with vascular specialists or in joint clinics with other allied health professionals, such as physios or occupational therapists.
Whatever direction you choose, you will be in a great position to find employment. With relatively few UK universities offering undergraduate podiatry courses, you will find yourself among an elite group of practitioners.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.