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In order to become a Health Professions Council registered practitioner, you have to undertake and pass an honours degree in Podiatry
This degree is offered at only 13 schools of podiatry within the UK. So each year the number of places is very limited.
Useful information regarding the degree programme:
The degree programme
The structure of the degree programme awarding a BSc(Hons) in Podiatry is modular. This means you are required to study each area of the course in small sections (modules) which are all assessed separately. Each year of the programme comprises of both theoretical and clinical modules. Clinical work begins in year one of most courses. Though the content of the course is more or less the same in all of the 13 schools of podiatry, the actual delivery of the material can vary considerably.
Some sessions will be classroom based others may be clinic or laboratory based. Some sessions will be lecturer led others may be student led. Some will be theoretical teaching sessions, others will be practical. You may well be spending some time away from college on work or observational placements
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Funding
The NHS and SHEFC fund all of the places on offer at the 13 schools of Podiatry. What this means for you is that your tuition fees will be paid, unlike other degree courses which require you to pay for your tuition fees.
You will also be eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary.
Depending on your personal circumstances you may be entitled to receive a bursary payment each semester to help fund your living expenses.
As a full time student you are also entitled to apply for a student loan from the Student Loans Company.
There are many other varied and unusual locations that you could find yourself in. The chance is your work will be so varied that you will end up working in a number of these environments.
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Applying for a podiatry course
Applications to all of the schools of podiatry in the U.K. have to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Application forms can usually be obtained from schools, sixth form colleges, careers offices, adult education centres or direct from UCAS e-mail app.req@ucas.ac.uk or phone 01242 223707.
The entry level qualifications vary from school to school but the following general principles apply:
School / College Leavers
• These applicants are generally required to have two A levels one of which should be science based.
• Physical Education may be considered as an alternative by some institutions.
• For those taking Scottish Highers, the general entry requirement is 3 Highers. One of which should be a science. Biology/Chemistry is often preferred.
• Students undertaking advanced GNVQ are required to study the Health and Social Care pathway and obtain a minimum of a merit pass.
• In addition to this, some schools require the student to pass A level or in some cases A/S level Biology.
• Students studying for the BTEC HND in Health are required to obtain a distinction.
Gain an overview of all the schools and colleges offering Podiatry courses at the UCAS website. Or you can contact the individual schools listed in our Podiatry Schools webpage.
Mature Students
Mature students are encouraged to apply and make up a large proportion of the intake at most schools. Each application is usually considered very much on an individual basis, but mature students are generally required to have undertaken recent academic study and hold some formal qualification focused around biology, usually to A level or equivalent standard.
If undertaking A level Biology, a mature student is often asked to obtain a minimum of a C pass.
Those doing science access courses are often required to obtain an overall pass of 65% or above. This varies enormously from course to course as there is a lot of variation in their content and of the marking systems used.
PLEASE NOTE
Entry requirements vary from school to school and you are strongly recommended to contact the schools individually.
General Points
• Some schools insist on interviewing all suitable candidates whilst others do not. So be prepared to travel for open days and interviews.
• Some schools also require you to attend for a clinical visit as well as for interview.
• Most institutions will require you to undergo some form of occupational health assessment prior to an offer of a place being given.
• You will also be required to disclose any previous criminal convictions and a CRB check is compulsary. It should be noted that some convictions will exclude you from future employment within the NHS.
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What admissions tutors look for on your application form
As well as your formal qualifications there are a number of key things admissions tutors will look for on your application form.
A very important part of the form is your personal statement. They look for clues that you have an understanding of podiatry and evidence of work shadowing a podiatrist. This can be with NHS or private, state registered practitioners. They also look for evidence of activities requiring good interpersonal skills.
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What admissions tutors look for at interview
First you need to be able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills. Communication plays an important part of the role of a podiatrist. Remember this also includes listening.
You need to demonstrate an understanding of Podiatry and the scope of practice.
You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the subject and for entering higher education.
Admissions tutors will look for evidence that you have given good consideration to your choice of course.
Remember that the interview is a two way process. Although it enables the admissions tutor to assess your suitability for the degree programme, it is also your opportunity to assess the institution. Ask questions and have a good look at the facilities. You need to be sure you will be happy there for the duration of the course and different schools appeal to different people.
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Life as a podiatry student
The podiatry undergraduate programme is very intensive and requires considerable dedication on the part of the student. As an integral part of undergraduate study, podiatry students also have to undertake 1,000 clinical hours before they can graduate.
This makes for long days at college and many evenings studying like most medically based degrees such as dentistry or physiotherapy.
Ask any podiatry student and they will tell you how demanding the course is. However, they will also tell you how much they enjoy their student life and how rewarding the clinical work is. Studying podiatry is all about getting the balance right between work and play.
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New Generations - The Changing Face of Allied Health Professionals
The Allied Health Professions Federation created the New Generations project with funding from the Department of Health and the North West London Workforce Development Confederation.
The aim of this project is to provide opportunities for young people to find out more about the roles of AHPs. As well as helping them to understand what AHPs do, we also want to show more young people that employment in any one of the many allied health professions could be open to them - offering exciting and rewarding careers.
For further information please visit www.newgenerations.org.uk
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The Health Professions Council
The Health Professions Council are the regulatory body and you must follow a course of training approved by the HPC to become a podiatrist.
In order to use the titles Chiropodist/Podiatrist and practice in the UK you must be registered with them.
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