Master of Podiatry (MPod)
This four-year course will provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills that you will need to build your flexible and rewarding career as a podiatrist in the NHS or private sector. You will learn advanced practical skills on placement to allow you to develop your podiatric skills as you progress through the course.
The Master of Podiatry is an undergraduate master's course which provides an option to transfer to the BSc route at the end of Year Two.
Why QMU?
- You will be taught by experienced HCPC registered podiatrists alongside other staff who are professionally and research active in the NHS and private sector. Their applied research and professional links inform the teaching on the course, keeping it up to date with current developments in podiatry and podiatric practice.
- Learn real-world podiatry skills on placements within an NHS setting and on other practice-based opportunities with the private and third sector.
- QMU is ranked 1st among UK universities for Complementary Medicine (including Podiatry) (Complete University Guide 2023).
On this course you will:
- Learn from staff with an outstanding reputation for the quality of teaching.
- Be equipped with all the knowledge and skills that you require to work as a podiatrist.
- Develop your expertise through in-depth theoretical learning, clinical placements in each year and the close support of our very experienced staff.
- Benefit from the interprofessional working focus of this course. We aim for all our graduates to be confident in their own professional identity and have the additional skills that will allow you to work as an effective multidisciplinary team member.
As a podiatrist you will be a healthcare professional who has been trained to diagnose and treat abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. Podiatrists work with their patients to prevent and correct deformity, keeping people mobile and active, and helping to relieve pain. Podiatrists work with people of all ages, and your patients will count on you to support and help them with a broad range of mobility and medical conditions of the foot and lower limbs. These may include muscular and joint problems as well as broader health issues such as diabetes, blood disorders and disorders of the nervous system, which may involve complex wound management.
This is a four year integrated undergraduate master’s course. Students commence the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Podiatry (MPod) in four years and the eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Years Three and Four will be taught alongside postgraduate students studying on the MSc Podiatry (Pre-Registration) course. There is also an option for students to choose a BSc (Hons) route at the end of year two and they will still be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a podiatrist.
Year One
You will:
- Be introduced to anatomy and physiology.
- Study pathophysiology and microbiology, as well as beginning to learn about lower limb and foot conditions.
- Prepare for clinical practice (and your professional development journey) by developing key skills, including communication skills, and explore the professional requirements to allow you to become a podiatrist.
- Develop your academic and research skills including essay writing and how to access information to support your learning.
- Benefit from an early introduction to podiatry in the form of learning about clinical practice on placement - this provides the opportunity to allow you to integrate into the clinical environment.
Modules
- Podiatric Clinical Practice 1
- Becoming an Allied Health Professional
- Anatomy, Pathophysiology and Microbiology
- Developing Resilience of Self and Others for Professional Practice
- Physiology
- Finding Your Academic Voice
Year Two
You will:
- Undertake modules that explore human walking and musculoskeletal problems.
- Continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to influence and facilitate behaviour change.
- Further develop your academic skills by exploring how knowledge can be acquired, applied and integrated into practice.
- Learn more about medicine and pharmacology.
- Continue to develop your practical skills through further supported clinical placement.
Modules
- Podiatric Clinical Practice 2
- Mechanics of Normal and Pathological Gait
- MSK/Orthopaedics
- Health Coaching Conversations
- Developing a Spirit of Inquiry
- Pharmacology for Podiatrists
Year Three
You will:
- Enhance your critical thinking, research skills and further develop your knowledge of foot and ankle imaging modalities through the modules offered this year.
- Continue to broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion, as well as develop your key skills in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Continue to extend and strengthening your knowledge and skill in research.
- Continue to link theory and practice during a range of clinical placement opportunities.
Modules
- Podiatric Clinical Practice 3
- Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
- Diagnostic Investigations for Podiatric Practice
- Active Citizenship
- Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
- Medicine and Pathology
Year Four
You will:
- Enhance your critical thinking, research skills and further develop your knowledge of foot and ankle imaging modalities through the modules offered this year.
- Continue to broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion, as well as develop your key skills in working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Continue to extend and strengthening your knowledge and skill in research.
- Continue to link theory and practice during a range of clinical placement opportunities.
Modules
- Podiatric Clinical Practice 3
- Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
- Diagnostic Investigations for Podiatric Practice
- Active Citizenship
- Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
- Medicine and Pathology
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will learn in face-to-face and online lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. There will be a mix of classroom and online learning. Outwith timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue your own learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods (for example written and practical exams, written assignments, presentations) at the end of each module.
Placements
You will complete practice placements in each year.
Placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff.
You will attend a variety of placements within the NHS at various locations across Scotland.
QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student.
To enhance future employablity placements take place across across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
Careers
It is up to you which path to take. There are excellent clinical opportunities in the NHS and in private practice. You may wish to start up your own business, or move on to do some postgraduate research. Our alumni are currently enjoying careers in the NHS and private practice, and in the areas of sports medicine, community clinics, foot surgery and paediatrics.
Read Podiatry lecturer, Joe McIntyre's blog 'Things you might not know about a career in Podiatry'
Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables
For more information, please visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher: Standard: BBBC Minimum: BCCC
A Level: CCC
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3
International Baccalaureate: 28 points
International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 6.0
Required subjects: One science at Higher/A Level or equivalent. English and Maths at Nat 5/GCSE.
Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.
Mature/Access: Related Access course. Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information.
We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience.
Direct Entry: Not available. Relevant HN qualifications may be considered for entry to Year One.
Other requirements:
- A satisfactory criminal records check from the PVG Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required. You may be requested to be immunised against Hepatitis B.
- The cost of the PVG check and the professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. Currently the cost of the health check is funded by the Scottish Government for Scottish students only, other students are responsible for this cost. This is however subject to change should the Scottish Government change their funding policy.
Awarding body
QMU. More information is in the 'External review' section of our ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ page.
Specialist facilities film
Open Day presentation
Please note:
• The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2022) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2023. Please check back here for any updates.
• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2023/24 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• Teaching staff may be subject to change.
