Overview
Our MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) course will prepare you for eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a qualified podiatrist. Upon graduation, you’ll also be eligible to join the Royal College of Podiatry, the main professional body for podiatrists in the UK.
Developed with clinical partners and patients who use podiatry services, our Masters course provides a balance of theory and practice, with placements and practical learning embedded throughout the course.
You’ll gain skills and knowledge to practice podiatry in a range of clinical and community settings, including the NHS, private, and third-sector organisations, addressing the complex needs of patients with multiple health conditions. As well as clinical care, with specialist areas of practice including diabetes, rheumatology, orthopaedics, domiciliary care and paediatrics, you’ll have the opportunity to learn practice management principles.
Being based in Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, you’ll also have an opportunity to work with elite sporting individuals and teams.
We also host guest lectures and networking events where you can learn from experts in their field to further enhance your career prospects.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
At the end of this two-year Masters course in podiatry, you will:
- become an autonomous podiatric professional with the required knowledge, skills, attributes and values to meet the needs of people and communities;
- be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and membership of the Royal College of Podiatry;
- practice podiatry in a range of clinical and community setting, working with patients with complex podiatric and wider health needs;
- practice with an awareness of culture, equality and diversity in the communities in which you practice.
Work placements
In line with the HCPC, practical clinical placements are a core focus of this podiatry course, enabling you to practice and develop your communication, interpersonal, and clinical skills and confidence.
- You will be required to get a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical learning to demonstrate sufficient evidence to attain registration with the HCPC.
- You’ll have the opportunity to complete placements primarily in the NHS but also in private and third sector organisations.
- You’ll experience a variety of specialist areas of practice which could include diabetes, rheumatology, orthopaedics, domiciliary care, paediatrics.
Whilst we try to accommodate individual circumstances, placements can be located right across Scotland in every NHS Scotland Health Board, private and voluntary sector.
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Research overview
Our research is world-class and is recognised for its quality and innovation. In the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) analysis 100% of our research environment, 80% of our research impact and 83% of our overall research in Allied Health Professions and Nursing was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
Additional requirements
You are required to have an advanced Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) disclosure (paid by student) and an Occupational Health assessment.
Desirable knowledge and experience
- A minimum of a 2nd class honours degree in a life science.
- Evidence of human anatomy and physiology knowledge.
- Evidence of relevant shadowing, work experience or volunteering within caring professions e.g. physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, occupational therapy, care homes etc.
- Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the diverse nature of podiatry settings and express their commitment and ambition to a career within podiatry.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 67 overall with a minimum of 62 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
On the MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) you'll undertake work-based learning opportunities such as placements, collaborative projects with business or internships. You'll also have work-related learning opportunities, for instance, guest lectures, group projects, problem-based learning or simulations.
The course will help you to reflect on your own skills and attributes, develop your career management skills to plan and manage your career and network with professionals, practitioners or those in industry. You'll also participate in a range of personal development opportunities to develop skills such as communication, project management, leadership, confidence and time management.
You’ll share some modules with MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) and Master of Public Health (MPH), allowing for interprofessional learning and enriching your wider healthcare knowledge.
You’ll also be taught alongside healthcare professionals in the modules that are available for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Modules
Compulsory modules
| Anatomy and Physiology (PODP001) | 20 credits |
| Podiatric Medicine and Pathology (PODP002) | 20 credits |
| Pharmacology for Podiatrists (PODP003) | 20 credits |
| Normal and Pathological Gait (PODP004) | 20 credits |
| Musculoskeletal Medicine (PODP005) | 20 credits |
| Podiatric Clinical Skills (PODP006) | 20 credits |
| Podiatric Clinical Practice Placement 1 (PODP007) | 20 credits |
| Research Methods in Health (MPHP003) | 20 credits |
| Managing Complexity, Communication and Behaviour in Healthcare (PHYP007) | 20 credits |
| Applied Digital Healthcare Leadership and Innovation (PHYP008) | 20 credits |
| Podiatric Clinical Practice Placement 2 (PODP008) | 20 credits |
| Tissue Viability and Management of the High-Risk Foot (PODP009) | 20 credits |
| Masters Dissertation (Health) (MPHP007) | 60 credits |
Course Details
Teaching
We use a range of blended teaching methods, including:
- lectures and workshops,
- simulations and scenario-based teaching,
- group work and peer-learning,
- online videos and recorded lectures,
- practical placements,
- guest speaker series and networking.
Innovative technologies will be used within skills teaching, such as the use of virtual reality (VR) to augment and enhance your experiential learning.
Assessment
You will experience a range of different forms of assessment including practical, written, presentation and clinical tasks, which will be delivered either in-person or online.
To incorporate student perspective and a student-centred approach, you will conduct and receive a peer review.
You will also be required to submit self-evaluation to help you develop self-awareness, confidence and supportive relationships with peers, teaching staff and practice partners.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| UK and Republic of Ireland students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per year |
£10,900 |
£22,900 |
This fee is charged as an annual course fee. For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fees policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
International students may be able to gain additional funding utilising loans optimised for our international students.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Podiatrists specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of problems with a patient's feet and legs. Demand for podiatry is predicted to increase in line with the increasing burden of chronic diseases and an ageing population.
After graduating, you’ll be able to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is a requirement for employment as a fully qualified podiatrist.
Our pre-registration Masters course in podiatry will help you become a confident and proficient podiatrist, prepared to work in a variety of setting, including health centres, GP practices, hospitals and nursing homes.
You can choose to specialise in a specific area of practice which can include diabetes or podiatric surgery. You may also go on to work independently in private practice, education, and in research.
