Demand for podiatry is rising across the globe. This is due to ageing populations, as well as increased prevalence of diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions, and lower limb complications. In 2025, the Royal College of Podiatry highlighted that there are not enough podiatrists to meet this need.

Our BSc (Hons) Podiatry is ideal if you have a passion for healthcare, and you’re motivated to make a real difference to people’s lives.

It provides a solid foundation in foot and lower limb healthcare, covering:

* anatomy

* physiology

* pathology

* biomechanics.

You’ll also develop specialist expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting the foot and lower limb.

You’ll focus on theory and clinical practice, learning to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. Over four years, you’ll complete 1,000 hours of clinical experience in community clinics, hospitals and simulated learning on campus. This hands-on experience helps build your confidence and practical knowledge needed for professional practice.

Join the largest Allied Health Profession department in Scotland and study in a collaborative and supportive learning environment. You’ll be taught by experienced lecturers who are also practising clinicians. With our support, you’ll graduate ready for a rewarding and impactful career in podiatry.

We have strong relationships with every NHS board in Scotland, and an extensive list of placement providers in the public and private sectors. These real-world experiences provide valuable networking and employment opportunities.

Due to high demand, BSc (Hons) Podiatry is no longer accepting new applications for 2026 entry from students based in Scotland. Please consider applying for a future intake. If you have a query, you can contact our Enquiry team (studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk) for general guidance.

#### Why study Podiatry at GCU?

* Join an institution that excels in your subject area. GCU is ranked second in the UK for complementary therapy by the Complete University Guide 2026.

* Study on the largest podiatry course in Scotland, benefitting from strong partnerships with the NHS and private practice.

* Accumulate 1000 hours of hands-on experience throughout your degree. Every year, you’ll have clinical placements in the community, hospitals, and private practice.

* The course is accredited by the Royal College of Podiatry and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

* Master technical skills using professional podiatric equipment, learn injection skills and perform minor surgery.

## Accreditations

【96†Royal College of Podiatry arrow_forward†rcpod.org.uk】

【97†Health and Care Professions Council arrow_forward†www.hcpc-uk.org】

## What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

[Input] Year 1

【98†Anatomy and Function for Podiatrists】

【99†Fundamentals of Human Physiology】

【100†Podiatric Physiology, Inflammation and Infections】

【101†Podiatric Pathology and Diagnosis】

【102†Podiatry Practice Based Learning 1】

【103†Preparation for Professional Practice】

[Input] Year 2

【104†Community Centered Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice】

【105†Medicine for Podiatrists】

【106†Methodology and Research for Effective Practice】

【107†Musculoskeletal Function and Pathology】

【108†Podiatry Practice Based Learning 2】

【109†Surgery and Medicines POM(A)】

[Input] Year 3

【110†The At-Risk Foot And Limb】

【111†MSK Injury and Rehabilitation】

【112†Pharmacology and POM-S for Podiatrists】

【113†Podiatry Practice Based Learning 3】

【114†Leadership and Collaboration in Interprofessional Teams】

[Input] Year 4

【115†Enhanced Podiatric Practice】

【116†Readiness for Podiatry Practice】

【117†Honours Project】

【118†Podiatry Practice Based Learning 4】

We may make changes to your course, and course modules. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

#### Understanding core and optional modules

The core modules shown are based on the standard full-time route for students entering Year 1 of the course. If you study full time from Year 1, you will normally study the outlined core modules for each year of the course.

Optional modules provide opportunities to tailor your studies. You will not normally study every optional module shown and will be asked to select from the available options during your studies. Information about available options and the module selection process will be provided after you enrol. Please note that the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and is subject to factors including student demand, timetabling, staffing and academic requirements.

The module information shown is based on the standard full-time route through the course. If you study through an alternative entry or study route, including part-time study or Advanced Entry, the modules you take in each year and the order in which you study them may vary.

## Careers

Our graduates are well-placed for a variety of careers across the public and private sectors in the UK or internationally.

Many go on to work in the NHS, in roles such as podiatrist or specialist podiatrist (e.g. diabetic foot care or high-risk limb services). This could be in foot protection teams or community and primary care. Others join private clinics, sports medicine centres, wound care or diabetic foot clinics, and some start their own practice.

Some graduates also go into research, education, health-commerce, or move on to advanced clinical roles, including podiatric surgery.

This course is recognised by professional bodies in other countries, including the Podiatry Board of Australia and the Podiatry Board of New Zealand. This gives you great options to work as a podiatrist abroad.

## Course information

### Study options arrow_forward

Award | Mode of study | Duration | Start date | Location | UCAS |

BSc (Hons) | Full time | 4 years | Sep 27 | Glasgow | B985 | 【119†Enquire】【120†Apply†www.ucas.com】

### Entry requirements arrow_forward

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in 【3†our International Study section.】

#### Year 1

##### Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 102

Scottish Higher: BBBC or equivalent incl Higher in one science

A Level: BCC or equivalent incl A Level in one science

##### Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC or equivalent incl Higher in one science

A Level: CCC or equivalent incl A Level in one science

#### English language

IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent)

#### Additional requirements

Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the course and have relevant work/shadowing experience.

All admission offers are subject to an applicant successfully undergoing screening in relation to Occupational Health and Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG), and all students will require liability insurance, which can be gained, at no cost, through student membership of the College of Podiatry.

If in doubt, applicants are advised to consult with the admissions tutor for advice. Students are advised to obtain Hepatitis B, BCG, and MMR vaccinations. The school immunisation policy is advised by Health Protection Scotland, and students who refuse vaccinations may be deemed fit for practice with restrictions and may not be able to undertake certain placements. Restrictions applied to practice will be documented in the students' practice placement passport.

#### Minimum age restrictions

A student shall not normally be admitted unless he or she will have attained the age of 17 years by 31 December in the year of entry to the course.

#### Additional information for international applicants

* 【19†Entry requirements by country】

* 【121†Application deadlines】

* 【122†English language tests】

* Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the 【123†gov.uk website.†www.gov.uk】

#### Additional information for all applicants

##### Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's 【124†Recognition of Prior Learning】 (RPL) scheme.

##### Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending 【125†SWAP†www.scottishwideraccess.org】, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

### Fees and funding arrow_forward

The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. 【126†What is my student fee status?】

Fees are subject to change and are published here for guidance only.

#### Annual tuition fees

Please visit our central 【12†tuition fees section】 for details.

#### Additional costs

As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.

【127†View additional costs.】

Students are required to become members of the Royal College of Podiatry. Student Membership is free for the duration of your studies.

Additional costs for Scottish domiciled students on this programme

Scottish domiciled students, eligible for SAAS, do not need to pay for PVG checks, occupational health checks or uniforms.

You will need to consider costs for accommodation and travel while on placement. However, you may be able to apply to SAAS for additional expense support to help meet these costs.

Check out the 【128†SAAS Nursing and Midwifery student placement expenses claim†www.saas.gov.uk】 or 【128†Allied Health Professions student placement expenses claim†www.saas.gov.uk】 forms.

Additional costs for all other students (rest of UK, EU and International) on this programme

During this course, you will be required to cover the cost of:

* Accommodation and travel while on placements

* Uniforms: approximately £14 each. The number of uniforms you require depends on the duration of your course and can range from two to four.

* Occupational health checks and vaccination set fee of £372

* Membership of 【129†Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG)†www.mygov.scot】 scheme. New applications cost £59. Updates to the existing scheme record cost £18.

Invoices will be issued by the University for payment of all of the above additional costs in Trimester B (March/April) of the first year of your programme.

### Additional information arrow_forward

Teaching methods

Our learning and teaching methods ensure the course is both vocationally relevant and academically challenging. The approach is student-centred, practical, and encourages active participation. You’ll be supported to become an independent learner, developing critical thinking and professional decision-making throughout the course.

You’ll learn a wide range of hands-on clinical techniques, including the use of podiatry equipment, vascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal assessment. You’ll also be trained in injection techniques for local anaesthetics and steroids, as well as minor surgical procedures such as partial and total nail removal and chemical ablation.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods include:

* unseen examinations

* class tests

* essays

* management reports

* case studies

* presentations

* group work.

You will also undertake clinical assessments on your work with real patients to assess your clinical competencies and understanding of theory in practice. This is undertaken at your various placement sites.

Interprofessional Simulation Centre

Our Interprofessional Simulation Centre (ISC) is a state-of-the-art teaching facility where health and social care students learn through realistic, hands-on experience. It includes lifelike hospital wards, simulated home and care environments, an ambulance and specialist spaces such as X‑ray, radiotherapy and physiotherapy clinics.

Using real healthcare equipment, advanced patient manikins and video recording, you'll be able to safely practise real-life situations and review your learning. The Centre supports nursing, paramedic, allied health and social care training, helping you learn how to work across specialities while building your confidence and practical skills before working with real patients.

We use video and audio recording of students during practical exercises in our teaching and assessment. Students applying to study health-related courses should be aware that there will be times when they will be recorded. These recordings may be viewed by programme staff, students, and external examiners for learning and assessment. This is not an optional component of the course.

Accreditation

This course is approved by the Royal College of Podiatry and the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

After you complete your degree, you can apply for mandatory registration with HCPC, the statutory regulator for podiatrists in the UK. You’ll also be eligible for membership of the Royal College of Podiatry, the professional body representing podiatry practitioners in the UK.

【96†Visit the Royal College of Podiatry website†rcpod.org.uk】

Take a virtual

tour with us

【130†Start a tour†explore.gcu.ac.uk】

【131†YouTube video player†www.youtube.com】

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus of their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

【132†Download the programme specification】 for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

【133†Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.】

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