Podiatrist

You'll need to complete a degree in podiatry approved by the Health and Care Professions Council .

If you already have a degree in a healthcare or science subject, you can apply for a postgraduate master's degree in podiatry. These usually take 2 years to complete.

You might be able to get extra student financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could apply to do a Podiatrist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes 4 years to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and academic study at an approved university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You could start as a podiatry assistant and study part time for a degree, or complete a degree apprenticeship, to qualify as a podiatrist.

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

Registrations

you'll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council

Career Tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would impact your work, if applying for jobs in the NHS.

Professional and Industry Bodies

You could join the Royal College of Podiatry for professional development and networking opportunities.

Further Information

You can learn more about a career in podiatry from Health Careers and the Royal College of Podiatry .

As a podiatrist, you could:

• assess patients' feet and lower legs and diagnose issues
• discuss treatment options with patients
• manage foot conditions, like those caused by diabetes
• treat foot and toe injuries
• do minor surgery using scalpels, chemicals and local anaesthetics
• run clinics and screen children for foot and ankle problems
• work closely with other health professionals like GPs and physiotherapists
• keep records, manage appointments and supervise podiatry assistants

You could work at a GP practice, at a client's home, at a health centre or in an NHS or private hospital.

You may need to wear a uniform.