Podiatry

Podiatry is the healthcare profession specialising in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and lower limb. Podiatrists work with patients across the full lifespan, from children with developmental foot problems to older adults managing the complications of diabetes or vascular disease, and they provide care ranging from routine nail and skin treatments to complex biomechanical assessments and surgical interventions. It is a profession that combines clinical science with direct patient care, demanding both technical skill and empathetic communication.

At the University of Northampton, this three-year full-time programme leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a qualified podiatrist. You will study anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pharmacology, and the pathology of conditions that affect the lower limb, alongside the clinical skills of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Patient care is central to the programme, with clinical placements in a variety of settings, including NHS clinics, community services, and specialist facilities, providing the supervised patient contact that enables you to develop professional confidence and clinical judgement.

The programme equips you not just with the technical knowledge but with the communication skills, professional awareness, and ethical grounding that effective healthcare practice requires.

Podiatry graduates who achieve HCPC registration work in the NHS, in private practice, in sport and exercise medicine, in the military, and in the care of people with diabetes, rheumatological conditions, and vascular disease. The profession offers diverse specialisation pathways, including biomechanics, surgery, dermatology, and high-risk foot care. Postgraduate study is an option for those wishing to develop specialist clinical expertise, research skills, or leadership capabilities within the profession.