Patients who have problems with their feet or lower limbs need expert care and attention. Podiatrists are independent highly skilled professionals, able to both diagnose and treat problems affecting the feet and lower limbs. We aim to develop creative, innovative and skilled podiatric practitioners with a communicative and caring attitude towards patients. Right from the start, you’ll gain practical experience of the clinical environment, observing and working alongside skilled and experienced practitioners. Working in clinical simulation laboratories, and using the latest gait analysis equipment, you will learn how to devise and manufacture orthotics to help patients, and to diagnose and manage problems affecting the feet and lower limbs. Before applying, try to spend time with a registered podiatrist to build your knowledge of the scope and variety of work involved.

Podiatry graduates enjoy an impressive employment rate. As well as working within the NHS, you could make a career in the private sector in everything from high street retailers to sports medicine centres. You could even run your own business. GCU graduates have also gone on to pursue research activities, entered the world of health-related commerce or further developed their skills to become podiatric surgeons. Throughout the undergraduate programme employers from both NHS and the private sectors are involved on programme boards and deliver guest lectures. In the final year we run a Podiatry Employment Convention where invited speakers from both sectors and representatives from industry offer a full day of lectures and seminars including a podiatric trade exhibition. This convention provides the students with the opportunity to engage with potential employers first hand and to establish contacts which will be useful in gaining future employment. Many of our students work abroad following graduation and the exchange programme allows a taste of life overseas and the opportunity to establish contacts prior to graduation. One of our former students, now working in New Zealand said: “ultimately podiatry has given me the opportunity to fulfil my career goals as well as fulfilling my ambitions in life.”