MSc Podiatry Degree Apprenticeship (Pre-registration)

The MSc degree apprenticeship programme will provide the opportunity to study for a work-integrated masters degree whilst remaining in employment
BSc (Hons) Podiatry - image courtesy of Shutterstock

How to apply

All employer's will need to complete an Employer Capacity Assessment (ECA) to be reviewed by the Programme Lead.

Once and ECA has been approved, the potential apprentice will be required to complete an Initial Needs Assessment (INA) with the support of their employer and the University to ensure the apprenticeship programme is an appropriate solution to their skills development needs.

The employer should or can request the Initial Needs Assessment by emailing apprenticeships@plymouth.ac.uk.
Applications for September 2024 open later this year.
The submission deadline is the end of June 2024.  

Apprentices do not pay any course fees – costs are covered by the government and/or employer

Funding models for employers

We can support employers in accessing funding via the apprenticeship levy or provide alternative funding options to minimise or eradicate any up-front cost to the organisation.

There are currently two funding models:
  • Fully-funded: Levy paying organisations
  • Co-funded: Non-levy organisations and levy who have exceeded their levy contribution.

Fully-funded

If the annual pay bill of your organisation exceeds £3 million you will pay for your apprenticeship training through your levy account. If you have exceeded your levy contribution you will fund apprenticeship training through the co-funded model – to better understand how this will work please contact us.

  • Employer contribution: Employee salary only
  • Apprentices contribution: £0.

Co-funded

If you are a non-levy paying organisation (the annual pay bill of your organisation is less than £3 million) or you are a levy organisation who has exceeded their pot, the government will financially co-support your apprenticeship training – they will contribute 95 per cent of the costs and the employer will contribute five per cent.

  • Government contribution £22,800
  • Employer contribution £1200
  • Apprentice contribution £0.



DAPOD411 Practice placement 1: A clinical module where students will gain core podiatry assessment skills and knowledge of interprofessional practice in the workplace.

DAPOD511 Practice placement 2: A clinical module where apprentices will begin to develop their clinical autonomy and understanding of biomechanics.

DAPDOD512: Practice placement 3: A clinical module where apprentices become competent in nail surgery and gain the skills underpinning the care of the complex patient.

DAPOD611: Practice placement 3: A clinical module where apprentices will demonstrate competence in the range of core skills required of a entry level practitioner. Decision making and clinical reasoning abilities will be developed.

DAPOD708 Preparing for practice: Introduces the clinical environment together with critical analysis of evidence-based practice. Core concepts of anatomy and physiology will be introduced.

DAPOD709 Foundations of podiatric practice: Focusses on disorders of the skin including wounds and their management. Assessment of neurological and vascular impairment will be introduced.

DAPOD710 Patient-centred care: Explores the application of health and wellness principles when considering person-centred care. Evaluation of complex professional practice and critical analysis of the complex and dynamic nature of leadership and clinical education.

DAPOD711 Musculoskeletal conditions and applied biomechanics in the foot and lower limb: Develops in-depth exploration of the aetiology and pathology of musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle and the role of footwear/orthotic therapy using a critical and cognitive approach.

DAPOD712 Development and maturation of the lower limb: Focusses on development of the lower limb from birth to adulthood and how this influences function. Mobility and stability through the life cycle will be explored. Pathological conditions of skin and nail are further studied.

DAPOD715 Project design for research: Students, benefiting from interprofessional learning approach, will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project. By the end of the module will formulate a research proposal.

DAPOD717 Pharmacology and minor surgery: This module develops the skills and knowledge to carry out nail surgery. The pharmacological approach to patient management will be studied. On successful completion of this module, the student will achieve the Prescription Only Medicines (POM) annotation on the HCPC register.

DAPOD718 The complex patient: Students will develop skills in diagnosis and podiatric management of vulnerable and at-risk patients presenting with complex medical conditions and comorbidities.

DAPOD716 Research dissertation: This module will enable students to complete their dissertation under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

Who is this for?

Employers with a need to grow their own workforce. 
  • Develop your own HCPC qualified podiatrists efficiently and effectively by tailoring the learning to suit the needs of your workplace.
  • Whether you are in the private or public sector, a small or large organisation, this accelerated higher degree apprenticeship programme will support your apprentice to become a highly qualified podiatrist, eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC, in just two years.

How will the MSc Programme Apprentice benefit my business or organisation?

The MSc (Pre Reg apprenticeship) is producing a workforce with a higher return on your investment:

Attracting a higher calibre of applicant to work within your organisation, operating at the top of their graduate licence, 

Utilising POM qualifications and able to contribute appropriately to a more complex caseload, with the experience and skills required to practice as a podiatrist in two years, rather than the traditional three-year route.

Producing higher degree graduates with the critical thinking and leadership skills demanded to fast track their career progression into specialist / advanced job roles.

Equipped with the academic and research skills to undertake research and support keeping your organisation up to date with the latest evidence-based research.

What will be the employer responsibilities:

The employer will be expected to ensure that the apprentice:
  • Has a contract of employment that is long enough for the apprentice to complete their apprenticeship
  • Is paid at least the minimum wage appropriate to their age and job role (employers must pay the apprentice’s wages)
  • Has a role that enables them to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to achieve the apprenticeship
  • Is supported and provided with sufficient time to study (two days each week) and has access to resources they might need to succeed 
  • Is supported by clinical educators (HCPC Registered Podiatrists) to enable them to achieve the clinical skills training for HCPC registration. 
  • Is provided with sufficient clinical time (1 day per week) to meet the requirements of HCPC registration. 

Proud to be rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted 2023

Leaders and managers have ensured that the training they provide helps to meet regional and national skills priorities

Lecturers use their high levels of expertise to present information and demonstrate skills effectively

 
 

Why choose a MSc Podiatry Degree Apprenticeship?

This two-year Programme offers an accelerated route to a career in podiatry. 
Endorsed by Health Education England and designed by national and local consultation with employers to meet the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education Standards.
The programme provides a uniquely flexible alternative to traditional university study, because apprentices earn a salary and fulfil a role within the workplace whilst studying for an accelerated vocational Masters leading to eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) as a Podiatrist. 

Programme Overview

This two-year accelerated programme will develop the clinical reasoning, leadership, management, and research skills and experience to treat complex patients, to restore and maintain foot health and function, and promote progression within your Podiatry career.
The two year accelerated Podiatry masters programme is modular and divided between academic study and work-place practice:

Who is this course for?

Individuals seeking the opportunity to improve patient lives through restoring foot function and improving the mobility. 
The accelerated MSc Programme is suitable for new recruits with an existing related undergraduate degree seeking a challenging and rewarding career in Podiatry.
Podiatry skills lab
Year One
Year One modules aim to develop podiatry practice and clinical reasoning in the core areas of practice (diabetes, vascular, musculoskeletal). Within the first few months apprentices will be fully integrated into the clinical environment and able to undertake neurovascular assessments and foundation treatments for service-users. 
Year Two
Year Two of the programme allows apprentices to the develop an evidence based, patient centred capability to manage a more complex and high-risk caseload.
The research project introduced in year one, becomes the main focus as the second-year progresses.
Graduation
MSc (Pre-registration) Podiatry Graduates will be a highly skilled health professionals who can work confidently with a variety of different patients to meet the skill needs of their employer, whether private practice or the NHS.
Apprentice Support
We will be there to support you every step of the way; weekly virtual group sessions from discipline expert lecturers, 12 weekly tripartite meetings with your clinical educator and a member of our apprenticeship team to discuss your progress, as well as check-ins with your academic workplace tutor once every semester.

Areas of specialisms

  • 3Diabetes

  • 3Wound care

  • 3Paediatric biomechanics

  • 3Sports injuries

  • 3Rheumatology

  • 3Orthotic provision

  • 3Nail surgery

  • 3Rehabilitation

  • 3Biomechanics

  • 3Gait and pressure analysis

  • 3Research

  • 3Leadership and Management

Core skills

  • Specialist knowledge in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of lower limb pathologies.
  • Leadership and teamwork.
  • Analytical skills, problem solving and effective communication.
  • Research literacy.
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills.
Plymouth Raiders player visiting the podiatry team
Rear view shot of the highlighted joints in a runner's foot

Course facts

Duration: 24 months
Hours of study per week: As a guide, you should expect to study for around 24 hours for the MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) to be successful. You will have at least two days per week protected time to study. This is in addition to the one day per week supervised clinical practice you will receive each week with a designated clinical educator. 
Delivery type: Distance learning, with clinical skills taught in the workplace. 
Entry requirements: Degree from an Institution of Higher Education normally at Second class (higher division) 2:1 or above. The degree or other recognised assessed academic study should normally be completed within the last five years.
 

What our apprentices say...

  • @"A great place for discussion and interactive. Nothing was too much trouble."

  • @"You could tell our lecturer was really passionate about the subject and enjoyed teaching it."

Podiatry Degree Apprenticeship staff