Overview
Assistant Practitioners in podiatry play a vital role within modern foot health services, working under the supervision of registered podiatrists to deliver high-quality, compassionate care. This role sits at Level 5 on the national career framework and is aligned to the recognised Royal College of Podiatry Standards for the Foot Health Workforce forming an important bridge between podiatry support workers and fully registered podiatrists.
In clinical practice, Assistant Practitioners carry out a wide range of podiatry tasks, tailored to their competency and local service protocols. These may include basic and pathological nail care, callus and corn reduction (with appropriate training), assisting in MSK provision, nail‑surgery and high‑risk foot clinics, and undertaking wound re‑dressings under podiatrist delegation—though they do not manage patients with severe systemic disease. Their contribution supports smooth patient pathways, enhances clinic efficiency and enables podiatrists to focus on more complex cases.
Delivered through a comprehensive Level 5 foundation degree this course blends academic study with hands‑on, practice‑based learning over approximately 24 months. Graduates emerge with the clinical, organisational and professional skills they need to confidently support podiatry services and progress their careers within the wider healthcare workforce if they so desire.
The course has been developed in association with a wide range of national stakeholders including healthcare providers, service users and professional bodies. Its development recognises the demand locally, regionally and nationally to grow the existing podiatry support workforce offering services in both NHS and private settings.
This course offers you an exciting opportunity to train for a rewarding career, with the support of an employer. You would study part-time and work part-time. On average the you would spend up to two days a week on study activities, some of which is flexible.
The course is offered through online learning. The course involves a mixture of live online learning, asynchronous activities and independent learning, preparing for assessments etc. These asynchronous and independent learning hours can be done at a time that is convenient for your employer.
The course is designed to align to the requirements of:
Course Details
To join the Assistant Practitioner – Podiatry you will need to be employed within a podiatry support role and have the support from your employer for the practice based learning components of the course.
If you are an employer and are considering supporting one of your team to complete the course, please register your interest below and request an Expression of Interest form, and we will seek to advise you further.
The course runs over a two-year period, where you will study part-time, alongside working for your employer.
Through a combination of academic study; hands-on practice-based learning in clinical settings and mentorship, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of knowledge, skills and values required of an Assistant Practitioner.
You will learn how to work under pressure and to make important decisions in pressured environments. You will develop your ability to think critically and analytically, and you will become a resilient, evidence-based, reflective and empathetic practitioner able to respond to the complex needs of your clients, alongside the registered podiatrist that you are supporting.
Under the guidance of workplace supervisors you will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in practice with service users from various backgrounds, and where appropriate collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver excellent podiatry services.
For each unit of study, you will have a number of learning hours, this refers to the indicative learning time designed and planned for a typical learner to achieve the level of competence required to successfully achieve this course. Typical learning will include: learner contact time (live online learning) this could include problem-based seminars, workshops, skills sessions etc, tutor-guided learning, workplace planned learning hours, and independent study for you to extend your learning and prepare for assessments.
The is delivered across three trimesters each year and the course takes two years to complete.
Your academic studies include theoretical subjects which underpin the profession, including the study of biomechanics of movement, the effects of injury and the effect of various illnesses on the health of the foot and leg, and development of appropriate treatment plans
You will develop the skills to support excellent evidence-based, service-user centred care for people with diverse needs. You will also develop a strong understanding of what it means to be an assistant practitioner.
The units also align to the four domains of the podiatry career framework of: clinical practice, research, development and innovation, leadership and management and education. This ensures you will be ready to start your career and have a framework for your further professional development.
You will undertake 300 practice-based learning hours, supported by your workplace supervisor, which allows you to consolidate your academic learning and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become a reflective autonomous practitioner. This practice-based learning will take place alongside registered podiatrists.
You will become a reflective practitioner, able to critique and reflect upon your clinical practice decisions, monitor and review interventions allowing you to modify care and instigate change to improve the service as necessary.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of assessment methods, that may include:
- Written reports and essays
- Presentations
- Practical activities
- Online examinations
- Portfolio of Evidence
To be able to apply for this course you must already be employed in a suitable area that will support your practice based learning.
You will need to be working with a registered podiatrist each week. Your employer is required to support your development time, this time may be spent attending classes online or practice-based learning or undertaking self-directed study.
Why Study with Health Sciences University?
Health Sciences University is a specialist health university, delivering high quality education, research, clinical and consultancy services across allied health and related professions. The uniqueness of our institution is the combination of extensive multi-disciplinary clinical services delivery alongside excellent education and research within the same environment, so that patients and students all benefit from an integrated approach to clinical education which puts the patient at the centre. Our expertise across a range of professions is reflected in the team supporting this work.
Health Sciences University (HSU) has a focus on AHP delivery. Within our School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences we deliver several pre-registration degree apprenticeships including diagnostic radiography, dietetics, occupational therapy, podiatry and speech and language therapy. We also have a variety of non-apprenticeship postgraduate pre-registration routes for AHPs, spanning physiotherapy; speech and language therapy, occupational therapy; podiatry; and dietetics and non-apprenticeship provision for diagnostic radiography and therapeutic radiography.
Career Prospects
The Royal College of Podiatry (RCoP) has published a career framework for podiatrists, which provides guidance for the career progression for the profession. The framework is structured around the four Pillars of Practice and whole career development depends on expanding your knowledge and skills across all four pillars.
The framework encapsulates the purpose of continued professional development (CPD) learning, which can be used to keep you up to date and also tailored to your interests to further increase capabilities within particular areas.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do I need? 
What qualifications do I need?
Applicants will need Maths and English at GCSE Grade 4 (C) or equivalent and a minimum of 48 UCAS points, from at least one of the following: A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Nationals, Access to Higher Education Diploma, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualifications.
International
More information on permission to study in the UK can be found on our Visas and immigration page.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, please see our latest policies.
English Language Requirements
The requirements are for the standard equivalent to level 7.0 of the International Language Testing System, with no element below 6.5. The test covers reading, writing, listening and speaking. Alternatively, the requirements for the Occupational English Test (OET), individuals must have no individual sub-test score below 300 and an overall minimum score 1400
For further information on English language requirements, please see the dedicated English language requirements page.
Register your interest
Register your interest
To register your interest now or ask any questions about the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
