CRICOS Code: 086123M

This program applies to students who commenced in 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

Commencement Year 2015 - 2021 - 4708.1 Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine

Commencement Year 2013 - 2014 - 4661.4 Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Podiatric Medicine

Podiatrists are best known for treating problems that people experience with their feet and lower limbs, but they are increasingly playing an important role in addressing chronic conditions such as diabetes and rheumatology. Podiatrists treat a range of patients including children, adults, workers, sportspeople and the older population. There is a focus on podiatric applications including management of common problems such as ingrown toenails or bunions, chronic disease management, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, footwear assessment and orthoses fabrication. Over the program of the program students will complete 1000 hours clinical hours inclusive of Uniclinic sessions and 19 weeks of clinical placement in a range of facilities including hospitals, community centres, private practices, and sports medicine centres, in rural and metropolitan locations. Continuing education on completion of the program can lead to opportunities for advanced practice such as restricted therapeutic prescription rights and application for training as a podiatric surgeon. The program in podiatry is offered as a 4-year Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine. The first three years of the program combine studies in podiatry with a broad understanding of biomedicine and various health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice and high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The final year focuses predominately on podiatry practice skills, practical experience and specialised areas. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 240 credit points with a 4789 Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Sciences)

Study Mode

Four years full-time.

Program Advice

Program Advice

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Location

Campus	Attendance	Mode	Advice
Campbelltown Campus	Full Time	Internal	See above

Accreditation

The Western Sydney University Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine is an accredited program of study and students are eligible to register with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. This program has been accredited by Australia and New Zealand Podiatry Accreditation Council (ANZPAC).

Inherent Requirements

There are inherent requirements for this program that you must meet in order to complete your program and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this program online.

Inherent requirements 

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

• Assumed knowledge: Any 2 units of English
• Recommended Studies: Mathematics, Physics and Biology

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test. 

Special Requirements - NSW Health Legislative Pre-requisites

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

To enrol in this program, students must meet Western Sydney University program requirements. To attend a health-related placement in this program, Special Legislative Requirements will be assessed from the first year of study.

Western Program Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your program.

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your program, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1.  Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one
2.  Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history
3.  Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements
4.  Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

• If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
• If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
• NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire program.
• Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire program - approved program providers can be found at the Government Training website
• http://training.gov.au
• Other non-health related requirements

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page (NSW students only)

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Special Requirements

In order to enrol in Second Year Spring subjects, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement subjects, students must wear the Western Sydney University podiatric medicine uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. Special note: Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves practical hands-on podiatry / lower extremity examination and treatment techniques on both genders and students will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and/or relevant academic staff. Students are also required to undertake 19 weeks of clinical placement activity which can include rural and metropolitan locations. Student must meet their own travel, accommodation and living expenses during these activities.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Plan of Study Grid

Year 1
Autumn session		Credit Points
PUBH 1006	Population Health and Society	10
NATS 1009	Human Anatomy and Physiology 1	10
REHA 1003	Introduction to Podiatry	10
HLTH 1013	Professional Competencies in Health	10
	Credit Points	40
Spring session
NATS 1010	Human Anatomy and Physiology 2	10
HLTH 1012	Evidence in Health	10
COMM 1007	Communication in Health	10
NATS 1022	Functional Anatomy	10
	Credit Points	40
Year 2
1H session
REHA 2005	Pathomechanics and Podiatric Medicine	10
	Credit Points	10
Autumn session
HLTH 2003	Biomechanics	10
HLTH 2024	Research Methods in Health	10
NATS 2038	Pathophysiology 1	10
From 2022 HLTH 2021 Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative) is replaced by HLTH 2024 Research Methods in Health
	Credit Points	30
2H session
REHA 2007	Podiatry Pre-Clinical	10
REHA 2003	Musculoskeletal Disorders and Imaging	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
NATS 3037	Neuroanatomy	10
NATS 2008	Clinical Pharmacology	10
	Credit Points	20
Year 3
1H session
REHA 3028	Podiatric Practice 1	10
REHA 4021	The High Risk Foot	10
REHA 3027	Pharmacology for Podiatrists	10
	Credit Points	30
Autumn session
PUBH 2005	Culture, Diversity and Health	10
	Credit Points	10
2H session
REHA 3029	Podiatric Practice 2	10
REHA 3030	Podiatric Surgery	10
	Credit Points	20
Spring session
BEHV 1014	Psychology and Health	10
HLTH 3005	Evidence-Based Practice	10
From 2023 HLTH 3005 is replaced by PUBH 3023 Evidence in Professional Reasoning
At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)
	Credit Points	20
Year 4
1H session
REHA 4017	Podiatric Paediatrics and Sports Medicine	10
REHA 4007	Dermatology and Gerontology	10
REHA 4018	Podiatric Practice 3	10
Select one elective		10
	Credit Points	40
2H session
REHA 4020	Podiatric Professional Practice Studies	10
REHA 4016	Podiatric Clinical Block	20
REHA 4019	Podiatric Practice 4	10
Students will exit with Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine
	Credit Points	40
	Total Credit Points	320

Replaced Subjects 

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in Autumn 2021 or earlier.

HLTH 1010 - Professional Health Competencies, replaced by HLTH 1013 Professional Competencies in Health 

HLTH 1001 - Foundations of Research and Evidence-based Practice, replaced by HLTH 1012 Evidence in Health

BIOS 1015 - Functional Anatomy, replaced by NATS 1022 Functional Anatomy 

BIOS 2029 - Pathophysiology, replaced by NATS 2038 Pathophysiology 1